Scoops – Improvised Comedy Night
A monthly improv comedy night featuring different troupes from Brighton and beyond.
Paid
Kemptown is one of Brighton’s most colourful and welcoming neighbourhoods. Stretching east from the Palace Pier towards Brighton Marina, it’s where grand Regency architecture meets independent cafés, local pubs, specialist shops and one of the UK’s best-known LGBTQ+ communities.
St James’s Street, the heart of Kemptown, is where bakeries, bookshops, cocktail bars, cabaret venues, delis, charity shops and long-established independent businesses create a high street that’s busy from morning until late into the evening.
Historically home to artists, performers and free thinkers, Kemptown has never been afraid to do things differently. Spend time exploring the side streets and you’ll discover historic townhouses, hidden garden squares and local favourites that have served the community for years.
Brighton’s most colourful neighbourhood, where community, creativity & cabaret come together.
Kemptown’s beach offers a quieter alternative to Brighton’s central beach, with easy access to Madeira Drive, the Undercliff Walk & Brighton Marina.
It’s a much quieter alternative to Brighton’s central beach, making it popular with swimmers, paddle boarders & anyone looking to escape the busiest parts of the promenade.
Get the latest on independent shops, local events, hidden gems and new openings in Kemptown and across Brighton & Hove.
Discover community events, drag shows, live music, flea markets, exhibitions, Brighton Pride celebrations and seasonal events taking place throughout one of Brighton’s liveliest neighbourhoods.
A monthly improv comedy night featuring different troupes from Brighton and beyond.
House of Spank returns for an adults-only night of DJs, performance, fetish fashion and occult-inspired theatrics.
Taking over St George’s Church the KTAA's Christmas Art & Gift Market
Bottomless drag brunch at Legends Brighton with live queens, brunch, games and 90 minutes of bottomless drinks.
Kemptown has a different personality depending on when you arrive. Weekday mornings are perfect for coffee, browsing independent shops and exploring St James’s Street without the crowds. Summer brings outdoor dining, busy pubs and Brighton Pride, while quieter months make it easier to enjoy the neighbourhood’s cafés, beaches and Regency streets at a slower pace.
Discover independent shopping, quieter beaches, vibrant nightlife and one of Brighton’s most welcoming LGBTQ+ neighbourhoods.
St James’s Street is lined with independent businesses that make shopping in Kemptown feel refreshingly different. Browse everything from bookshops and florists to boutiques, delis, vintage finds and long-established family businesses that have become part of the neighbourhood’s character.
Kemptown has long been the heart of Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community. Independent bars, clubs, cabaret venues, and community spaces create a welcoming atmosphere throughout the year, with Brighton Pride bringing the neighbourhood to life every summer with a mix of LGBTQIA+ centred and owned venues & events.
Local gastro pub, welcoming beer gardens and lively bars are scattered throughout Kemptown, making it just as good for a quiet pint as a big night out. Come Sunday, many of the area’s pubs serve some of Brighton’s favourite roasts, giving you another excuse to settle in for the afternoon.
Independent cafés, family-run artisan bakeries and neighbourhood delis provide plenty of places to slow down, catch up with friends or simply watch the world go by with a good coffee & fresh pastry.
Kemptown is one of Brighton’s favourite places for charity shopping and vintage finds. Browse pre-loved fashion, books, homeware and hidden gems while supporting local and national charities along the way.
Kemptown’s food scene is every bit as diverse as its community. Meander along St James’s Street and up towards St George’s Road, compare a few menus and see what tickles your taste buds.
Staying active is easy in Kemptown. Swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centres and sports clubs sit alongside the seafront, making it simple to balance city living with an active lifestyle.
Choose from independent guest houses, boutique hotels and bed & breakfasts, many tucked inside elegant Regency townhouses just moments from the seafront and within walking distance of Brighton’s best cafés, pubs and independent shops.
Living in Kemptown means having the beachfront, independent businesses and city centre all within walking distance. Around 8,000 people call Kemptown home, living among elegant Regency crescents, Victorian terraces and stylish apartment conversions that give Kemptown its distinctive character.
Families, students, professionals and retirees all call Kemptown home, helped by nearby schools, everyday amenities and a strong sense of community that’s remained at the heart of the area for generations.
Every summer, Brighton Pride attracts around half a million visitors to the city, with Kemptown becoming one of the celebration’s main focal points. For the rest of the year, the neighbourhood returns to its relaxed pace, where LGBTQIA+ businesses, venues and community groups continue to thrive.
Kemptown puts you within easy reach of plenty more Brighton neighbourhoods. Head down to the beach and follow the coast east to Brighton Marina or west along Brighton Seafront towards The Lanes. Explore the independent shops and cafés of North Laine and London Road, or discover residential neighbourhoods including Hanover, Fiveways and Seven Dials. Further west, you’ll find Hove and Portslade.
Everything you need to know before exploring one of Brighton’s most loved neighbourhoods.
Absolutely. Kemptown is widely recognised as “the gay village” and the heart of Brighton’s LGBTQIA+ community, with proudly LGBTQIA+ friendly businesses, bars, cafés, community organisations and events taking place throughout the year. Every summer, the neighbourhood becomes one of the main hubs of Brighton Pride, one of the UK’s largest Pride celebrations.
Kemptown takes its name from Thomas Read Kemp, the 19th century politician and developer behind the prestigious Kemp Town Estate. The Regency homes around Sussex Square and Lewes Crescent remain some of Brighton’s finest examples of Regency architecture.
Yes. Kemptown is one of Brighton’s best areas for nightlife, with everything from traditional pubs and cocktail bars to live music venues, drag cabaret and LGBTQIA+ nightclubs. The atmosphere builds throughout the evening, making it a popular destination for both a relaxed drink and a big night out.
Find independent shops along St James’s Street, relax on Kemptown Beach, discover local cafés and restaurants, explore Brighton’s LGBTQ+ venues, enjoy live cabaret or walk east towards Black Rock and Brighton Marina along the seafront. Kemptown is where thousands of people experience Brighton Pride every summer.
Kemptown offers a mix of on-street pay-and-display parking and public car parks, although spaces can fill up quickly during weekends, bank holidays & during summer.
If you’re planning to drive, it’s worth checking parking restrictions in advance. For parking locations, prices and local tips, read our Brighton parking guide.
Yes. If your business or service is based in Kemptown, you can create a free Spotlight or upgrade to a Grow or Elevate Spotlight to showcase your business, reach more locals and visitors & appear on this page and across Brighton.co.uk.
