After being told on Friday morning that I’d be exploring Brighton for the weekend I rushed out from work and headed for the train station. Phone in hand and first nights accomodation booked at The Square, a boutique hotel sat facing one of Brighton’s green little squares.

I’d used Booking.com’s app to book with just minimal clicks and fuss. I didn’t need to print anything out either, just needed to have my booking in the app, much easier when you’re in a rush and can’t find a printer!

Checking In

After walking from Brighton’s station I checked into The Square , a stylish boutique hotel that not only has one of the comfiest king size beds I’ve slept in but also has some amazing attention to detail. There are usually two things that make a great hotel room for me, number one is a big comfy king sized bed and the other is a good shower. The Square had them both!

I had very little unpacking to do as I’m traveling super light, so I got to my room, ditched my laptop and headed out.

Craft Beer Time

First stop was The Craft Beer Co, a pub that has a simply mind blowing selection of cask, keg and bottle beers. I sampled a half a pint of smoked porter and dark IPA.

With a taste for decent beer I remembered a tip a friend had given me about visiting The Evening Star pub not far from the station, so I drank up and headed over.

Like The Craft Beer Co, there’s plenty of beers on offer at The Evening Star but ales come from the Dark Star Brewery. The pub is quite cosy but very welcoming and the bar staff are all very friendly. It’s a good spot if you’re waiting for a train or just arrived in Brighton by train.

I woke on Saturday morning in possibly the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in at The Square. I showered, checked out and headed along Brighton’s beach before heading back towards the station to eat brunch at Cafe Coho, a nice little coffee/breakfast spot.

The Vinyl Man

Just around the corner I found The Record Album and George, a well dressed 85 year old man with a real passion for vinyl. It’s a fascinating little store with a large collection of LP’s from soundtracks and musicals. George is more than happy to chat, he even played his favourite film soundtrack, The Kings Row and told me how he took over the shop in 1962 after being in the Royal Air Force. George’s cash register draws a lot of attention due to its age as it still uses pounds and shillings!

Not exactly the record store I thought I’d find myself browsing in Brighton but certainly one of the more interesting ones. The kind of experience you get when you wander without any fixed plans!

Walking back towards the centre of Brighton I suddenly felt a bit of dampness on my left leg, I looked down and found I’d been given a little “Welcome to Brighton” message from one of the city’s resident seagulls. This is the second time in a month that this has happened, perhaps it’s good luck?

I made a slight detour through Brighton’s shopping district to buy some new trousers before checking into my next hotel for the night, the Queens Hotel.

Killer Burger

After wandering the streets and lanes of Brighton all day it was time for a break and some early dinner. A friend of mine tipped me off about a few burger restaurants in Brighton so I looked one up on my phone and headed over. MEATliquor’s decor actually drew me into the restaurant, just look at the interior decoration in the photos below. If the walls weren’t impressive enough the chili green cheese burger and even more so my chilli cheese fries were superb! I washed it down with a decent america pale ale (Crafty Dan 13 Guns IPA 5.5%).

It’s been a fun, sunny and adventurous day in Brighton but as I write this I need to hop in the shower and head out on the town… I do have a couple of “wing it” options for tonight and I might just try them both…

Blues night or the best of Latin & Balearic House?

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