The Bohemian World of Brightonwords and shutter: Alexandra DeMaria Brighton is a town situated on the southern coast of England in East Sussex. Sometimes referred to as London-by-the-sea because of the weekend and summer crowd it attracts, Brighton sits just a short train ride from Victoria tube station, in the heart of London. Though the population explodes in the summer months (bragging of one of the highest number of sunny days per year in the whole country), Brighton is still a-bustle with things happening during the cold and grey winter months. The small yet cosmopolitan area, known as Brighton and Hove, is a magnet for any kind of alternative lifestyle seekers. It is full of artists, musicians and other creative sorts, sports a lively student population and has an active gay and lesbian scene. A popular destination for Brits, Brighton is also a must-see spot for travelers around the globe (but good luck trying to get away!).
 Shops in The North Laine, Brighton, England
The North Laine is the most vibrant part of the town, with its bohemian crowds and colourful scenery. It is home to hundreds of different shops selling food and drink, antiques, clothing, furniture and tacky little knick-knacks. Some of the streets are pedestrian-only cobblestone walkways that swell with an eclectic mixture of people.  Kensington Gardens, Brighton, England
At the end of one particular laneway, Kensington Gardens, there is a permanent, year-round market stall selling goods like canned sardines, delightful Swiss chocolate and dried mushrooms.  The Dumb Waiter Cafe in Brighton, England
For a piping-hot jacket potato with all the fixings, or just a warm cup of tea to get out of the cold, The Dumb Waiter is a colourful café and trendymeeting spot, with an ideal second floor window for brilliant people-watching.
 JuJu clothing store in Brighton, England Around every corner, down every new street, there is a clothing store that suits any and every style. The winding pathways closer to the seafront caters to the more upscale shoppers with money to drop on designer wares. The North Laine caters to a more laid-back look with second-hand shops and independent one-off boutiques. Yamama and Juju are two stores in the North Laine carrying new and used threads, featuring both their own labels and articles from other well-known labels.
 Resident, music store in Brighton, England As varied as the people who make up this town is the music scene. No matter what the sound you are looking for, someone is probably playing it. Either sitting with a pint in one hand listening to the latest up-and-coming band or flipping through a fresh stack of records in one of Brighton’s many music shops, every sound is catered. Resident, one of the newer music stores in the North Laine, is staffed with knowledgeable music junkies, always on-hand and full of suggestions.
 Duke of York Cinema, Brighton, England For a dash of culture, The Duke of York is a local movie theatre, right in the middle of town. It bears no resemblance to a Cineplex Odeon or a Silver City complex. The Duke of York shows a few new films but tends to focus on the less-mainstream films. The seat cushions are comfortable with spacious leg room, and if that’s not good enough, you can also mosey up to the snack bar, buy an alcoholic bevy and waltz right back to your seat to enjoy the flick.
 The Palace Pier, Brighton seafront, England The seafront, book-ended on either side by the piers, is a large part of what makes Brighton so desirable. The Palace Pier is a gaudy, kitsch-looking amusement park just over the ocean, with roller coasters, arcades, food stalls, games and seagulls. Although the Palace Pier was most popular for tourists back in the ’30s, it still makes for an entertaining stroll through flashing light bulbs and hyper kids on a sunny afternoon (it also gives a great panoramic view of the seafront). On the other end of the Brighton seafront lies the West Pier, or what now remains of it. In the summer of 2003, a fire (surrounded by suspicious circumstances and controversy) burnt down what was left of the vacant historical site. All that is left is an eerie, yet strangely beautiful skeleton of what once was.
Between the two piers is a long pebbled beach and old wooden boardwalk at the foot of the Arches. The Arches house a mixture of stalls selling seafood, art galleries, cafés and many of Brighton’s dance clubs, which can be found lining the seafront. Funky Buddha, The Beach, Tzar Bar, Honey Club, Union (the old ZAP), Arc Bar, and the pub Fortune of War are a few hot spots on the sea still kicking it even in the dead of winter. Although the names and owners of these clubs change as quickly as the weather, there is nothing more satisfying than leaving a club after a night of hot and sweaty dancing, and stepping out directly into a cool northern breeze off the English Channel, burying your feet into the pebbles and then heading off for home. |
