It’s no secret that the student drinking culture is a huge part of the ‘university experience.’ So much so that students who don’t drink can often feel isolated. Fortunately, Brighton offers a large variety of things to do beyond its nightlife. Whether you’re new to the area or just want some inspiration, here’s a few sober activities to do this weekend!
1. Pottery Painting
Pottery painting can be a great choice for a weekend activity. The Pottery Painting Cafe on North Road offers painting sessions every day where you can paint any pottery of your choice. Although slightly pricey for students, as their website details you should expect to spend £25, all their items are individually priced from £13. Whilst chatting with friends and getting creative, you can enjoy some of the homemade cakes the cafe offers!
2. Karaoke Night
Lucky Voice, on Black Lion Street, is a great compromise for those who love a night out but don’t drink. For between £6 and £12 you can book a private room for 2 hours and sing your heart out. Although there is a bar, you can easily enjoy a sober night of singing, mocktails and pizza!
3. Brighton Pier
Although it may seem an obvious choice, Brighton Pier is a classic example of a sober seaside activity. With an assortment of arcades, food stalls and gift shops, the pier is an easy way to enjoy a day out with friends. There’s even a variety of fair rides and games at the end of the pier, which also sports an amazing view of the coast.
4. North Laine District
Another iconic Brighton location is the North Laine shopping district. With a variety of coffee shops, jewellery stands and boutiques, it can be quite easy to get lost within the vibrant streets. However, there are some honourable mentions. Snoopers Paradise, for example, is a huge vintage flea-market in the heart of North Laine. From vintage clothing to eclectic homeware, you could spend hours exploring the store. Photomatic is another unique stop, as the photo store allows you to take photobooth pictures for just a few pounds. With the options of colour, black and white and vintage, you can create memorable photos with their array of props.
5. Take a Walk!
Moving away from the centre of Brighton, there are plenty of scenic walking routes in the area. Stanmer Park leads to the lovely Stamner village, which is just a 20 minute walk from campus. There, you can find the Stanmer Tea Rooms and One Garden Brighton. Beyond Stamner, the university campus is surrounded by the South Downs National Park, which has a wide range of walking routes.
6. Movie Night
Although a movie night might seem an obvious choice, Duke of York’s Picturehouse is a unique spin on a classic cinema trip. As the UK’s oldest purpose-built cinema, going to one of their screenings may feel like taking a trip through time. Beyond the array of film screenings, the cinema also hosts many events such as their annual screening of The Eurovision Song Contest.
