Brighton, Where to go?

Booked a last minute hotel room at the Sea Spray in Brighton for a midweek break as they had a great offer on.  I have never been to Brighton before.  Can anyone recommend some good sites to see, restaurants, bars to visit and so fourth....

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee I am excited! 

Just stroll around...

-Go on the pier and play on the arcades and the funfair
-Wander around the pavillion, going inside if the weather is bad, it's a crazy building
-Head up to Kemptown for the cool bars
-Check out www.beerintheevening.com for pubs
-Wander around The Lanes for little shops and restaurants

I don't think Brighton is a place for making plans.  If you are going by train, just head for the seafront and take it from there.

I love Brighton!


Vicky

Sounds fun, DuckyFuzz!

As far as restaurants go, I can recommend these two:

- Momma Cherri's
- Barry's at the Tureen

For either of these, you'd want to call ahead and book - the first one because it was in administration last I checked, and may no longer be trading, and the second is very small and I think it's only open Wed-Sat nights.

If it's your first trip to Brighton, don't miss this attraction:
http://www.royalpavilion.org.uk/default.asp

Re: Momma Cherri's....great food, terrible service, and (I think) over priced.

Vicky

Apparently the hotel is near the pier.  We are driving up there rather than the train ( cheaper ) but I have heard its a nightmare to negotiate when driving...yay 

Bargin Themed hotel ! - Marrakesh bedroom, normally 150 quid per night - managed to get it for 49 quid - so happy days 

Are there any landmarks worth investigating?  Although we are only staying one night, we technically have two days 

We drove down there last October, and it was a gorgeous warm fall day, so I was sure we wouldnt be the only ones with the idea to go to Brighton, but we didnt have any hassel with traffic or parking at all.  I think you'll be ok.

The main landmark is, of course, the Pier - and you can see the remants of the other pier that burned down a while ago.   But there is also the beautiful Royal Pavillion http://www.royalpavilion.org.uk/ that you may be interested in.

The Lanes, as Vicky mentioned, are the best bit!  Lots of really cool little shops and tons of interesting characters providing for really great people watching. I had the best cheesecake of my life in Brighton and now cant remember what the place was called.  I have a napkin at home, I think - I'll see if I can find it for you (if you're a cheesecake person like me). 
I have fond memories of sitting on the beach at sunset drinking beer... ahh heaven.

We went to a really fun comedy club there too, the Krater Comedy Club/Komedia - I got heckeled to no end being the only American there, but all in good fun

Great job on the hotel!  Have a great time!

I had the best cheesecake of my life in Brighton and now cant remember what the place was called.  I have a napkin at home, I think - I'll see if I can find it for you (if you're a cheesecake person like me). 

I have yet to meet someone who does not like cheesecake 

The shops and people watching appeal.  Loving the sound of the comedy club! I will check it out.

Yaaaaay! I am really excited! I can not believe I have lived 2 hours down the road and yet I have never been!

Re: Momma Cherri's....great food, terrible service, and (I think) over priced.

Vicky

Is that the one owned by the American woman that was on Kitchen Nightmares a few years ago?

BTW, I'm going to Brighton this summer! Come back and post what you end up seeing and doing! I'm really looking forward to going to Brighton! Have fun!!

Is that the one owned by the American woman that was on Kitchen Nightmares a few years ago?

Yep, that's the one.

Vicky

I lived in Brighton for years, it's great for a mid week break

Best pubs for food (central Brighton) :
The Hop Poles (down by the sea front)
http://www.igougo.com/entertainment-reviews-b37035-Brighton-Hop_Poles.html
(that says foods under £4, but more like under £10) but great portions, fresh local ingredients  , menu changes every day and a friendly buzz
The Basketmakers (North Laines)
http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/brighton/bar-pub/1r6jx7/the-basketmakers-arms
The Eagle (North Laines) - used to have it's own Bakery
http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/64/6475/Eagle/Brighton

If you want to go for an amazing (seriously good) gastro pub meal which has a great atmosphere, good booze and is a bit pricer than normal pub food but REALLY good try :
It gets booked instantly for sunday lunch but you can pop in mid week no problem. I had the best xmas meal ever there and we used to work around the corner and it was our friday treat. They source all the food local, so you get lots of seasonal fish and game.
The Sussex Yeoman :
http://www.veggieplaces.co.uk/list_reviews.php?place_id=2459


Restaurant wise,

A good cheap thai place that I haven't found a rival for in London :
http://www.spalace.co.uk/index.html
Great Chinese (they've really upped their game recently) especially if you like Dim Sum
http://www.chinagarden.name/
(Preston street is full of restaurants btw)
Great modern british food :
http://www.coachhousebrighton.com/
If you like sushi Moshi moshi has no rival (no california rolls )
http://www.moshimoshi.co.uk/

Best Fish and Chips :
Bankers :
http://www.bankersrestaurant.co.uk/


Get 6 bagels from Bagelman for £2 to bring home, they're ace.
http://www.bagelman.co.uk/
Get a milkshake from Shakeaway (I used to work there)
http://www.shakeaway.com/subsites/uk/homepage.htm

You shouldn't need to drive around Brighton, bus services are excellent and it's small enough to walk. Just park the car and explore on foot

Also, if you're tempted by mexican, then there's a decent small lunch place
http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/brighton/takeaway/1k12j7b/el-taco

But chimichanga and dig in the ribs are both useless

Have fun
I've tried just about every restaurant in Brighton, so let me know if you fancy any particular type of food

Well I had a great time in Brighton    Not quite what I had imagined, but still good fun.  1 night wasn't enough to experience everything.

The Lanes - Wow!! shopping heaven!! One moment you think you have done all the shops, turn a corner and there are a load more to explore.  Audrey's chocolate shop - HELLO! fantabbydozzy! 

Brighton Pavilion was beautiful.  We ended up going for Sushi dinner which was great - we have not been in months..and we have been craving it.  We litterally ran to the restaurant once we saw it 

The pier wasn't open completely, so we did not experience that fully.  We did have a laugh that there was a stall selling dildo's right next to the kids sweets section    It was very quiet when we went - loads of restaurents open but no one eating in them. 

I thought it would be a better kept for some reason.  I dunno, there seemed to be a lot of derelict shops and dirty buildings.  Perhaps I am being a bit of a snob 

I enjoyed myself.  I would go back, but perhaps in a the summer season when its busier.

On the way back home, we stopped at Arundel castle and village.  That was pretty cool.  Amazing castle and loads of little Antique shops to look around.  Found a amazing antique bookshop which blew my mind! I was expecting the owner to hand me "The Never Ending Story"

All in all - a cool night away and much needed. 

Yay! Glad it was a good time (except for the derelict shops..) Makes me even more excited for my visit!