Vivid People 80s & 90s Brighton Weekender
A weekend party celebrating 80s and 90s music and culture at various Brighton venues.
THECITYBRIEF
Hastings
Subscribe now for a free, weekly personalised email on what's going on in Hastings.
Delivered every Thursday.
By subscribing, you agree to receive weekly emails from The City Brief. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Free forever. No spam.
We've sent a confirmation email. Click the link in your email to complete your subscription.
You know that moment walking past Marine Court, art deco glamour fading into sea mist. Hastings has always hummed with stories: smugglers’ tunnels under West Hill, fisherman’s huts at Rock-a-Nore, the Bayeux Tapestry whispering history from a museum case.
But between Instagram threads and event group chaos, it's easy to miss what really matters, like the True Crime Museum’s real death bed or Hastings Contemporary’s latest show.
We spend our weeks tracking down local magic: hidden pubs in America Ground, cannon drills at the Shipwreck Museum, new art openings near Holy Trinity Church.
Your weekly City Brief brings it all to your inbox, no scrolls required.
A peek inside recent issues



A weekend party celebrating 80s and 90s music and culture at various Brighton venues.
Singer-songwriter Chantel McGregor performs a special blues rock set in Hastings with Revenant as support.
A Friends-themed quiz event with brunch at Hastings Pier, offering the final 30 tickets.
Hastings musician Tom Fryer debuts original electronic music blending breakbeat, jungle, and alt-pop at The Pigs Palace.
The Belfast Barber Bash offers education, socialising, and celebrates barber culture at Hastings Pier.
Sisters Doll perform melodic rock at The Pig's Palace in Hastings with special guests Paradise Sins.
A beginner-friendly line dancing session hosted at Stade Hall.
A weekly folk music session takes place at The Stag Inn in Hastings.
Comedian Nathan Cassidy performs his new stand-up show, 'Ewwww!', at The Jenny Lind.
Diane Spencer performs at French's Bar, showcasing her musical talent to audiences.
A weekend party celebrating 80s and 90s music and culture at various Brighton venues.
Singer-songwriter Chantel McGregor performs a special blues rock set in Hastings with Revenant as support.
Looking for something specific in Hastings?
The City Brief keeps me in the loop on local events. I never miss a thing anymore.
A newsletter that actually covers what's happening and not full of ads. Highly recommend.
Simple, useful, and delivered right to my inbox. Exactly what I needed.
It's the main place I check to see what's on at the weekend. Saves me doom-scrolling through everything else.
The City Brief makes it easy to spot the good stuff before everyone else does.
Brazilian artist Janaina Tschäpe unveils a new ocean-inspired exhibition at Hastings Contemporary.
An exhibition at Hastings Contemporary explores familial bonds in the art of Henry Moore and Lucian Freud.
Miguel Rothschild unveils a new site-specific seascape installation at Hastings Contemporary, exploring ocean depths and environmental aware
Stade Hall hosts a beginner-level line dancing class for all skill levels.
Sisters Doll perform melodic rock at The Pig's Palace in Hastings with special guests Paradise Sins.
A beginner-friendly line dancing session is hosted at Stade Hall.
Local musicians perform live folk music at a weekly session hosted by The Stag Inn.
England faces Ghana in a World Cup 2026 group game at Kent's largest fan park with multiple screens and live party events.
A comedy night featuring stand-up performances at Ingleside House in Gloucester.
The Belfast Barber Bash offers education, socialising, and celebrates barber culture at Hastings Pier.
Nightlife & Music
The Stag InnThe Stag Inn is on High Street in Hastings and serves real ale at multiple handpumps during evening hours.
View Info →Nightlife & Music
Barnaby's LoungeBarnaby's Lounge is on St Leonards Road in Hastings.
View Info →Nightlife & Music
The PiperThe Piper is a live music spot on St.
View Info →Laser Combat Arena
Battlezone Laser CombatYou can find Battlezone Laser Combat at White Rock Gardens in Hastings.
View Info →Leisure Centre
Bexhill Leisure PoolYou can find Bexhill Leisure Pool at Ravenside Retail & Leisure Park, a key fitness and recreation hub for locals in East Sussex.
View Info →You can find live music at venues across St Leonards and the Old Town, family events near Alexandra Park, food festivals along The Stade, and theatre performances at White Rock Theatre. Activities in Hastings range from exploring historic sites like Hastings Castle and Smugglers’ Adventure to coastal walks through East Hill or West Hill. Events include seasonal markets, annual festivals such as Jack in the Green, and community gatherings tied to recurring traditions.
In St Leonards-on-Sea and along The Stade, look for seasonal markets, film festivals like Hastings Rocks, music events at Kings Road venues, and arts exhibitions linked to local heritage. Family activities are available across neighbourhoods including Rock-a-Nore Beach and Hollington with playground access near Source Park. Live performances often happen in coastal spaces or historic buildings such as Holy Trinity Church.
The site lists what’s happening this week or this weekend clearly by category, Food & Drink, Family & Kids, Nightlife & Music, Culture & Arts, Fitness & Outdoors, Shopping & Markets. You can browse by venue type like the Old Town Market Hall or White Rock Theatre, explore local guides covering areas such as East Hill Funicular access points, and check event calendars linked directly to neighbourhoods including St Leonards-on-Sea and West Hill.
Hastings offers a varied weekly programme across its established neighbourhoods. Food and drink gatherings include pop-up markets, while cultural exhibitions take place at venues such as White Rock Theatre or Hastings Contemporary. Family activities are available at Alexandra Park, including drop-in sessions for children aged three to twelve. Fitness walkers use routes along the East Hill Funicular Railway, with regular morning walks on Tuesdays and Fridays. Shopping experiences can be found in the Old Town’s narrow twittens, where independent retailers operate throughout the week. Live music events are common across pubs and theatres within the Nightlife & Music category.
Events occur primarily in St Leonards-on-Sea, West Hill, East Hill, Rock-a-Nore Beach, The Stade, America Ground, and the Old Town. Key venues include White Rock Theatre on the seafront, Smugglers’ Caves accessible via the West Hill Funicular Railway, and Hastings Country Park near East Hill Lift. Public spaces such as The Stade are used for music festivals in summer months or parades during seasonal events like the Old Town Carnival.
Yes. Families can visit Fishermen’s Museum at Rock-a-Nore, which features a preserved lugger and interactive displays on local fishing heritage. Children also enjoy the immersive tunnel exhibit at Hastings Aquarium, where marine creatures swim beneath glass walls. Nature trails are accessible from East Hill Funicular Railway or along Rock-a-Nore Beach paths near The Stade beachfront.
Regular live performances take place across bars such as 180 Sports Bar, ADA, and Albion in the St Leonards-on-Sea district. Events include electronic dance (DNB) nights at Good Friday DNB Madness or themed open tech sessions hosted monthly at Observer Building. Karaoke is available weekly at Yates venue on Sundays and Tuesdays during weekends. Community-led gatherings occur every Tuesday and Thursday from 3–5pm in Barnaby’s Lounge.
To discover what's on, consult The City Brief’s dedicated listings page for current updates across categories like Family & Kids at Alexandra Park; Nightlife & Music featuring live sets at White Rock Theatre and other venues such as Source Park BMX area. Culture & Arts exhibitions are held by Hastings Contemporary art gallery or along East Hill Funicular Railway routes connecting coastal areas with scenic views while offering access points for visitors.