Your May 2026 queer nightlife guide to Brighton—best bars, cabaret, clubs, and LGBTQ-friendly hotels in Kemptown and beyond.

Brighton Queer Nights: May 2026 Guide

Queer Nights Out in Brighton: May 2026 Bars, Cabaret and Clubs Guide

Join Brighton LGBTQ+ sports this April: tennis, netball, running, Out To Swim, OutdoorLads, and more—plus post‑practice spots along the seafront.

Brighton LGBTQ+ Sports: April 2026 Guide

Get Active in Brighton: LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues to Join in April 2026

Brighton

Stylish cafe/bar and cabaret venue in a gay hotel, offering a casual cafe and a subterranean club.

Legends

Seafront LGBTQ+ bar featuring DJs & entertainment, with a mezzanine level offering views.

R-Bar

Large, funky gay bar with heated outdoor terrace and a nightclub upstairs, serving food until 8pm.

Charles Street Tap

Airy pub with wood floors and modern decor, quirky Moroccan-style patio, plus classic food and ales.

The Camelford Arms

Landmark LGBT pub & hangout known for lively karaoke nights & a laid-back atmosphere.

Bulldog

Affinity Bar is a bar in Brighton. Located at 129 St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TH, UK.

Affinity Bar

Retro supper club/cabaret set in a plush former ballroom with glittering lights and a dance floor.

Proud Cabaret Brighton

The Marine Tavern is a bar in Brighton. Located at 13 Broad St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TJ, UK.

The Marine Tavern

Real ales, global comfort food and local art displays in traditional, open-fire pub with courtyard.

The Prestonville Arms

Playful venue featuring cocktails & chanteuses singing pop songs & show tunes, plus karaoke.

Bar Broadway

The Actors is a bar in Brighton. Located at 4 Prince's St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1RD, UK.

The Actors

Lively, late-opening bar with modern, fairy-lit interior, original features and an open fire.

The Grosvenor Bar

The Bedford Tavern is a bar in Brighton. Located at 30 Western St, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN1 2PG, UK.

The Bedford Tavern

Centre Stage Brighton is a bar in Brighton. Located at 11-12 Marine Parade, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TL, UK.

Centre Stage Brighton

LBGTQ+ venue spread over 3 floors, with panoramic sea views from the rooftop terrace.

Club Revenge

Live music club in a railway yard with a late bar every night, free entry, and a green door.

Green Door Store

Energetic nightclub hosting up-&-coming bands & global acts, plus regular parties & theme nights.

Polyglamorous @ Chalk

The Brighton Box is a shop in Brighton. Located at 21 Dukes Ln, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1BG, UK.

The Brighton Box

Prowler Brighton is a shop in Brighton. Located at 112-113 St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1TH, UK.

Prowler Brighton

The Queery is a shop in Brighton. Located at 46 George St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1RJ, UK.

The Queery

The Brighton Birdcage is a shop in Brighton. Located at The Brighton Birdcage, 35 Gloucester Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 4AQ, UK.

The Brighton Birdcage

The Brighton Sauna is a sauna and bathhouse in Brighton. Located at 75/76 Grand Parade, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 9JA, UK.

The Brighton Sauna

Chic, modern rooms in a townhouse hotel offering complimentary cooked breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Brightonwave

Posh B&B in a Victorian house offering modern rooms with WiFi and smart TVs, plus in-room breakfast.

Hotel Nineteen

Contemporary B&B opposite the beach, offering a guest lounge & free private parking.

A Room With A View

Stylish rooms in a Georgian boutique hotel featuring breakfast & a cocktail bar.

Blanch House

Relaxed rooms in a Victorian hotel offering free cooked breakfast & Wi-Fi, plus a bar & a lounge.

Ambassador Hotel

Simple rooms & suites, some with sea views, in a laid-back hotel with a relaxed restaurant.

Amsterdam Hotel Brighton Seafront

Lightning Like Scissors is a venue in Brighton. Located at 16 Preston St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 2HN, UK.

Lightning Like Scissors

The Hair Salon Brighton is a venue in Brighton. Located at 71 Blatchington Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 3YG, UK.

The Hair Salon Brighton

The LGBTQ+ Shop is a shop in Brighton. Located at 46 George St, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN2 1RJ, UK.

The LGBTQ+ Shop

Gay-owned contemporary boutique for dogs, based in Brighton's vibrant Lanes. Holler sells luxury dog accessories, clothing, leads, harnesses, collars, beds, and homewares, sourced from premium brands worldwide. Founded in 2019 by Cian and Ryan, the store has its own line of handcrafted dog accessories.

Holler

Often called the LGBTQ+ capital of the UK, Brighton is known for its vibrant queer community centered around St James’s Street and the seafront. Brighton Pride is one of Europe’s most popular Pride events, reflecting the city’s open, progressive, and creative atmosphere.

Weekly Monday coffee and conversation sessions for LGBT+ individuals aged 55 and over, hosted by the LGBT+ Centre Brighton.

Webster's

Coffee & Conversations - LGBT+ Centre Brighton

LGBT+ Centre Brighton

An energetic night featuring performances by Jedward at Revenge.

Revenge

X Factor with Jedward

A full-day paddleboarding and canoeing experience in Snowdonia, perfect for beginners and water adventure lovers.

OutdoorLads Snowdonia Site

Paddleboarding & Canoeing Full Day (Sun)

Coffee & Conversations for LGBT+ individuals over 55 years old.

Golden Group Coffee & Conversations

Centre LGBT+ Brighton & Hove

A social event where LGBT+ individuals over 55 can enjoy coffee and chat.

Build your climbing skills with us at Redpoint Birmingham Climbing Centre.

Redpoint Birmingham Climbing Centre

BIRMINGHAM Indoor Climbing - MONDAY - Experienced

Challenge yourself at one of London’s leading climbing venues, suitable for all abilities including beginners.

Finsbury Park, North London

London Indoor Climbing Evening - All abilities- Beginners welcome

Join OutdoorLads for an evening of climbing and bouldering at BIG Depot Manchester, suitable for beginners.

Greater Manchester

Indoor Climbing MANCHESTER - Beginners welcome!

OutdoorLads hosts a social bowling event in Leeds called Gay City Bowlers. Participants of all skill levels are welcome to enjoy two games at Roxy Lanes, with a friendly competition and medals for the top three scorers. After bowling, attendees can gather for drinks. Tickets are priced at £20 for two games, supporting UK-wide events, and must be purchased via the Gay City Bowlers website before signing up on this event page.

Roxy Lanes

Gay City Bowlers Leeds - May

Gay City Bowlers

Leeds & Liverpool Canal (Burnley to Blackburn)

Learn to climb with us at Redpoint Birmingham Climbing Centre.

BIRMINGHAM Indoor Climbing - MONDAY - Beginners

A beginner and improver salsa event featuring a bachata class and social dance at West Beach Hotel Brighton. The event includes a bachata class led by Issy from 19:30 to 20:30, followed by a social dance from 20:30 to 22:00. It is QPOC-led, welcoming allies, and aims to promote dance and social connection. Tickets are priced between £5.50 and £8.50, with limited concession options. The event takes place on Thursday, 28th May 2026, starting at 19:15.

Salsa Class and Social Dance

Join us for a relaxed pub dinner at The Castle in Farnham.

Farnham, Surrey

Farnham Pub Supper Social

A concert featuring the Leeds Male Voice Choir will be held at Berwick Parish Church in Berwick upon Tweed on Friday, 29th May 2026, from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Tickets are available for general admission, with prices at £12.94 for adults and free for under 18s and students. The event is organized by TicketSource.

OutdoorLads Event Location

In Concert in Berwick

A night dedicated to pop icon Zara Larsson! Expect one of her hits every 20 minutes, plus a themed drag show, and themed drinks.

Camp Out! Zara Larsson Night

Revenge & R-Bar

A night of music, drag performances, and themed drinks celebrating pop star Zara Larsson.

Join Mark and Laurance for a scenic 15 km walk from Sheffield into the Cordwell Valley, tracing Edward Carpenter's route between the city and his rural retreat at Millthorpe. The walk visits Carpenter's former home, highlights the natural beauty of the valley, and includes stops at notable sites such as Millthorpe and Smeekley Wood. The event offers an opportunity to explore the history of Edward Carpenter, a notable figure who hosted famous guests like E.M. Forster and George Bernard Shaw.

South Yorkshire / North Derbyshire

Edward Carpenter Circular Walk

A challenging linear walk of approximately 35 km (22 miles) with 933 meters of ascent in the Peak District, traversing nine gritstone edges including Derwent Edge, Stanage Edge, and others. The walk starts at Ladybower Reservoir and takes about 10 hours, featuring great views, historic sites, and facilities along the route. Participants should be prepared with suitable footwear, clothing, food, and water, and must be fit to undertake the walk. The event is scheduled for June 20, 2026, and includes options for public transport and support arrangements.

Hope Valley, Derbyshire

Nine Edges Derbyshire Challenge Walk

A scenic walk in the Peak District exploring Goyt Valley and Shining Tor.

Peak District

Goyt Valley & Shining Tor Walk

A night featuring heavy/post-punk bands and alternative burlesque artists, part of a Transgenre special edition.

Wharf Chambers

Bands vs Burlesque

Upstairs @ R-Bar

R-Bar Queer DJs

Brighton's biggest new queer night. Level 1: Pop, Dance + Queer Bangers. Level 2: Current & Throwback R&B. 3x Drag Performers every week.

Confession - Queer DJs

A weekly queer party featuring DJs, drag performers, and music genres like pop, dance, R&B, and queer anthems.

Join a six-mile circular walk starting and ending in a historic fishing village at Troup Head, Aberdeenshire. The event offers opportunities to observe nesting seabirds such as razorbills, gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, and puffins, with the chance to see marine life like dolphins, porpoises, and minke whales. The walk includes cliff and coastal scenery, quieter paths, and country lanes. Participants should bring weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, and drinks. Dogs are welcome but must be under control due to wildlife and cliff edges. The event is scheduled for May 30, 2026, with no specified start time, and costs £12.50.

RSPB Troup Head - Nesting Birds and Aberdeenshire Cliff walk

A walking event titled 'Chapel Row Bradenham ODL Walk' taking place on May 31, 2026. No specific start or end times are provided.

Thatcham, West Berkshire

Chapel Row Bradenham ODL Walk

A scenic 8.5-mile walk starting in Long Hanborough, exploring the Blenheim Estate, crossing into the countryside along the River Evenlode, passing historical sites like North Leigh Roman Villa, and enjoying diverse landscapes including estate parkland, river scenery, and open Oxfordshire countryside. The walk features fairly flat terrain with occasional short inclines, suitable for moderate walkers, and includes a lunch break with options to visit the George & Dragon in Long Hanborough afterward. Dogs are welcome on a lead within Blenheim Estate. The event is scheduled for May 31, 2026, with meeting times in the morning.

Blenheim Estate

Hanborough to Blenheim & Evenlode Valley Walk (Lowland)

Join us for a 12-mile walk through the tranquil Pang Valley in West Berkshire, exploring scenic countryside, charming villages, and historic sites. The route includes Bucklebury, Stanford Dingley, Bradfield, and the River Pang, with options for lunch and refreshments in Stanford Dingley. The event is suitable for easy to moderate walkers and welcomes well-behaved dogs. Please bring comfortable shoes, a packed lunch, and sufficient water. The walk starts from Chapel Row and offers a chance to enjoy the area's natural beauty and local history.

Beautiful Berwyns: A Scenic Circular Lowland Walk

West Oxfordshire

A 5k run/walk event with prizes for top finishers and best rainbow gear. Registration opens at 7:30 AM, and the event kicks off at 9 AM. Timing provided by Falcon Race Timing.

Plaza at the Municipal Building

Centre LGBT+ Pride 5k

A community 5k run/walk event celebrating LGBTQ+ pride with prizes for top finishers and creative rainbow outfits.

Run & Walk into Pride month with Centre LGBT+! Interact with great vendors while running. Best Rainbow and Pride gear will win a medal! Top 3 overall finishers will also win medals.

Under the arch at the Municipal Building

Pride 5K: Love on Display

A fun run or walk event where people dress in Pride gear to celebrate and kick off Pride month.

An indoor climbing session at BIG Depot Manchester suitable for beginners, with an emphasis on fun and safety.

A relaxed, in-person writing session held on Wednesday mornings from 11am to 1pm at Ironworks Studios in Brighton. Participants can bring their laptops or notebooks to work on any writing project, such as novels, poetry, essays, scripts, or coursework. The series runs during the summer months (June to August), with the possibility of continuation into autumn if popular. The cost is £8 per session, which includes unlimited self-service tea and coffee.

The Write Space At Ironworks

A bold, brilliant cabaret chat show packed with glamour, gossip and glorious live entertainment.

Legends Bar

Dave Lynn's Mouth to Mouth Cabaret Chat Show

A lively cabaret chat show featuring glamour, gossip, and live entertainment.

Join the weekly croquet sessions at Preston Park Lawn Croquet Club, happening every Monday evening from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM until October. The event includes coaching to help understand the rules, and all equipment is provided. The location is Preston Drove, BN1 6LA, with free street parking and nearby bus and train options. Cost is £6 per player, payable on arrival.

Brighton LGBT Sports Society

Croquet and Pickleball Session

BLAGSS

Enjoy early spring camping on the outskirts of a medieval village in East Sussex.

South Downs, East Sussex

Early Spring Camping in Alfriston

Enjoy an afternoon of badminton and pickleball games.

Badminton and Pickleball Play

An event titled 'Pollito Boogaloo at The Actors' scheduled to take place on June 5, 2026, from 19:30 to 22:30. Further details about the event are not provided in the content.

Pollito Boogaloo at The Actors

An evening celebrating George Michael with live vocals, a quiz, prizes, and an 80s after party in the bar until midnight. The event features performances from Brighton’s vocal talents, including Aneesa Chaudhry, Chris Behan, and Paul Diello, performing George’s hits from Wham! and solo works. Attendees can test their knowledge in a George Michael quiz for prizes and enjoy an 80s-themed after party. The event is for ages 16 and above, with under 18s accompanied by an adult, and includes limited front-stage tables and unreserved general seating.

Ironworks Studios

George Michael- A Celebration

Weekly gay night at Legends Brighton with DJ and drinks deals.

The Basement Club

Fever Thursday

Legends Brighton

An easy-going social event at Peddler Market in Sheffield, starting on June 5, 2026. Attendees can enjoy a variety of food and drinks, catch up with existing friends from OutdoorLads, and meet new members. The event begins at Peddler Market, with potential plans to explore bars and pubs in the Kelham Island area later in the evening. The event is open to both new and existing members, providing a relaxed environment to socialize and make new connections.

Peddler Market

Sheffield Social - Peddler Market

Join us for a camping event near the sea on the stunning Dorset 'Isle of Purbeck'. Explore the area's coastal and countryside scenery, including the Jurassic Coast, caves, beaches, and heritage sites like Corfe Castle. The camp offers facilities such as showers, toilets, and breakfast options. Dogs are welcome, and campervans can be accommodated upon request. Participants should prepare for outdoor activities with appropriate gear and bring their own food and water. The event includes opportunities for coastal walks and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

Isle of Purbeck Camp

An evening social gathering at The Brunswick in Brighton.

The Brunswick

Brighton Area Pub Social: The Brunswick

An evening of good company, food, and fun in Southampton.

Central Southampton, Hampshire

Southampton June social

A double feature performance by Frankie Fann.

Frankie Fann’s Double Feature

25+ queer night in Brighton with Liberty X, Aiesha Naomi, Mr Blaque, DJs Alfie Ordinary, Fifi, Toby Lawrence, and Dancers Taali, Maxy Razor, Rob Hamish, Sabrina. Hosted by Ginny Lemon.

Out Out! Total Queer Chaos with Liberty X

Ginny Lemon

A party where Brummy icon Ginny Lemon will host and bring her signature style to the stage.

A drag variety show hosted by Frankie Fann, featuring a parade of potential pets, performances by Mandy Sweats and Pika Hoop, and an evening of mischief and surprises. The event is for attendees aged 18 and over, with limited front-stage tables and unreserved seating at Ironworks Studios, Brighton. Doors open at 7:00 PM, with the show running from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, including an interval. Attendees are encouraged to dress to impress and stay alert for unexpected happenings.

Frankie Fann's Double Feature

Weekend dance night at Legends Brighton with DJ and special offers.

Flavour Friday

An evening of classical music performed by the Sheffield Symphony Orchestra in Sheffield.

Queer City Guides for Brighton

Queer Nights Out in Brighton: May 2026 Bars, Cabaret and Clubs Guide

Get Active in Brighton: LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues to Join in April 2026

Where Things Are Happening

Take Brighton's queer scene with you