The very best of Christmas shopping in Brighton and Hove
It’s Christmas! Last weekend Brighton and Hove retailers breathed a huge sigh of relief as we took to the shops with a vengeance, delivering one of the best pre-Christmas weekends for years. Why did it take us so long? According to one Argus report, we’d been busy saving up. How’s that for a profound change in the Zeitgeist, compared to 2007 when we were borrowing like there was no tomorrow. Good to see, don’t you think?
Whatever the reason for our early December splurge, a lot of us are obviously in the mood to party. It’s been a challenging year for many of us, a boom year for others. We’re living in ‘interesting’ times, in the Chinese sense… often more scary than fun. But we’re a resilient lot in Brighton and Hove, whether we’re genuine locals or washed up here like eccentric flotsam and jetsam from less tolerant parts of our lovely green island.
So folks, let’s celebrate Christmas in the finest British Brighton & Hove tradition. Whether or not you’re a Christian, it’s time to mark the winter solstice and our survival through the winter so far, be nice to one another, buy thoughtful gifts to say thank you to the people we love and party like there’s no tomorrow.
The City centre, North Laine, London Road, Kemptown, Seven Dials, Church Street, George Street, Portland Road and all our city’s excellent shopping and entertainment areas are waiting to make this Christmas your best for ages! Here’s our top recommendations for some of the best Christmas shopping and entertainment in Brighton and Hove this year.
Shops
Walk In Wardrobe
Try on gorgeous gowns and frilly frocks, frivolous party wear and seriously sophisticated dresses for very special occasions at Walk in Wardrobe. Take your friends, walk a private catwalk, have a fantastic time choosing the perfect dress and luscious accessories to knock ‘em dead this Christmas!
Restaurants
Topolino Duo
Enjoy beautifully cooked, eye-catchingly prepared snacks, lunch and dinner at Topolino Duo, the home of mouth-wateringly good Italian food, an excellent choice of wines and really great service. Oh those rich, fresh Italian flavours!
Sam's of Brighton
Treat yourself to a long, relaxed and incredibly tasty brunch, lunch or dinner. Give your body and spirit a boost with fresh local ingredients and creatively prepared classic recipes. All in a wonderfully comfortable, elegant dining space.
Sam's of Seven Dials
An award winning neighbourhood bistro up at Seven Dials, Sam’s is stylish and unpretentious. Serving exciting modern British dishes with seasonal ingredients sourced locally where possible and an amazing wine list.
Millan Tandoori
Perfect for Hove residents and delivering as far west as Shoreham, Millan Tandoori is your prime destination for superior food and an ever-changing, creative menu of classic Indian dishes and contemporary dishes. Eat in our order from home. Either way it’s simply delicious!
Health and wellbeing
Chiropractic Life
Head to Portland Road if Christmas shopping – or life in general! - has left you with aches and pains. When you feel good, you look good. It’s Dr McMinn at Chiropractic Life’s job to help you reach and maintain optimum health. New Year resolutions at the ready!
LGM Nutrition
Lucy McRickard is a qualified nutrition therapist, your first stop if you’re determined to change your wicked ways and eat for a healthier future! With her help you’ll soon be looking better, feeling better and enjoying life much more. No nonsense, practical support and advice. Perfect.
Bikram Yoga Brighton
It’s cold outside. You’re feeling worn and tired after a hard year’s work. Treat yourself to Dynamic Hot Yoga with Bikram Yoga and give your body and spirit a new lease of life. You’ll feel flexible, energised, pain-free, supple, relaxed and detoxified. Absolutely lovely.
Activities
Q Leisure
Visit Qleisure, one of the South’s biggest purpose built activity centres and an amazing party venue catering for children, adults and businesses. Excellent value for money, it’s your ideal event venue for work Christmas parties, family celebrations, team building events and corporate events.
Check out our Events Listing for some fabulous festive activities to take part in this season, from Carol Singing, Skating to Theatre and Markets...
Health and Beauty
DNK
Want to look your very best for Christmas? Head to DNK, one of the city’s premier hairdressers, for the full range of hair services and a warm welcome. Go henna red, have a cut, extensions or hair straightening treatment, love a perms or highlights, choose dramatic tints…
Afra7
A salon with a difference, Afra7 is run by Ayven Ibrahim, who has created a truly unique range of hair and beauty treatments. Sheer luxury at an affordable price!
Cosmetics
A New You
If you’re feeling baggy, saggy, flabby, wonky or wrinkly and you want to ring in the changes for the new year – or give someone you love a very special gift – pop along to A New You in Trafalgar street for top cosmetic surgery and a range of fab non-surgical treatments.