Cosmopolitan? Yes. Funky? Yes. Atmospheric? Definitely.
Tucked under the Victorian Arches, on Brighton beach, the ‘Fortune of War’ bar is the place to go.
Hip at any time – but give it a whirl on the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, and you will not regret it.
Buy a good hot mulled wine or two to get into the festive spirit and then walk down to Madeira Drive to watch Brighton’s annual ‘Burning the Clocks’. Amazing and unique, paper and willow lanterns, in all shapes and sizes, are carried in a parade through the city, illuminating the spectators, and then burnt on the beach. Tradition has it that all the hopes and dreams of the lantern makers are passed into the fire.
Followed by a great firework display over the sea, the festive mood has been set, so back inside for another mulled wine or two. Happy Christmas!

157 Kings Road Arches
Brighton and Hove BN1 1NB
+44(0)1273 205065
Google map: bit.ly/vEzlSw

Burning the Clocks
www.visitbrighton.com/whats-on/burning-the-clocks-p372371

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It has the most incredibly friendly staff. They will help will all sorts of things, not just waitering, and the chips come in little silver buckets. They also know the area and can tell you where to windsurf, theatre etc. The food is inventive, healthy and cheap, and the range of coffees is superb! I've joined the local poetry group escapeshute who meet there once a month (the date changes but you can find it on their website) and I've just discovered you can book either the downstairs or upstairs room if you're having an event. I find that if I sit in the first few seats near the doorway people at neighbouring tables will strike up a conversation with me as a matter of course! Definitely a supportive environment for anyone new to Brighton. And they have free WiFi. Enjoy!

www.kobauk.com/
135 Western rd, Brighton, East Sussex BN3 4FF
+44(0)1273 720059
Google map: bit.ly/v7pxiv

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Brighton has been a home for embracing all things weird and wonderful for years. Every year hirsute gentlemen enter the World Mustache Championships held in the city and those who want to show a bit more can join the annual naked bike ride. Most unusually the musical among us can enter The UK Air Guitar Championships held in a local club. Want weird and wonderful? Come to Brighton!

www.visitbrighton.com
Google map: bit.ly/raKjtN

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Red Veg is where vegetarians and vegans should go when they are craving some fast food - burgers, hot dogs, fries, wedges, falafels and even cake too. It is really reasonably priced and you can eat in or take away. It is as simple as that really ... don't miss the spicy babycorn firesticks!

21 Gardner Street, Brighton, BN1 1UP
+44(0)1273 679910
www.redveg.com
Google map: bit.ly/hSSoYJ

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Aloka is a unique and totally raw food restaurant in the evenings 6pm-9.30pm. You have got to taste anything to do with chocolate it's so heavenly. This is the only raw food place in town - I wish there were more. Great for an alternative healthy way of living, if you're not a fan of the gym! During the day/lunch time down stairs its vegan raw and cooked food. I have never tasted such different sensations in all my life. The head chef Felix Schoener is amazing.

14 East St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1HP
+44(0)1273 823 178
www.aloka.aura-soma.net/
Google map: bit.ly/dYigWm

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Down a slightly dodgier backstreet of Brighton is this small family run Indian veggie restaurant. With the staff walking around barefoot and small children being taken to bed, it really feels like someone's living room. The food is unlike any other Indian I have ever been to, the best being mouth watering pea and paneer curry and simple but delicious Mumbai potatoes. The most amazing thing of all about Planet India is that you can have your meal in half portions, meaning you can try two different dishes each time.

4-5 Richmond Parade, Brighton, BN2 9PH
+44(0)1273 818 149
Google map: bit.ly/dF9e58

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Fine-dining restaurant and cocktail bar. Fabulous food, cocktails and staff.

www.themedicinechest.co.uk
51-55 Brunswick Street East, Hove
East Sussex BN3 1AU
+44(0)1273 770002
Google map: bit.ly/fSe3aq

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Billie's cafe in Brighton definitely sells the best cooked breakfast in town. The jumbo breakfast is one of the cheapest in town and the most generous. Two bits of bacon, two eggs, two sausages, whole button mushrooms, two slices of toasted bread, beans, a whole tomato and excellent quality produce! Yes, I've been there a few times and tasted the comparisons. Run by a local family it retains the charm it has had since opening with the same folding wooden chairs, blue gingham PVC tablecloths, fresh flowers on the tables and in true Brighton style, local artwork on the walls. The prices and quantity have remained consistent as profit is not the objective, just a good honest breakfast. And if you don't fancy the classic, there are a number of delicious hashes to choose from. Literally a pile of fried potatoes with various toppings from beans and sausages to bacon and avocado. There are plenty of veggie options too. The best news is it is open on New Year’s Day. But get there early, this is a popular spot and the locals all know about it.

34 Hampton Place, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 3DD
+44(0)1273 774 386
Google map: bit.ly/i77cIM

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HappyCow is a place to find an updated list of vegetarian restaurants in Brighton.
www.happycow.net/europe/england/brighton/

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I went here the other day and felt like I just had to post about it. It is a great little pizzeria / deli, but if you love great pizza you should really check it out. We had a pizza with wild boar (£8) which was delicious! I can't wait to get back to Brighton just to try out the rest of the menu. They have a great oven in there too.

www.pizzafacepizza.co.uk/

35 St George's Road, Kemptown Brighton
01273 669 082

Google map: tinyurl.com/y8rckbz

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Great guest house in Brighton where the owner has also written a very funny (and interesting) book about the life of a B&B owner.
After an enjoyable stay, located perfectly just off the seafront in Kemp Town, we bought a copy of the book directly from the owner (and author). Laugh out loud funny in many places!

Aquarium Guest House
13 Madeira Place
Brighton
BN2 1TN

www.aquarium-guesthouse.co.uk
01273 605761
Brighton

Google map: tinyurl.com/yahkb4j

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This 24-hour diner on the promenade is the city's late-night mecca, with hungry night owls packing the tables from pub closing until the wee hours. As well as the ass-day breakfast, the usual starchy essentials needed to soak up an evening's imdulgence are offered: pizza, burgers, Jacket spuds. In summer the front windows open to allow the sea breeze in. In winter the place fills with the smell of frying and the chatter of party-goers determined to eke out their night on the tiles.

46-48 Kings Road
www.buddies24hour.net
01273 323 600

Google map: tinyurl.com/ygmqxud

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I feel very lucky to live close to The Foredown Tower, which is home to one of only two operational camera obscuras in South East England. A camera obscura is an unusual optical device that is used to observe the landscape, sun and sky.

The building, an Edwardian water tower built in 1909, is of architectural interest and has been converted with considerable care to preserve many original features.

www.foredown.virtualmuseum.info

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The Robin Hood is my favourite pub in Brighton. It's cosy, friendly and they've got a great wine list. The beers are always good too. They do basic food like pizzas, have a Wii, loads of boardgames and a free computer. It's always been one of my favourites, but I've just found out that they give all their proffits to charity. Sounds like a perfect excuse for another glass of wine! It is a bit out of the way, but well worth checking out.

1-3 Norfolk Place
Brighton
Just off western road, near norfolk square

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Beautiful shop, amazing clothes and the most helpful staff I have ever come across. Can't wait to get down to Brighton again for a cheeky weekend away just so i can spend some money in here again.

32 Ship Street
Brighton
www.peggsandson.com

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The Great Escape is the perfect place to see a host of new bands. 50% cheaper and 50% longer than the Camden Queue aka Camden Crawl, this place isn't without the queues but does have one advantage- you will actually get in somewhere!
If you don't want to wait two hours to see your favourite band for the 10th time then just stop in at the nearest venue not at capacity and take a gamble. you never know ...
And the top tip for the next day before it's time to do it all again? Doze off the hangover on the beach instead of in your b&b, then head up to Bills for all sorts of organic and tasty treats. Better than a north london kebab anyday.

Various venues in Brighton.
www.escapegreat.com

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Kemp Townhouse is a small and very stylish boutique hotel in a great location in Brighton. While not the cheapest in town it offers extremely good value for quality, comfort and elegance. It is also has the best breakfast I've ever eaten! I'd recommend this for anyone looking for affordable luxury in Brighton

www.kemptownhouse.com
01273 681 400
5 mins cab ride from Brighton mainline station, and five minutes walk along the seafront from the pier

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Top notch takeaway chippie. It comes into its own, though, when you eat in. The decor is plain, but you have a choice of the freshest fish sourced locally and cooked to perfection. I'd challenge anyone to go away hungry, and they have a BYO policy. So delicious fish washed down with cold beers from the Co-op down the road. Budget heaven!

22-23 Baker St, off London Road;
tel: 01273 681 256

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