Fun Things To Do in Brighton for Adults
Wednesday 2nd April, 2025 by Host & Stay
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Brighton for adults, look no further. Located in the heart of Sussex, this exciting city has so much to offer. With the perfect blend of sea, countryside, modern culture and historic architecture, Brighton has something for everyone.
Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, romantic retreat or group getaway, you’ll certainly have a stay to remember here. You can enjoy the thriving nightlife, popular art scene, huge array of independent shops, beautiful coastline and much more.
Make the most of your stay and choose one of our self-catering holiday lets in Brighton for the ultimate city break. Offering stylish apartments and houses in fantastic locations across Brighton, you’ll find the perfect place for your group.
EXPLORE OUR HOLIDAY LETS IN BRIGHTONBrighton Experiences
There are so many Brighton experiences to enjoy during your stay!
The Brighton i360
📍 Lower Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2LN
The Brighton i360 was built as a vertical pier to honour The West Pier. An incredible experience, it stands at 138 metres high and offers 360-degree views of the city. Thrill seekers will love the activities on offer here including the Walk 360 which is an open-air walk around the perimeter of the pod or the Drop 360 which is an abseil from the top to bottom. If you’d prefer something a little more chilled, the i360 has Tollbooth Café & Bar, Seascape and Nyetimber Sky Bar for food and drinks.
Seven Sisters Boat Tour
📍 Maverick Boat Adventures, West Quay, Newhaven, BN9 9BY
When it comes to Brighton experiences, we couldn’t miss the Seven Sisters boat tour! It sets off from Newhaven Marina, roughly 40 minutes from Brighton, and travels along the Sussex coast with breathtaking views of the cliffs and local wildlife. A unique way to enjoy the coast, you’ll hear tales from the past and you can bring your own drinks for a celebratory toast as you journey through the sea. The tour lasts an hour and a half, and prices start at £40 per person.
Pier Pressure Escape Rooms
📍 33 Upper North Street, Brighton, BN1 3FG
When it comes to finding fun things to do in Brighton for adults, Pier Pressure is a fantastic choice – especially for those that like a bit of competition! Brighton’s award-winning escape rooms are action-packed and themed for a truly immersive experience. Perfect for couples and groups, you can escape the outside world for a few hours and try to solve the puzzle before the time runs out.
Shopping in Brighton
If your idea of a fun-filled day includes shopping, then Brighton is the place for you! From vintage boutiques to big brands, shopping here is second to none.
Head to Brighton North Laine shopping area and you’ll find over 300 unique shops in less than half a square mile! The largest collection of independent retailers on the South Coast, you won’t tire of exploring the eclectic mix of shops on offer here.
One of our favourite spots in Brighton for shopping is The Lanes. Some of this area dates back to late 16th century when Brighton was just a small town called Brighthelmstone so it’s a special place to wander around.
You’ll find all of your high street favourites at Churchill Square Shopping Centre. With over 70 shops, restaurants and cafes, it’s a one stop shop for dining, shopping and relaxing.
Brighton at Night
When it comes to finding fun things to do in Brighton for adults, the popular nightlife scene springs to mind. From cocktail bars to iconic pubs, Brighton at night is legendary. A few of our favourite bars include:
Bohemia
📍 54-55 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB
There are so many amazing places for cocktails in Brighton! One of our favourite spots is Bohemia. Just a stone’s throw from the beach and the Royal Pavilion, this cool spot can be found in Brighton’s historic quarter known as The Lanes. Head here for the buzzing atmosphere and delicious drinks!
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday & Sunday – 12 pm–1 am
Friday & Saturday – 12 pm–3 am
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Ohso Social
📍 250a Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 1NB
If you’re looking for a beach club vibe in Brighton, Ohso Social on Kings Road Arches is the spot for you. With sea views, a heated outdoor terrace and an exceptional drinks menu, it’s perfect for an evening tipple. There are DJ sets every Friday and Saturday from 6pm, and live music from 1pm Thursdays to Sundays.
Opening hours:
Monday – Wednesday & Thursday – 10 am–11 pm
Friday – 10 am–2 am
Saturday – 9 am–2 am
Sunday – 9 am–11 pm
The Plotting Parlour
📍 6 Steine Street, Kemptown, Brighton, BN2 1TE
Another favourite is The Plotting Parlour on Steine Street in Kemptown. Nestled between St James’s Street and Marine Parade, this stylish speakeasy-style cocktail bar is a hidden gem known for its handcrafted cocktails made with high-quality ingredients by talented mixologists.
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday & Sunday – 4pm–11 pm
Friday & Saturday – 3 pm–12 am
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The New Club
📍 133-134 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2HH
We also love The New Club which is located opposite the Brighton i-360 tower. The owners found the building virtually derelict and transformed it into a cool American style restaurant bar in 2013. It describes itself as an LA indie coffee house meets New York bar and restaurant – and we think it’s a perfect description!
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday – 10am–4pm
Friday – 10am–9pm
Saturday – 9am–9pm
Sunday – 9am–7pm
Brighton Beach
When thinking of fun things to do in Brighton for adults, we couldn’t forget Brighton Beach! There are so many things to do from water sports to beach games, arcades to night clubs.
Venture along the iconic Brighton Palace Pier for nostalgic fun with its helter-skelter and arcade games. You can also visit amazing art galleries in the Artists’ Quarter which is nearby.
If you’re looking to soak up the sunshine and get active, head to Yellowave for an afternoon of volleyball! There are six beach volleyball courts as well as a clubhouse and a cafe.
For those wanting to relax, we’d recommend a visit to Beach Box Spa! This year-round wood-fired sauna spa is right on the beach and includes a chilled steel tub, freshwater showers, a cool plunge pool and cosy converted horsebox trailers with wood-fired stoves.
Fun Restaurants in Brighton
When it comes to dining in Brighton, there is something for everyone! From Italian to Thai, Indian to Turkish, there is a cuisine to suit every taste. If you’re looking for fun restaurants in Brighton, we’ve narrowed down our favourite spots for an amazing experience.
Shelter Hall
📍 Kings Road Arches, Shelter Hall, Brighton, BN1 1NB
Located in the Arches on the seafront, Shelter Hall is an incredible food court with seven restaurants inside. Take your pick from pizza, bao buns, handmade pittas, burgers, fried chicken, Mexican and sweet treats. Shelter Hall has a sea view terrace, balconies and live music so it’s the perfect place to have a fun-filled evening. There is even a secret cocktail bar serving small plates and cocktails open on weekends until 11pm…
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday – 11:30am–11pm
Friday – 11am–12am
Saturday – 10am–12am
Sunday – 10am–11pm
64 Degrees
📍 53 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB
If you’re looking for fun restaurants in Brighton for a special occasion, 64 Degrees in the Brighton Lanes is a great choice! This award-winning restaurant was founded in 2013 by Great British Menu 2017 winner, Michael Bremner, and serves the most delicious small plates. Half of the seating in the restaurant is at the pass of the open kitchen so you get a really immersive, fun experience.
Opening hours:
Tuesday – Thursday – 6pm–10pm
Friday & Saturday – 12pm–3pm, 6pm–9pm
Thewitchez Restaurant
📍 3 Meeting House Lane, Brighton, BN1 1HB
When it comes to unique, Thewitchez Restaurant on Meeting House Lane springs to mind. This kooky spot is the brainchild of web and graphic designers who decided to work from a cafe instead of a typical office and so Thewitchez was born. The first photo design cafe restaurant in the UK, it serves up delicious food in a creative environment. Where else can you enjoy a Bavarian schnitzel and make a personalised tote bag?
Opening hours:
Monday – Thursday – 5pm–11pm
Friday – 4pm–11pm
Saturday – 1pm–11pm
Sunday – 3pm-9pm
Best Cafes in Brighton
Brighton is packed with independent cafes so it’s always good to fuel your fun-filled day with a good breakfast. Our top picks for the best cafes in Brighton include:
Starfish & Coffee
📍 32 Egremont Place, Brighton, BN2 0GA
Starfish & Coffee is an award-winning cafe located on Egremont Place next to Queen’s Park and offers the most delicious, freshly baked pastries and cakes. Famous for brunch, their seasonal menu has lots of locally sourced produce with plenty of veggie and vegan options!
Opening hours:
Monday & Sunday – 9 am–3 pm
Tuesday – Thursday & Saturday – 8:30 am-3 pm
Black Mocha
📍 103 Gloucester Road, Brighton, BN1 4AP
You’ll find Black Mocha in the heart of North Laine on Gloucester Road. It opened its doors in 2014 with a very conscious attitude and they work hard to not produce waste which isn’t compostable or infinitely recyclable.
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday – 8am–5pm
Saturday – 8am–6pm
Sunday – 9am–5:30pm
The Flour Pot Bakery
📍 85-90, Kings Road Arches, Brighton, BN1 2FN
There are a few branches of The Flour Pot Bakery across Brighton, but our favourite is located on the beachfront. One of the best cafes in Brighton, it serves up amazing artisan baked goodies which are hand made in Brighton. We love going here when the sun is shining as they have outdoor seating so you can enjoy your morning coffee alfresco style!
Opening hours:
Daily – 7:30am-5pm
Getting Around Brighton
If your favourite way to explore is by foot, Brighton is a compact city so you can easily walk from place to place. That being said, the city also has easy and efficient public transport so you can hop on and off as you please.
Buses in Brighton
Brighton has fantastic bus services with some of the lowest bus exhaust emissions in the world so not only are they award winning, they’re also environmentally friendly! For more information, visit here to plan routes and view journeys.
If you’re looking to visit the countryside surrounding Brighton during your stay, you can jump on one of the three Breeze up to the Downs services which links the city to popular beauty spots.
Brighton Train Station
Brighton train station is located on Queens Road and has regular journeys to London, Cambridge, Seaford, Eastbourne, and more! Click here to plan your journey.
Taxis in Brighton
Brighton has lots of taxis and taxi ranks throughout the city! The main ranks are located on Queen’s Square, East Street and Hove Town Hall.
Bike Routes in Brighton
If you want to explore the city by bicycle, you’re in luck! Brighton is part of the National Cycle Network and has an official cycle route which runs along the beach so you can enjoy amazing views as you ride. Hop on one of the Beryl BTN Bikes – the city’s own smart bike share scheme – for an easy and fun way to get around!
Stay in Brighton
There are so many fun things to do in Brighton for adults and after your exciting day you’ll need somewhere to stay in the city. Our collection of holiday lets in Brighton includes properties for two which are perfect for romantic retreats and larger properties ideal for group getaways.
From sea views to cool neighbourhood settings, our Brighton holiday lets provide a comfortable and homely base with self-catering amenities. Explore our portfolio of over 100 properties in Brighton and start planning your stay today!
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