The second half of October brings Brighton's cultural calendar to its peak. The Brighton Dome Comedy Festival delivers nine days of world-class comedy (17th-26th), arena acts fill the Brighton Centre, and the OctoberBest dining festival continues showcasing 38 restaurants. Halloween weekend closes the month with FIVE's 90s reunion party, whilst a brand-new wine bar near the station offers intimate seasonal dining. Here's your guide to Brighton's best fortnight.
Dates: Friday 17th – Sunday 26th October 2025
Venues: Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Corn Exchange, Studio Theatre
The Brighton Dome Comedy Festival has established itself as one of the UK's premier comedy events, bringing Ed Gamble, Chris McCausland, Joanne McNally, and dozens more to Brighton's most beautiful venue. What sets it apart is accessibility - all performances are live-captioned by stenographers, a UK comedy festival first.
Highlight Show: Live at Brighton Dome
Saturday 18th October showcases multiple comedians in one evening: Ed Gamble headlines alongside Taskmaster's Lucy Beaumont, Mock The Week's Rhys James, and rising stars. It is exceptional value and already 80% sold.
Festival Highlights:
Chris McCausland (Strictly Come Dancing's 2024 winner) presents his show "Yonks!" on Tuesday 21st October - a masterclass in stand-up that's been years in the making.
Joanne McNally, co-host of hit podcast "My Therapist Ghosted Me," performs "Pinotphile" on Friday, 24th October - navigating situationships and rejection with her signature wit.
Jen Brister brings her brand-new show "Reactive" on Friday 17th (opening night), attempting to find her zen with furiously funny results.
Insider Tip: Pre-show bars open 90 minutes early - the upper bar is quieter with the same drinks. Many comedians do surprise warm-up sets at Komedia after their main shows. Level 42 at Brighton Dome (Thursday 16th) is fully booked with returns only.
Tickets: brightondome.org/comedyfestival
Price Range: £16-32.50
Self Esteem
Friday 17th October, Brighton Centre
Rising pop star Self Esteem brings her arena-level show to Brighton on the same night the Comedy Festival opens. Her Friday night slot makes it perfect for weekend breaks, combining concert and comedy.
John Bishop: "Back At It"
Saturday 18th October, Brighton Centre
John Bishop returns with his first tour in years. Saturday night arena comedy attracts groups and weekenders - expect the Brighton Centre to be packed with Merseyside accents and laughter.
If you're visiting for either show, the Dome's comedy programme offers excellent pre or post-concert entertainment options.
Insider Tip: Brighton Centre is 12 12-minute walk from The Square Townhouse. Park at Churchill Square (£12 evening rate) rather than the seafront.
Tickets: brightoncentre.co.uk
Dates: 11th-26th October 2025 (second half now)
Restaurants: 38 of Brighton's best
Price Range: £15-35 fixed menus
OctoberBest celebrates its 10th year with Brighton's independent restaurants creating special menus you won't find any other time. We're now in the second half of the festival - whilst some popular slots have sold out, plenty of availability remains for the final two weeks.
Still Available Highlights:
Riddle & Finns (Beach & Lanes) - "October Best Edit" menu: two dishes £25, three £30, four £35, with Negronis for £5. Available throughout the festival.
Embers - Live-fire cooking showcase. Weekend dinners fill fast, but midweek slots are still available.
Burnt Orange - Wood-fired Mediterranean small plates. Their seasonal autumn menu integrates beautifully with OctoberBest pricing.
The Set - Multi-course tasting experiences. Limited availability but worth checking for returns.
New This Year: Price bands from £15-35 mean lunch options and more choice than ever. Many restaurants offer better availability for the 19th-26th October period.
Insider Tip: Monday-Wednesday lunchtimes 19th-26th October have excellent availability. Follow @brightonsbestrestaurants on Instagram - they announce when restaurants add capacity or release additional tables.
Booking: octoberbest.uk
NEW OPENING: Patio
Location: 1 Surrey Street (near Brighton Station)
Chef: Ali Munro
Style: Walk-ins only, natural wines, seasonal small plates
Brighton's newest wine bar opened recently, bringing neighbourhood wine bar culture to Surrey Street. Chef Ali Munro's menu features roast scallops with local tomato and shiro dashi, Jersey oysters with lemon and dulse mignonette, and beef tartare with house fish sauce - seasonal British produce with subtle Asian influences.
The wine list prioritises natural wines from small producers you won't find elsewhere. It's intimate (around 30 covers), walk-ins only, with full service from 5 pm. The kind of place that already feels like a local secret.
Insider Tip: Arrive before 6:30pm on weekdays for best table availability. By 7:30 pm it's typically full. Weekend evenings arrive by 5:30 pm.
AUTUMN WOOD-FIRE DINING:
As October evenings darken early, Brighton's wood-fired restaurants become essential:
Burnt Orange (The Lanes)
Winner of Best Restaurant Brighton 2025 (third win in four years). Their autumn menu features charred squash hummus with pomegranate, glazed duck breast with harissa parsnips, jerk crab curry - bold flavours perfect for October evenings. The historic coach house setting becomes especially atmospheric with open fires and dim lighting.
Booking: burnt-orange.co.uk
Insider Tip: Bar seats offer the best view of fire-cooking action. Book now for Halloween weekend.
Embers (The Lanes)
Voted 3rd Best Restaurant Brighton 2025 and winner of Best Roast. Everything cooked over kiln-dried ash and birch wood, lending gentle smokiness to seasonal dishes. The open kitchen provides theatre alongside warmth.
Booking: emberbrighton.co.uk
Sunday Roast: Books out weeks in advance, includes unlimited Yorkshire puddings
The Chimney House (Upper Hamilton Road)
Two working fireplaces, premium gastropub menu, extensive wine list. Named after its chimneys for good reason - perfect for Sunday lunch or evening dining when you want genuine warmth alongside excellent food.
Cosy Pubs with Real Fires:
The Fountain Head (near Brighton Station) - two open log fires, exceptional Sunday roasts
Haus on the Hill (Hanover) - Brighton Bier's pub with Caribbean food, open fire burning
The White Rabbit (North Laine) - eccentric décor, fires lit all winter from October onwards
Friday 31st October 2025
FIVE at Brighton Centre
The reunited 90s boyband (5ive) bring their reunion tour to Brighton on Halloween itself. Think "Keep On Movin'", "Everybody Get Up", "If Ya Gettin' Down" - nostalgic pop hits meet fancy dress chaos. This is arena-sized Halloween party territory.
Tickets: brightoncentre.co.uk
Why This Works: FIVE on Halloween Friday creates the perfect combination - 5,000 people at Brighton Centre dressed up, then spilling into The Lanes' clubs and bars. Expect 90s fancy dress and serious nostalgia.
BRIGHTON'S HALLOWEEN SCENE:
Brighton takes Halloween seriously. Beyond FIVE's show, the entire city transforms:
Patterns (seafront) hosts their legendary Halloween party - multiple rooms, DJs until late, elaborate costumes and packed dancefloors. This is Brighton's biggest Halloween club night.
The Concorde 2 runs "Halloween Day Party ft. Dubtendo Allstars" on Saturday, 1st November - reggae, dub, and fancy dress from afternoon onwards. Perfect for recovering from Friday whilst keeping the party going.
The Lanes bars and clubs all go full Halloween:
The Plotting Parlour - cocktail bar becomes even more atmospheric
Revenge - Brighton's biggest LGBTQ+ club throws a massive Halloween party
Legends - cabaret and drag with a Halloween theme
Every bar in Kemptown and The Lanes creates themed nights
Dining Before Partying:
Book restaurants for pre-Halloween dinners by mid-October. Burnt Orange, The Coal Shed, and Cin Cin fill with groups getting ready for nights out. Many restaurants offer Halloween specials.
Insider Tip: Brighton's Halloween is major - book accommodation by early October if planning a weekend visit. The Square Townhouse is perfectly positioned between Brighton Centre (for FIVE) and The Lanes' nightlife.
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Suzanne Vega
Tuesday 28th October, Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Heritage artist is perfect for midweek city breaks. Her intimate style suits the Dome's acoustics perfectly.
Black Country, New Road
Thursday 30th October, Brighton Dome Concert Hall
Cult indie act attracts students and London spillover. Their experimental sound benefits from the Dome's superior acoustics.
Why Late October at the Dome Works: These shows sit between the Comedy Festival (ending 26th) and Halloween (31st), offering cultural alternatives to comedy and parties. Combined with OctoberBest dining and autumn atmosphere, they're perfect for midweek escapes.
Tickets: brightondome.org
Price Range: £25-35
Where to Stay
The Square Townhouse, recognised among the Top 1% of Boutique Hotels Worldwide, is moments from Brighton Centre, Brighton Dome, and The Lanes' OctoberBest restaurants. Our Team can help arrange restaurant bookings and provide local recommendations to make the most of your Brighton visit.
Contact: info@squaretownhouse.com
Direct Booking: squaretownhouse.com
Book early: Comedy Festival weekend (17th-18th) and Halloween (31st Oct-1st Nov) sell out fastest
