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Travel Article	Travel Article Archive

By Michael J. Darton

At Legends Bar, Brighton We Have 12 Photos From Brighton! View Thumbnails View Slideshow

Click on the link for a handy PDF version of our May 2008 Brighton travel feature!

Large white sea gulls fly low over Brighton's beach as the waves crash on the pebbled shores, locals and tourists sit on the beach eating fresh sardines and salad, and small streets with designer shops create an intimate and friendly atmosphere

With eclectic styles in interior and exterior architecture and decoration, King George IV brought fame and style to Brighton, as he built monuments to encourage society visits to the seaside. The Royal Pavilion, his unique Indo-Chinese creation, remains a landmark in the middle of town.

From London you can reach Brighton by train in about an hour, traveling through southern English countryside. National Express also runs a good daily bus service, and driving can be pleasant; but be aware, holidays can create traffic-jams.

Accommodations

Legends Hotel, Bar & Club (31-34 Marine Parade; +44-012-7362-4462) is a gay complex offering a newly-refurbished hotel with comfortable rooms (some with sea views), a huge bar with cabaret on Sundays, and -- down in the lavish underground -- a state-of-the-art disco. Food is served in the daytime, and you can sit in the bar or dine outside enjoying fantastic views. Their breakfasts, served until 10:30 a.m., are full English: my plate was overflowing bacon, sausage, eggs, toast, and mushrooms. Legends is right in the center of all the Brighton action.

Queens Hotel (1 Kings Road; +44-012-7332-1222) overlooks the Brighton Pier and promenade with all its amusements, cafes, and attractions. This first-class hotel sports an extensive gym, a pool, and sauna and sun bed. The rooms are bright and spacious, some with panoramic views of the English coast. The have a large buffet-style breakfast with muesli and fruits as well as classic English fare. There's free wi-fi available in the lobby and a computer for use, too. Queens also hosts gay weddings and civil ceremonies.

Gulliver's Hotel (12a New Steine Road) is an Automobile Association-selected hotel. Rooms are clean and comfortable with free wi-fi.

New Steine Hotel (10-11 New Steine) is a 50-meter hop from the beachfront and offers friendly service. The hotel has a restaurant -- the New Steine Bistro -- open Tuesday to Saturday, 6 until 11 p.m.

Amsterdam Hotel (11-12 Marine Parade) -- offering hotel, restaurant, bar, and sauna -- is in the midst of installing a new lift and having a major internal makeover. Their bar is busy from lunchtime. You can meet guys from all over in the ample sauna facilities.

Strawberry Fields Hotel (6-7 New Steine; +44-012-7368-1576) is a gorgeous boutique hotel.

At the gay-run, mixed-clientele Brighton Royal Hotel (76 Grande Parade; +44-012-7360-4182) the front rooms offer views of the Pavilion. The town center and seafront are within steps. The service is laid-back and friendly, and there's a fully licensed lounge and bar.

Shopping and services

Cardome (47a St. James Street) is always a fun place to visit. The range of cards and artwork on offer here is extensive, ranging from modern to classical, humorous to rude, along with the strange and surreal, too. Owner Mike Dalley keeps his shop up-to-date with books and gifts, comedy wrapping papers, aromas for one's olfactory pleasure, as well as creative cards of his own design. Mike also sells limited-edition art pieces.

Next door is Tube Station Tanning (47 St. James Street) offering infrared tanning. There is an early-bird discount if you visit the sun bed sand booths between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. Last tanning appointment is at 6:15 p.m.

Clone Zone (32 St. James Street) has positioned its store right in the center of the main gay strip. There's a full range of gifts, clothes, cards, and magazines, plus a naughty selection of DVDs and books.

Just off St. James Street is George Street, where you'll find Spruce (11 George Street), run by the professional and talented Johan. They offer cut and finish from �35 pounds, and massages from �25. You can treat your-self to a detox facial for �50. Johan's has built up a great universe of beauty here, and his attention to detail is exceptional.

Dining

Pomegranate (10 Manchester Street) is a jewel in the center of the gay area, just around the corner from St. James Street. You'll love its delightful Kurdish cuisine and its romantic fireplaces. Their wine list offers the best of Australian, Chilean, French, and Spanish vineyards, as well as champagnes. Make sure you try their stuffed figs with walnuts.

Bella Cafe (120 St. James Street) is enjoying a new makeover, which means a brighter front and more modern seating. Bella Cafe serves a variety of dishes, as well as sandwiches, teas, and coffees at popular prices. Pop in for a quick snack or relax and have a full three-course meal.

Going out

Legends Bar (31-34 Marine Parade) offers nightly clubbing until 4 a.m. on weekends, when tourists and locals get especially lively on the modern dance-floor.

Regulars pack the Queens Arms (7 George Street) nightly, and the cabaret and comedy can be heard from the street. Look out for Queen-of-the-Scene Lola Lasange, who works hard all over the U.K. and resides here in Brighton. The Queens Arms also has busy karaoke nights if you like to be the star yourself.

Revenge (32 Old Steine) has been a long-running club and sits just back from the Brighton Pier; at its next door venue, R Bar, you can dance the night away and be entertained by cabaret and strippers. On Tuesday they host Flashback with sounds of the '80s and pop hits, with selected pints of beer just �2. Each Thursday, enjoy the male-oriented Boys on the Side, with DJs from Queer Nation and Trade.

Charles Street (8 Marine Parade), along the beachfront, offers entertainment and a busy club upstairs after the bar closes. Sunday lunches are served here, with huge portions of both food and men!

Around town

Just at the peak of green hillsides as you enter Brighton is the Brighton Racecourse, set back from the beach in the Sussex Downs. As well as exciting horse races, there's high-end food and drink. They offer a three-course meal for �40-55 pounds per head in their restaurant Silks.

Brighton Festival runs May 3-25 this year and includes dance, theater, and music performances.

Brighton Pride runs from July 26 to August 3 with their Carnival Parade on the August 2.