The Venue

 

Hotel Address:

Kings Road Brighton East Sussex BN1 1NR United Kingdom
T: 01273 329001 F: 01273 820718
 


Old Ship Hotel

 


Plenty to see & do

Upcoming highlights

Clinic

10 Apr 2008

Clinic are on tour coinciding with the release of new album, Do It!. This date is at Audio in Brighton.

 

The Ipanemas

20 Apr 2008

The Ipanemas play at the Komedia in Brighton as part of a UK tour in support of new album The Call of the Gods.

 

Screamers

Apr 2008 (monthly)

Screamers is Brighton's monthly gay comedy night, often featuring Tina C, the country & western drag star who introduces a star-studded bill.

 

Girls Aloud

13 May 2008

Top girl group Girls Aloud bring luscious harmonies to the Brighton Centre as part of a UK arena tour in support of new album, Tangled Up, featuring the quintet's 16th successive top ten single - Sexy! No No No...

 

Brighton Festival

3 - 25 May 2008 (annual)

Every May, Brighton becomes a festival city for three weeks as everything from opera to stand-up comedy, readings, screenings and street theatre takes over indoor and outdoor venues.

 

Life in Death: The Victorian Art of Taxidermy

16 Jun 2007 - 15 Jun 2008; not Thu

The Booth Museum puts the practice of taxidermy into context, highlighting its appeal in the light of the Victorians' way of life.

 

The Barlow Collection

1 Sep 2007 - 31 Jul 2008; Tue and Thu only (annual)

The Barlow Collection at the University of Brighton is a unique collection of Chinese works of art from the 12th century BC to the 18th century AD. It includes outstanding examples of archaic ritual bronze vessels, pottery tomb figures and burial vessels, fine porcelains, carved jades as well as a number of Korean celadon wares. There are several exhibitions through the year.

 

Brighton Pride Festival & Parade

Jul - Aug 2008 (annual)

Brighton Pride takes over the town for a week in summer, culminating in a flamboyant parade from the seafront to Preston Park on the final Saturday and street parties on St James's St.

 

Ace Café Reunion

Sep 2008 (annual)

Disciples of chrome and leather descend on Brighton's centre for the annual celebration of biking and the original Ace Café on London's North Circular. Up to 40,000 sparkling machines get involved, after a weekend of celebrating in London.

 

UK Air Guitar Championships

Sep 2008 (annual)

Flex those fingertips and dig deep into the wardrobe to find your spandex pants. This heat of the UK Air Guitar Championships is at Brighton's Concorde 2.

 

What's happening every day

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery

Daily; not Mon

The Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, situated in the cultural heart of the city opposite the Royal Pavillion, boasts fine collections of fashion, art and design and an impressive display of Art Deco and Art Nouveau.

 

Hove Lagoon

Daily

Have you ever fancied learning how to sail, windsurf or drive a powerboat? Now you can, at Hove Lagoon in Brighton, where friendly, professional instructors offer short or long courses. Kids can enjoy fun-packed Activity Weeks during the summer or half-term to learn windsurfing, sailing, land and team sports and games.

 

Gardner Arts Centre

Daily

Located within the grounds of the University of Sussex, the Gardner Arts Centre is a performing arts and film venue with a capacity of 482. Presenting a wealth of diverse acts and productions throughout the year, the centre also showcases all the best movies, from Hollywood to Bollywood.

 

Royal Pavilion

Daily

Just behind Brighton's seafront, the Royal Pavilion rises like a mirage of Eastern exoticism. It is set in lush gardens, and the ornate interior features gilded dragons, carved palm trees and imitation bamboo staircases.

 

Joogleberry Playhouse

Daily

With a mission to spread a little "Joogleberry magic" to the world, the Joogleberry Playhouse offers a lively mix of cabaret, jazz, folk, flamenco and lots more in a renovated listed building in the heart of Brighton.

 

Komedia

Daily

Komedia is a popular arts venue in the North Laine cultural district in Brighton. Divided into two areas, Komedia Upstairs presents theatre, cabaret, music and children's shows, while Komedia Downstairs is home to the Kronenbourg Krater Comedy Club.

 

Brighton Marina

Daily

Brighton Marina is one of the city's main attractions and home to Brighton's only designer outlet shopping centre. The marina itself is home to around 1600 yachts and offers pleasure boat tours, sailing, fishing and diving.

 

Snooper's Paradise

Daily

Brighton's North Laine is the perfect place for a spot of antique hunting. Head to Snooper's Paradise on Kensington Gardens to pick your way through a jumble of retro furniture, curious knick-knacks and vintage odds and ends.

 

The Lanes

Daily

Nowadays The Lanes is a shopper's paradise, but the densely packed collection of narrow streets and alleyways (and the catcreeps and twittens that connect them) originally made up the fishing village of Brighthelmstone - Brighton in a former life.

 

The Brighton Toy and Model Museum

Daily; not Mon or Sun

The Brighton Toy and Model Museum houses the priceless tin-plate O-Gauge working railway, along with 10,000 other exhibits.

 

Brighton Beachfront

Daily

Brighton beachfront is the heart of this buzzing seaside city. It stretches from Brighton Pier, with its bumper cars and Victorian games arcade, to the ghostly West Pier, now partially subsided into the waters after a huge fire.

 

Preston Park

Daily

Preston Park covers 63 acres, with a formal rose garden, six bowling greens and 12 tennis courts, plus a children's playground, a croquet lawn, a garden for the blind and a small pond with stepping stones.

 

Revenge

Daily

Brighton's biggest gay club, Revenge is an award-winning venue in a superb location that packs out weekly with a variety of nights.

 

Nudist Beach

Daily

When the sun shines, bottoms are bared on Brighton's nudist beach, at the far end of the seafront, between Peter Pan's playground and the Marina.

 

North Laine

Daily

The North Laine shopping area (just north of Brighton's city centre) is the reason Brighton has a strong reputation for non-chain, owner-run quirky shops. With over 350 outlets selling everything from percussion instruments to crystals, juggling balls and Latin American furniture, shopping here is an integral part of Brighton's appeal.

 

Jubilee Library

Daily; not Sun

Opened on World Book Day in March 2005, the Jubilee Library in Brighton sets a green example by running only on renewable energy sources. The Sound and Vision area houses an impressive collection of world cinema and music.

 

Sea Life Centre

Daily

Believe it or not, Brighton's Sea Life Centre is the oldest aquarium in the world. Once a humble arena with rickety chairs and seals juggling balls on their noses, it has undergone a serious revamp and now boasts hi-tech attractions.

 

Ocean Rooms

Daily

Spanning three levels, Brighton's Ocean Rooms is one of the most sophisticated nightspots in town. Choose between the Live Lounge, Social Club and the main dance space, dubbed the Funktion Suite.

 

Evolution Arts & Natural Health Centre

Daily

If you've been promising yourself time to take up an extracurricular course of any kind, try the Evolution Centre in Brighton. From African drumming to life drawing and massage, there's very little on the arts and natural health front that you can't get your teeth into.

 

The Cricketers

Daily

Brighton's oldest pub, The Cricketers offers real ale and a relaxed atmosphere in the heart of The Lanes. Originally patronised by local fishermen, it is packed with random pub paraphernalia and decorated with an abundance of brass.

 

The Honey Club

Daily; not Tue

Some of the biggest names in clubland appear at Brighton's two-roomed Honey Club, which provides a varied selection of music throughout the week.

 

What's happening monthly

Screamers

Apr 2008 (monthly)

Screamers is Brighton's monthly gay comedy night, often featuring Tina C, the country & western drag star who introduces a star-studded bill.

 

What's happening yearly

World Beard & Moustache Championships

Sep 2008 (annual)

The World Beard and Moustache Championships is a biennial event participated by beard and moustache wearers from all over the world. A different country hosts the event as decided by The World Beard & Moustache Association each year with the Brighton Centre hosting 2007 bristly spectacular.

 

Volk's Railway

21 Mar - 14 Sep 2008 (annual)

The Volks Railway can carry up to 40 passengers for about a mile along Brighton beach and is a lovely way to get to the Marina from the centre of town.

 

UK Air Guitar Championships

Sep 2008 (annual)

Flex those fingertips and dig deep into the wardrobe to find your spandex pants. This heat of the UK Air Guitar Championships is at Brighton's Concorde 2.

 

The Great Escape Festival

15 - 17 May 2008 (annual)

T-Mobile Street Gigs join forces with The Great Escape for a bigger, better version of last year's new music festival. Bands from all over the world take over Brighton's venues, both big and secret...

 

The Barlow Collection

1 Sep 2007 - 31 Jul 2008; Tue and Thu only (annual)

The Barlow Collection at the University of Brighton is a unique collection of Chinese works of art from the 12th century BC to the 18th century AD. It includes outstanding examples of archaic ritual bronze vessels, pottery tomb figures and burial vessels, fine porcelains, carved jades as well as a number of Korean celadon wares. There are several exhibitions through the year.

 

Speedway

Dec 2008 (annual)

The annual Brighton Bonanza brings indoor speedway racing to the Brighton Centre.

 

Sand Sculpture Festival

Jun - Sep 2008 (annual)

Around 60 international artists congregate in Brighton this summer for one of the world's largest sand sculpture festivals. The Marina is set to become home to the Colosseum and many other historical images of ancient Rome, carved out of sand and secured with water, which can easily withstand winds up to Force 7.

 

Rock 'n' Gem Show

Nov 2008 (annual)

Scores of crystal, mineral, fossil and gemstone experts gather at Brighton Racecourse for two days devoted to some of planet Earth's more interesting offerings, as well as giving tips on what crystals can do for your mind, body and soul.

 

Regency Banquet

Sep 2008 (annual)

The Regency Banquet is the only fully costumed event which takes place in the stunning setting of the Banqueting Room at the Royal Pavilion. Diners dress in authentic Regency period costume and are hosted by the Prince Regent himself.

 

Red Party

Dec 2008 (annual)

Wild Fruit's annual fundraising Red Party at TRU Brighton fills three rooms with scarlet hues. PA Booty Luv, DJ Prok & Finch and around ten guest DJs are a few of the highlights in 2007.

 

Preston Manor

1 Apr - 30 Sep 2008; not Mon (annual)

Preston Manor is one of Brighton's hidden gems - a perfectly-preserved Edwardian manor house which the public can explore. It is as if the family have just popped out and you are snooping around their home.

 

National Speed Trials

Sep 2008 (annual)

Arguably the oldest motoring competition in the UK, the Brighton Speed Trials are a feast for the eyes of any petrol head. Cars and bikes of all shapes and sizes fill every inch of Madeira Drive, near Brighton Pier, from the oldest veterans to the newest of the Max Power Mob. Various prizes are awarded, including one for the fastest 100m sprint on wheels!

 

Modelworld

Feb 2009 (annual)

Don't expect to meet Kate Moss during this event at the Brighton Centre. Instead, watch out for roaming robots, miniature railways and radio-controlled cars. Yes, it's that kind of modelling.

 

Magners Paramount Comedy Festival

Oct 2008 (annual)

Fresh on the heels of Edinburgh Fringe, Brighton hosts the Magners Paramount Comedy Festival, its own homage to all things funny. The Dome venues play host to performances including Grumpy Old Women, Ross Noble, Andy Parsons, Jo Caulfield, Lucy Porter and Sean Hughes.

 

Loop Festival

Aug 2008 (annual)

Brighton hosts a new all-dayer event this summer, Loop, in Victoria Gardens. Confirmed to appear include Foals, The Aliens, The Bays, Husky Rescue, Metronomy, Bonobo, Mira Calix, Clark, The Go! Team, Icarus, Ultre and David E Sugar. More acts will be confirmed nearer to the event.

 

London to Brighton Bike Ride

15 Jun 2008 (annual)

Every year around 27,000 riders take part in Europe's biggest fund-raising cycling event, pedalling all the way from London to Brighton on the south coast - a distance of 58 miles.

 

Joogleberry New Year's Eve Spectacular

Dec 2008 (annual)

Joogleberry Playhouse hosts its annual New Year's Eve bash, presenting a bawdy cabaret of sketches, comedy and musical tributes, plus a free glass of bubbly at midnight. Fancy dress is preferred but not essential.

 

Festive Fayre

Dec 2008 (annual)

Brighton Marina gets into the spirit of Christmas with a two-day event offering festive gifts and food.

 

Festival of Fiery Foods

Sep 2008 (annual)

The Festival of Fiery Foods at Brighton's Ovingdean Hall School offers a huge variety of hot and spicy food and drinks from around the globe. It's your chance to try nature's napalm, if you can stomach it.

 

Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts

Feb 2009 (annual)

The Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts show at the Brighton Centre welcomes 150 exhibitors selling card-making supplies, fabric, yarn, sewing machines, patchwork & quilting accessories, books, tapestry and art materials. There's also a full lecture programme.

 

Burning The Clocks

Dec 2008 (annual)

The annual Burning The Clocks event in Brighton includes a children's lantern parade through the city centre and finishes with a firework display on the beach next to Madeira Drive. Many of the paper lanterns are burnt too.

 

Bump, Baby & Beyond

Nov 2008 (annual)

Nappies, buggies, cots, feeding equipment, car-seats, play-mats, you name it, the Bump, Baby & Beyond show at the Brighton Racecourse has everything on offer to entertain and nurture your little one, as well as plenty for expectant mothers...

 

Brighton Science Festival

Feb - Mar 2009 (annual)

Brighton's Science Festival takes over a number of city venues every February. There are plenty of activities for families, including Bright Sparks Day, White Heat Day and Science Magic..

 

Brighton Royal Pavilion Wedding Fair

Feb 2009 (annual)

Held in the elegant setting of Brighton's Royal Pavilion, this wedding fair showcases all you need for your big day - dresses, caterers, marquees and honeymoon ideas included. There are also fashion shows every morning and afternoon.

 

Brighton Pride Festival & Parade

Jul - Aug 2008 (annual)

Brighton Pride takes over the town for a week in summer, culminating in a flamboyant parade from the seafront to Preston Park on the final Saturday and street parties on St James's St.

 

Brighton Frocks

14 Jun 2008 (annual)

Brighton Frocks presents local designers at St George's Church. The event is held annually to celebrate the diversity of Brigton fashion, seeking national recognition for local designers and aiming to put the city on the UK fashion map.

 

Brighton Fringe Festival

3 - 26 May 2008 (annual)

Every year, venues across Brighton play host to the annual arts festival and its accompanying fringe. The range of events continues to expand, taking in everything from circus to exhibitions, classical concerts, club nights and street theatre.

 

Brighton Festival

3 - 25 May 2008 (annual)

Every May, Brighton becomes a festival city for three weeks as everything from opera to stand-up comedy, readings, screenings and street theatre takes over indoor and outdoor venues.

 

Brighton Early Music Festival

Oct 2008 (annual)

Brighton's annual Early Music Festival takes place in venues all over town with the 2007 theme being "Improvisations and Transformations".

 

Brighton 10K

Nov 2008 (annual)

The Brighton 10K is one of the fastest 10km routes in England and has the Victorian city of Brighton & Hove as its scenic backdrop. Two thousand people take part, with both elite runners and joggers enjoying the out-and-back seafront route - all off-road or on traffic-free roads. The race starts and finishes on Madeira Drive.

 

Brighton & Hove Food & Drink Festival

Sep 2008 (annual)

The Brighton & Hove Food & Drink festival celebrates the best of food and drink in Sussex for the fifth time. Local delicacies will be the star of the show, with special events taking place across Brighton and Hove including markets, live demonstrations and competitions.

 

Big Bang Fireworks Event

Nov 2008 (annual)

Brighton Racecourse celebrates Guy Fawkes Night with lots of pyrotechnics, music and fun for all the family.

 

Ace Café Reunion

Sep 2008 (annual)

Disciples of chrome and leather descend on Brighton's centre for the annual celebration of biking and the original Ace Café on London's North Circular. Up to 40,000 sparkling machines get involved, after a weekend of celebrating in London.

 

What's happening every two years

Brighton Photo Fringe

Oct - Nov 2008 (biennial)

The Brighton Photo Fringe runs in parallel with the Brighton Photo Biennial, using the increased awareness of photography in the media and public to create opportunities for photographers that are based in Brighton and surrounding areas. Exhibitions take place all over Brighton, Hove and Shoreham.

 

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