Mark's reviews
Review of The Hope
13 Nov 07, 23:30
The Hope 
Situated in a perfect position on Queens Road between town and the station, The Hope is an extremely popular pub for music lovers in Brighton and has been promoting Brighton talent consistently through the years in its upstairs venue even in the days when it was Lift, so it is pretty legendary in Brighton. Full of different kinds of people, not just emos and indie-kids, it's a lovely place to go to check out quality new music in an extremely upbeat environment.
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Review of The Great Eastern
13 Nov 07, 23:19
The Great Eastern
Although there are four pubs on Trafalgar Street, The Great Eastern is by far the cosiest of them all, albeit the smallest. With a lovely antique interior with many a bookshelf of old, dusty looking books, it really feels like you're at home as soon as you walk in, and its as close to a bookshop/cafe style pub you can get really. Warm and welcoming, its not a place for when you want to go out and get wrecked, more somewhere to sit and chat with mates or just read a book. A generally older clientele.
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Review of Audio
13 Nov 07, 23:14
Audio
Audio is probably the most reputable and popular club overall in Brighton when it comes to the amount of nights it has that appeal across the board of clubbers. With all kinds of electronic music nights, gigs and its weekly gay night Dynamite Boogaloo it really has everything a club needs musically and stylistically. Although a bit on the small side for a venue this talked about and only having one room, the vibes are always running in there, its always crammed to capacity at weekends and it is certainly somewhere you'll go back if for no other reason than because everyone else does.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Grand Central
13 Nov 07, 14:40
Grand Central
Literally the first port of call when you come out of Brighton train station, you're going to enter Grand Central at one time or another whether you like it or not. Always full, especially after work and at weekends, don't be expecting a quiet drink if you go in as it's always bustling, sometimes with rather annoying groups of men in suits and trendy regulars, but the roof terrace is a lovely place to sit in the summer and definitely ups the quality of this very popular if rather overrated pub.
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Review of Free Butt Inn
13 Nov 07, 14:35
Free Butt
This place is one of the most notorious gig venues in the whole of Brighton despite its not actually being that big at all. The reason is because of the great vibes and atmosphere that are always present, and the real sense of griminess that comes with a proper gig venue. It's always playing the best of what's on offer from up-and-coming Brighton talent. Fair enough most people are absolutely wasted by the end of the night, especially the bands playing, but that's exactly what it's supposed to be like at a place like this.
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Review of International Wine
11 Nov 07, 18:07
International Wines & Beers
There is certainly not a shortage of places to buy alcohol in the Lewes Road area, one of the biggest student hubs in Brighton, but one of my favourites is International Wines & Beers simply because of its prices. You can always get silly offers on beer (by silly I mean good!) and there is generally far more on offer than in your average supermarket. Also having a great wine selection, you'll always be spoilt for choice here, and what's more you're giving money to locals, not corporations. Fab.
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Review of The Hobgoblin
11 Nov 07, 18:00
Hobgoblin
Most people have heard of the Hobgoblin range of ales and ciders by now, as they've become extremely popular in the last decade or so. As such, Hobgoblin pubs have started appearing in more places as well, and Brighton has had one for a fair while. Quite a grungy pub, but in a cool kind of way, it is always playing host to live and electronic music, and regulary has metal gigs, open mic nights and DJs playing. Still a pub overall, it retains that feel and that's why I like it.
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Review of The Lord Nelson
11 Nov 07, 17:50
The Lord Nelson
The Lord Nelson is very much reflective of many pubs in Brighton. Fairly near the top of Trafalgar Street and thus not the quickest of places to get to, it is still always busy because of its drinks, its atmosphere, and more importantly its age. With a very large selection of local ales and stouts which always attract people, its interior is very antique-looking and is like a walk into the Victorian era. Having said that, its customers are not all aged, and its clientele are very diverse. Quality and authentic.
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Review of Pavilion Gardens Cafe
11 Nov 07, 17:46
Pavilion Gardens Cafe
The Royal Pavilion has remained in Brighton for centuries along with its beautiful gardens, which unlike the building, are free to walk around and sit in all year round, which makes it all the more inviting. In the centre is a lovely cafe where you can sit and enjoy the gardens and your surroundings. Obviously it is far more busy and popular in the summer when the weather's nice, but to be honest Brightonians love it and you'll find people sitting there all year round.
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Review of Brighton Centre
11 Nov 07, 17:35
The Brighton Centre
The Brighton Centre is the largest multi-purpose venue in the whole of Brighton and its surrounding area. With scores of events taking place there all the time, from gigs to exhibitions and conferences (The Labour Party have their annual conference there each year), it is gigantic and obviously very spacious indeed. Although its exterior has been complained about due to its domineering place on the sea front's landscape (its jagged edges do it no favours) the inside can't be complained about at all.
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Review of Pressure Point
07 Nov 07, 14:16
Pressure Point
Pressure Point is both a pub, a gig venue and a club and thus encompasses almost all of what is great about going out in Brighton. The pub is downstairs, where drinks are fairly cheap and they do a special'Reggae and Roast' on Sunday that is very popular. If you go upstairs at the back you get to the club venue, which has always got great live acts and DJs during the week and at the weekend. Not pretentious in any way, you really feel comfortable at Pressure Point, which is why I like it so much.
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Review of Waikikamookau
07 Nov 07, 14:04
Wai Kika Moo Kau
A kind of cafe/restaurant/bar, Wai Kika Moo Kau is right in the heart of the North Laines, and does some of the tastiest healthy veggie food around for very reasonable prices. Always spoken of highly, it is located beautifully, has an outside area spilling onto the Laines, and also has a lovely selection of smoothies on offer. Generally colourful and healthy food, there's no way you could be bored by its menu.
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Review of Terre A Terre
07 Nov 07, 13:59
Terre a Terre
Brighton is full of restaurants, and as a result, they cater for all different niches inclduing vegetarians. Terre a Terre, just off the South Lanes, has a wonderful selection of food on its menu, and a nice amount of organic beers, wines and ciders. The decor is very upmarket as well, and you can tell that it is a popular place. Definitely not cheap, but its for you to decide whether or not its worth eating out there; nice food, but more than anything else it highlights quite how posh vegetarian restaurants can be justified to be.
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Review of Gourmet Burger Kitchen
07 Nov 07, 12:37
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
Not strictly a Brighton-only place this, but it's worth mentioning just because it is such quality grub. Situated right next to Komedia in the North Laines, it is perfectly located to always be bustling, and with such a long menu it isn't difficult to see why. What is difficult is choosing what to have with so many things on offer, but all the food is beautifully cooked and presented. Not especially healthy, but then again what burger is?!
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Review of The Font & Firkin
07 Nov 07, 12:25
The Font
Located right in the heart of Brighton's picturesque South Lanes, The Font bar used to be a church and so the interior is amazing when you walk in. With ridiculously high ceilings and two floors, the second of which is like a balcony surrounding the perimeter of the building it really is a sight to see. With a large selection of drinks and cocktails plus a food menu, it has everything you need before a night out, or just to go to enjoy with mates.
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Review of Dance 2 Records
07 Nov 07, 12:22
Dance 2
Dance 2 is more than just a record shop although you might think otherwise from the exterior. It is more like an electronic equipment shop, and sells all manner of equipment from decks to sound systems and lighting, but also has a wide range of vinyl, CD's and tape-packs. You can also buy tickets for many different nights and events in the area, and thus it is a very useful shop to go into if you want to know anything about electronic music.
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Review of The Beach
07 Nov 07, 12:18
The Beach Club
Brighton's beach front is full clubs and bars enticing the club-goer, but The Beach Club definitely comes first when it comes to size and scope. With a gorgeous interior that has beatiful brick archways and ceilings that really remind me of Fabric nightclub in London and a huge bar taking up the whole back wall, it plays host to all kinds of music and entertainment. Aside from the long queues you sometimes get (where doesn't?) its feels nice and open unlike many crammed clubs you get in Brighton.
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Review of Espressa
06 Nov 07, 17:47
Espressa
Blockbusters no longer has the monopoly on DVD rentals, as can be seen from places like Espressa. 100% automated, you simply become a member, get given a card and then you put it in the machine and are given the choice of over 5000 films and games to rent from. What's more, if you bring it back within 6 hours, it only costs you 99p! More than a bargain, this represents a new kind of rental system that is surely going to become widespread very soon, if not has done already. Superb.
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Review of Infinity Foods Co-Operative
06 Nov 07, 17:37
Infinity Foods
Infinity Foods is a wondeful place to get organic vegetarian produce that is guraranteed to be sustainble from local areas. Selling pretty much the same as you could get in say Holland and Barrett but much more, its exactly the kind of place that fits in with Brighton's progressive feel. An Infinity Foods cafe has now opened as well, so you can enjoy the same good quality food cooked with great recipes. Very Brighton.
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Review of The Hemp Shop
06 Nov 07, 17:30
The Hemp Shop
Although hemp is often considered to be the stuff of stoners and hippies, in fact it is far more useful than people think- The Hemp Shop sells all kinds of things made from hemp, from clothes to bags and shoes, and they are all very hardy products because hemp is actually a very strong material. What's more, its all organic, environmentally friendly and cheap so there's absolutely no reason why more people shouldn't be using it. A great place to go.
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Review of The Guarana Bar
06 Nov 07, 17:27
The Guarana Company
Guarana is similar to caffeine but almost three times stronger and effective, and thus has become huge in the last decade, resulting most noticably with shops like The Guarana Company. Selling all manner of products that have Guarana in them, from drinks to chocolate and even shampoo, its most definitely worth checking out even just to enlighten yourself on something that not everybody is aware of. Interesting stuff indeed.
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Review of Bills Produce Store
06 Nov 07, 13:07
Bills
Brighton is certainly not without its grocers, but no one has as good a word of mouth as Bill's. With quality organic, wholsesale produce it is literally mouth-watering and it doesn't stop there. They have their own cafe/restaurant out back that serves lush food that would tempt anyone who walked into the shop. Not that cheap, but ultimately you are giving money to locals who are sustaining local famers and the environment, and here money really does go a long way.
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Review of Royal Pavilion Tavern
06 Nov 07, 12:55
The Pav Tav
The Pavilion Tavern (or Pav Tav as everyone knows it) is special in Brighton simply because it permanently has cheap drinks prices. Whenever I go there I get pints of Kronenberg for £1.90 which is cheaper than the campus bars I used to go to! Clearly as a result of this it is very popular and usually very full but that is irrelevant if you want cheap drinks because you can just go on to somewhere else after! Good to fit into other plans with.
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Review of Bar Oregano
06 Nov 07, 12:52
Oreganos
Arguments over who makes better pizza (usually Dominos vs. Pizza Hut) will forerver continue, but if the quality was as good, wouldn't you want to give money to a local business instead? Well Oreganos is special because it is the only pizzeria/takeaway I have ever seen that makes 19" pizzas! They are absolutely huge, and obviously there are multitudes of things you can put on them, and added to the fact that there is also home delivery, I highly recommend these people!
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Review of Ocean Rooms
05 Nov 07, 13:54
Ocean Rooms
Winner of club of the year a few years back, The Ocean Rooms is not right in the middle of Brighton's club blocks, but it doesn't matter because it delivers exactly the same quality experience. With three floors of music all with different themes, you know you'll always find something that you want to listen to, and with a crisp Funktion-One sound system, you know you'll be able to enjoy it with the clearest possible sound. Definitely a varied night out.
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Review of Sejuice
05 Nov 07, 13:51
Sejuice
You might even remember this place being on Channel 4's "Risking It All" programme a couple of years ago, but having started up their own business in the notoriously competitive North Laines, Sejuice have flourished. With mouth-wateringly complicated smoothies with up to 10 different ingredients and fruit sometimes, you're spoilt for choice really. With a comfy seating area out back, its just as much for people wanting to relax as people on the go. A bonifide success in my books.
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Review of Cybercandy
05 Nov 07, 13:47
Cyber Candy
The Laines are full of weird and wonderful independent shops that just entice you into them, and Cyber Candy is no different. Boasting hundreds of different sweets and snacks, mostly from America, you are literally treated from the minute you walk in. Colourful and indulgent, its hard not to want to buy it all, and unfortunately, with the prices, you wouldn't be able to anyway. But you'll find things in there you won't get anywhere else in Brighton, if not England. Unique.
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Review of Concorde 2
05 Nov 07, 13:42
Concorde 2
Both a gig and club venue, Concorde 2 thus appeals to all kinds of audiences in Brighton. Right up the end of Madeira Drive on the sea front, it is a good walk to get there, but it doesn't disappoint. Very large and long, with a huge stage, and chill out bar in front, it plays host to multitudes of nights, artists, bands and other forms of entertainment, and it is always busy if not full to capacity on the weekends. One of the largest clubs in Brighton, its definitely worth checking out.
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Review of Prince Albert
02 Nov 07, 13:53
The Prince Albert
The Prince Albert is situated right at the top of Trafalgar Street round the corner from Brighton train station and such, metaphorically as well as literally it is the first place to go when you get to Brighton. And quite rightly so. With a lovely pub downstairs that has a wacky layout with two separate closed off rooms that you can sit in that makes you feel like you're at home, and a great gig venue upstairs that has played for the likes of Skunk Anansie, The Kooks and Arcade Fire, it's an all round yes for pub/gig goers.
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Review of Riki Tiks
02 Nov 07, 13:43
Riki Tik
Riki Tik is a bit of a tardis from the outside. Located in the bustling North Laines, the front is tiny to look at, but when you go inside it opens out into a very spacious lounge bar. Plush and refined but not over-indulgent, it has a great selection of drinks and cocktails and has also started serving Thai food on its menu to spice things up. Not cheap but then again few bars are in Brighton, and this has definitely got a less egotistical feel to it. Also open very late at weekends.
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Review of Digital
30 Oct 07, 15:36
Digital
A brand new club for Brighton, Digital has taken over the occupancy of the transitory Zap club, and changed the vibe ten-fold. No longer having the cheesy 80's/90's pop marathons that Zap was known for, Digital brings the best in electronic music of all genres with a brand new Funktion-One sound-system to go along with it. It's also been completely refurbished and is positively plush! Clearly, there's always going to be some music you don't like, but there's enough to cater to any musically-orientated clubber for at least one night a week.
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Review of The Jazz Place
30 Oct 07, 15:27
The Jazz Place/The Loft
Encompassing two different venues, this'double-club' is beautifully located on Ship Street just off the sea front and is home to a vast array of musical styles from live to electronic. With cheap drinks offers always available and homegrown Brighton talent to see most nights of the week, its a great place to check out if you want to know whats going on in Brighton's musical scenes. Not glitzy or glamorous, it's raw Brighton.
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Review of Hectors's House
30 Oct 07, 15:22
Hector's House
Located right near the sea front opposite the Pavilion, and with very late opening hours (3 at weekends and 1 during the week), Hector's House is always bustling with the younger crowds before club nights. With loads of room to sit, a stage that regularly plays live music, and a raised DJ booth that houses many different resident music nights, Hector's is a very popular place to check out before you head on to clubs that still manages to avoid the trendy facade and clientele that many pre-club bars so annoyingly retain.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of The Gladstone
30 Oct 07, 14:47
The Gladstone
Brighton certainly doesn't have a lack of pubs and bars, but it is nice to have local pubs that are worth going back to because of their quality and atmosphere. The Gladstone is nice and spacious with a huge beer garden, has a nice range of drinks and also has a interesting, varied menu depending on the day of the week. With warm, pleasant lighting it is a great place to drink and chill, and even when it is busy, is doesn't feel cramped, which a lots of pubs in Brighton do feel like.
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Review of Pablo's
27 Oct 07, 14:13
Pablo's
Eating out cheap is often quite a struggle in Brighton with its emphasis on quality and class, but Pablo's is different. With three menu options for only £2.50 and the rest of the menu around a fiver, it really does catch your attention when you walk past, and none of the quality is left out of the food because of its cheapness. Definitely somewhere you'd go back to, and with a friendly atmosphere, Pablo's is an idea that should really be used more often.
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Review of Richer Sounds
27 Oct 07, 14:09
Richer Sounds
If you want good quality electronics at affordable prices then Richer Sounds is the place to go. With a wide range of TVs, speakers, sound systems and other household gadgets, it really has everything you'd need in your home. Plus, the staff are really nice, and wouldn't you rather help fund local businesses? The quality of goods and customer service is as good if not better than larger competitors.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Casablanca Jazz Club
27 Oct 07, 13:55
Casablancas
Brighton caters for every kind of musical genre you can think of, and Casablancas ticks the box for Jazz like no other. With an admittedly cheesy upstairs repetoire on most days, it is downstairs that the Jazz club vibe really kicks off. With live bands playing all the time, and with that intimate feel that is essential for a Jazz club to work, Casablancas is the place to be if you want funk and soul in your music without Fatboy Slim.
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Review of The Brighton Dome
27 Oct 07, 13:50
The Brighton Dome
The Dome is the home of live entertainment from the who's who of today. Second only (in size) to The Brighton Centre, The Dome puts on gigs, plays, stand-ups, orchestras you name it. Very large but yet still having a cosy feel, The Dome is the best place to see you favourite bands because despite its size it feels more intimate than other grander, yet more distant feeling venues.
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Review of The Mash Tun
27 Oct 07, 13:45
Mash Tun
Located perfectly in the centre of Brighton, and offering one of the best outdoor seating areas Brighton has to offer, Mash Tun is a hub for students and pre-clubbers. It also has a quirky upstairs lounge area with cool looking furniture. But more than anything else, as its name suggests, it serves tasty grub (bangers and mash need I say), at surpirsingly reasonable prices for Brighton.
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Review of Taj The Grocer
27 Oct 07, 13:36
Taj The Grocer
Taj is the best place in Brighton to go to when it comes to fresh, organic, wholesale produce for affordable prices. With wide ranges of organic fruit and vegetables, and other products, it is a haven for healthy living. Now with two stores open, one in Hove and one in Kemptown, its notoriety is undebated, and it really is where quality and source matter.
0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
Review of Kensington Cafe
24 Oct 07, 20:57
Kensington Gardens Cafe
Tucked away in Kensington Gardens in the North Laines, The Gardens cafe is quint-essential Brighton. With its quirky artwork throughout, a lovely upstairs balcony looking down on the lanes, and a menu that takes up two whole walls, it is definitely a place you would come back to for its good vibes and comfortable feel.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Pennywise
24 Oct 07, 20:51
Pennywise
The discount shop has always been the haven of the student, the place where money really does go a long way, and Pennywise, situated on Lewes Road right in the middle of studentville is no different. Selling all manner of things from food to household goods, equipment, tools and stationery, it really is unbeatable when it comes to practicality.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Grubbs Burgers
24 Oct 07, 20:48
Grubbs
Grubbs is an infamous establishment in Brighton simply because it is a rarity in fast-food-esque outlets in that it caters for vegetarians in equal measure to meat-eaters in its menu. All types of burger are available in beef and veggie, thus it appeals to a far higher populus; add that to the fact that the flavours of burger are extremely varied and absoutely delicious and reasonable in price compared to commercial competitors, and you have a unique and tasty place to pop into! They even have a Grubbs Diner now!
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.