A Brighton institution, The Dome is one of the city's leading gig venues platforming everyone from…read moreestablished rock, pop and funk bands to world music artists from Europe, South America and beyond. In complete contrast to the nearby Brighton Centre, it's a picturesque venue with a grand ceiling, a beautifully arched stage, a generous standing area and two tiers of comfy seats. The sound and sight lines are also top notch. I've seen The Drums, The Macabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Gossip, Pete Doherty, Bon Iver and Richard Hawley here in the last 18 months and the atmosphere was incredible at every single gig. Pete Doherty poured his drink over a heckler, Beth Ditto flirted with the audience and Bon Iver shocked everyone by doing a heavy rock number. My favourite memory of a show here however, has to be the Halloween party The Go! Team threw a few years back. They adorned the stage with pumpkins, dressed in weird costumes and had spooky films playing behind them. It was a magical evening and I danced so much, my legs ached for hours after-wards.

This Grade-I listed complex is both a highly original performance venue (with 3 performance areas,…read moreactually), and an historic building with a fascinating past. History The Dome was originally built in 1803-05 for the Prince of Wales (later George IV) as a stable block, adjacent to his then rather modest Brighton seaside villa. The architect was William Porden, and it was he who chose the iconic Indian architectural style (technically Indo-Saracenic) and designed the huge dome - originally covered in glass, 24 metres in diameter and 19 metres high, to cover a circulating area for the horses. Once completed, the new buildings so overshadowed the original villa, that the Prince instructed that they should be revamped into the iconic Brighton Pavilion we see today. The complex was sold to Brighton in the 1850s, and the Dome was developed as a concert hall in 1866. A major refurbishment in 1935 saw it modernised and given an Art Deco interior, and the Pavilion Theatre was added on the site of Mrs Fitzherbert's stables. Over the years it developed an enviable reputation as a Concert and entertainment venue for both classical and popular music, despite its notoriously poor acoustics. Famous names who performed here include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, and in 1974 it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, won famously by Abba, singing 'Waterloo'. However, both the interior and exterior were crumbling and a major refurbishment was begun in 1999, costing £22m and taking three years to complete. The revamped complex now houses 3 venues: the 1,850 seat Concert Hall, the 570 seat Corn Exchange (which also hosts non-seated events on its sprung floor) and the 220 seat Pavilion Theatre. The exterior (together with the Museum) provides a suitably exotic backdrop to the Pavilion itself. Events The Dome hosts an astonishing variety of events, from concerts, conferences and performances in the main Concert Hall, to more eclectic drama, comedy and dance in the Pavilion Theatre. I've mostly attended events in the Concert Hall, and I'd agree with others that it's a great place to visit: the seating is comfy and spacious, the acoustics are hugely improved and the unusual shape gives it an intimate feel. Practicalities It's a ten minute walk from Brighton railway station, and just about every Brighton bus route passes close by, either on North Street or the Steine. The venue has level access throughout (and specific spaces for wheelchairs in the auditoria), disabled toilets, hearing loops and printed material is available (on request) in large format. Disabled customers can apply for a complimentary ticket (one per booking) to enable them to bring a companion or access assistant with them free of charge - phone for details. Well worth a visit.

Part of the University of Brighton, the Sallis Benney Theatre is an extremely versatile venue. The…read moretheatre offers free arts lectures, experimental music events, world music and jazz performances and its also the host of the Frock Me vintage fashion fair which is absolutely fantastic. Its also an exhibition space for artists as well as the university students and at the moment is exhibiting cement based art work. There's is a cafe on site which is sometimes open depending on the event. The theatre itself seats around 300 so is perfect for lectures and musical performances a like. If you're interest in art or just at a loose end one weekend its worth checking out whats on as the program is so varied and consistently good.

The Sallis Benney Theatre is part of the Arts Faculty at the University of Brighton. Although…read morestrongly affiliated with the university, don't be fooled in to thinking that this is a place purely for amateur student productions. In fact, the theatre puts on a wide range of productions throughout the year, including the World Music Festival in October and numerous events during the May Brighton Festival and Festival Fringe. The room itself is square and basic, and is certainly no-frills. The rest of the building features a bar (student prices - whoop!) and a gallery exhibiting artwork from the local collegiate. Although not fancy in appearance, the range of productions mean that it is worth keeping an eye on the up and coming programme at the Sallis Benney.

Thank the lord for the Corn Exchange. Without it, I would never have got to see acts like The…read morePipettes and Le Tigre play gloriously ramshackle sets before splitting up. The sister venue to the grand Brighton Dome, the Corn Exchange is smaller and cosier with sold out gigs being particularly intimate and atmospheric. The fact it's usually standing only creates a good cameraderie and the bar at the back of the venue keeps the drinks flowing. As with the Dome, spirits and beer are reasonably priced but there's no Guinness on tap or in bottles. Ticket prices usually range from £15-£30 depending on how well established the acts are. PJ Harvey played a few months back and Calvin Harris and Dizzee Rascal are set to play this spring. Personally, I've seen some amazing gigs here from Cuban musicians to singer-songwriters. The best show however, was probably Brighton's own Bat For Lashes in 2009. She was so spellbinding, I think I floated home...

The Brighton Dome offers a variety of different venues, and the Corn Exchange is possibly its most…read moreversatile. As a huge hall, it can be adapted to fit a variety of different acts, from live music bands that want more standing space and the like to club nights to the occasional humongous theatre event. I've seen a variety of things in here, and it's amazing how different they can make it look. Anything performed in here will use the space in ways you haven't even imagined: prepare to be blown away each time. As well as all of the different events that can fit into the space, the Corn Exchange also often offers a bar at the back, for anyone dying for a drink during a particularly long gig, and the prices are suitably steep, although not too pricey for your typical live-event music bar. Unfortunately, the ticket prices themselves are often more than a little steep: I understand it costs a lot to see the big stars, but prices here often seem to be a lot higher than similar events elsewhere. It's one of the biggest and best live music venues in the area, and there really is no denying that, but the Corn Exchange isn't exactly the perfect fit. It's just a little bit too pricey for my liking: nothing on the big venues in London, sure, but still a bit much. Nonetheless, it is good to have a chance to see some of the big acts that the Corn Exchange pulls in: I guess not everyone has that privilege.

Such a great outdoor venue for the fringe. It's got a real festival vibe going on. A venue that…read morehosts some of the festivals acts but also an area to go for a drink and eat ! I've come here several times this year, to drink some ale and take in the atmosphere, it's always buzzing and it really goes feel like your in a festival! I love it ! Such a shame that it is going but all good things must come to a end! Until next year !!!!!

Was here for the Brighton Fringe festival. They really did a great job of transforming the space…read moreinto a space with discrete areas for shows (inside an inflatable tent), food and beer (with heat lamps), and there was even some guy who had vintage video games and CRTs. The show I saw was Shit-faced Showtime: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was hilarious. Great way to cap off our trip to Brighton!

The Basement is situated in the North Lanes and offers an alternative venue for a variety of…read moredelicious performance art and exhibitions., offers an array on unique experimental theatre and 'Live Art'. One of the regular nights 'SUPPER CLUB' is making a name for itself, it involves going along for food and a show but with no idea what you will be watching or eating, 'art chaos' is a word they use to describe it. If your an artsy type or just looking for something completely different then check out what the Basement are showing. Its fabulous ridiculousness.

The basement is an intriguing and vibrant venue that holds local art and cultural performances from…read moresingers, comedians, to visual art, story telling and poetry about sex! There are plenty of tables and seats and a few different choices of food on the menu (it varies from show to show). The bar is reasonably pricey but not over the top. The venue itself is an interesting layout with a bar area, the main stage area and a smaller room near the back, it is what it says it is - a basement, although it's very clean with laminated flooring and smells of fresh wood! The event I experienced is known as the 'Supper club' - a monthly show that contains various performances that can only be described as somewhat eccentric. There was a visual art performance using helium balloons, some acoustic musical performances and photocopier at the back where people could photocopy their body and then pin the pictures up next to their suitable category - 'non rude', 'rude' and 'explicit'. Need I go on?! The basement might not be everyone's cup of tea but it's certainly something different, a little quirky and light hearted but rather enjoyable if you're interested in the visual performance and art that Brighton has to offer, it's unquestionably a relaxing evening of entertainment.

The (Magners...yep) Brighton Comedy Festival is yet another of Brighton's annual festivals (see…read morebrighton festival, festival fringe, the great escape, film festival...), offering a host of events every autumn. The events range from cheaper local acts, to bigger names either in Brighton Dome or surrounding venues. I paid about a tenner to see 'Best of the Fest' at the Dome last year which was a bit of a dissapointment (being in a festival that included acts like Jimmy Carr, Simon Amstell, Alan Carr and Julian Clary but including no big names itself), dragged on a bit, and had a really anti-climactic final act with this cringe-worthy endless 'hospital radio' show (think, let's play a pop song, think of how this could be a song requested for someone with some medical condition e.g. Van Halen's Jump for the depressed man on the rooftop - maybe funny but not when it's over and over and over again!)... But despite this disappointment, I can't help but be a fan of yet another event that livens Brighton up and gives opportunities to some local up and coming artists.

Copy of my complaint to the cinema which says it all really…read more.. Dear Mr Allwood, I thought I should report the really poor experience I had at your cinema this evening at the hands of your manager Emily Coupland. I don't usually do things like this but I'm a fan of independent cinemas and believe Emily is doing you a disservice. I booked three tickets and then an extra one ticket for my step daughter (26), my daughter Esme (15) and her friend Molly (15). This was to see Knock Cabin which the girls were really looking forward to. They were excited and actually came in to use your toilets before we went for supper. When we returned to watch the film we were given our tickets only to then be 'pounced on' and questioned about the two younger girls ages. I confirmed they were over 15 however this wasn't accepted. We were then told they needed to produce 'ID cards' or that their mother (away on holiday) should send copies of passports. What 15 year olds carry ID cards?! The above was tantamount to telling me I was a liar. Having travelled from Lewes via Haywards Heath to pick up my stepdaughter and then do the journey in return I can safely say our whole evening has been ruined. To add insult to injury, despite remaining polite and courteous, your manager could barely suppress her smile while she refunded the tickets. Perhaps something happened when the girls came into use your toilets? Perhaps Emily just took a dislike to them for some reason? I appreciate she has a right to question their ages but to in effect accuse a father of lying seems excessive. I'll be leaving a review accordingly. Perhaps you should consider a new and more personable manager? Let me know if you do and we might come back! Thanks

I used to be taken to the cinema at Burgess Hill a lot as a child and have fond memories of the…read moreplace. it was originally built in 1919 and has gone through a number of refurbishments since then. The most significant was the addition of a second screen in 1990. As the building is not that large you will find the smaller screen quite limited and this may not be the place for someone with claustrophobia!! They won't get the new releases quite as quickly as the mega-plexes of Brighton or Crawley, but the place does retain the independent charm of it's heritage. However, they only seem to be a week or two behind and for a cheaper rate (£5.50 for an adult) and deals on family tickets, still worth a visit. They also have a 'super 8' deal where you can buy 2 seats for £8 and may use it for 50 visits. Now that's a pretty good deal and if you live in Burgess Hill well worth investing in. It's not quite as alternative as venues such as the Duke of York, but seeing as big business seems to take over everything these days, I am pleased to see my childhood favourite still going strong.

The Duke of York's is something of an institution. Now owned by City Screen, this independent-style…read morecinema specialises in cult, indie and foreign-language films, as well as re-runs of the odd classic. Opened in 1910, it's one of the first commercial cinemas to still be in operation, and the interior - complete with balcony - is largely unaltered. The main auditorium is decorated in warm, cosy colours, although it suffered during the late 1970s as a venue for early punk rock concerts. Happily, it has now been restored to its former glory. You can tell it's going to be different from the facade - which has a pair of legs sticking out, Folies-Bergeres style, from the top left of the facade. For a start, the auditorium is licenced, so you can takes alcoholic drinks with you to consume during the film. And the choice of films is definitely not mainstream (venues showing foreign-language films are a dying breed, these days). On Saturday mornings there's a Kids club, with activities and a children's film (though presumably they don't take advantage of the alcohol licence...) and they can organise children's birthday parties too. At the other extreme of the age range, on Tuesdays the over-60s can see an early-afternoon film for just £3.50, and receive complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits! It's a membership venue as well (although it is not a requirement to see a film). Members can attend all sorts of specials events, screenings and receive discounts for their £28 a year (2008 prices). The cinema has a pleasant cafe-bar, open during the day, with a balcony for nice weather (although the din of Preston Circus road junction may not be quite so nice) and wi-fi (free to customers). The cinema has limited accessibility for those with a mobility impairment - full details are on its web-site.

Think of cinemas and your head is filled with thoughts of sticky floors and stale popcorn…read more Unsurprisingly, in Brighton, things are different. Gone are the XXL cups of coke that cost more than Antigua, at the Duke of York's the offerings are homemade carrot cake and Czech lager. Celebrating its centenary year, this cinema cannot be missed if you are either living in, or visiting Brighton. The seats are comfortable, the theatre stunning and the crowds electric. Such was the Duke's importance to Brighton that many celebrities donated money to restore the Cinema.The back of the seats are littered with the names of local and national celebrities who helped keep the cinema alive. You won't find Avatar here, nor will you find the latest Hollywood 'romcom', but instead a very studious set of the world's best independent cinema. Special themed 'Lord of the rings' and 'Eurovision' nights mean you aren't just limited to a 90 minute treat, but a host of good nights out. An absolute must.