What's On in Brighton
Friday 18 September 2026 · This weekend · City guide
Brighton is turning up the dial this Friday, with the city's famous capacity for mischief and magic on full display. Whether you fancy a night of sharp punchlines, an intimate encounter with a rising comedy star, or losing yourself on a dancefloor until the early hours, 18 September has something to make your weekend feel properly alive. Pull on your jacket, head out early, and stay out late — this city rewards the curious.
Highlights

The Secret Comedy Club Fridays — There is something wonderfully conspiratorial about a comedy night that keeps its line-up under wraps, and Artista Cafe And Gallery is the perfect intimate setting for exactly that kind of delicious surprise. Arrive at 7:00pm, settle in with a drink, and let the mystery unfold — the secret format means every act is a genuine discovery, and the relaxed gallery atmosphere makes it feel more like a gathering of friends than a formal night out. At £18–£20, it is a brilliantly affordable way to hand your Friday evening over to the unknown.

Ginger Johnson: Show Pony — Ginger Johnson brings their singular brand of larger-than-life comedy to The Old Market at 8:00pm, and if you have ever seen this performer work a room, you will know that staying home is simply not an option. Show Pony promises to be a full-throttle, gloriously unhinged showcase of character, wit, and theatrical daring in one of Brighton's most beloved mid-sized venues. Tickets are £18–£20, and the atmosphere at The Old Market always feels like something between a gig and a party — expect to leave with aching cheeks.

Freak of Nature Comedy — The Caxton Arms is one of those proper Brighton pubs that feels like it was built specifically for nights like this — cosy, characterful, and never trying too hard. Freak of Nature Comedy kicks off at 8:00pm and leans into the weird and wonderful end of the comedy spectrum, making it a fantastic pick for anyone who finds mainstream stand-up a little too polished. Check the website for ticket prices and prepare yourself for something genuinely off-piste.

Sofia Kourtesis — Peruvian-German producer and DJ Sofia Kourtesis is one of the most emotionally resonant voices in contemporary electronic music, weaving together deep house, melodic techno, and personal storytelling in a way that feels both euphoric and profoundly human. Quarters Brighton hosts her from 11:00pm, a venue with a sound system and an intimate scale that suit her warmly enveloping style perfectly. At £9–£19, this is the kind of night that people talk about for months afterwards — do not let it slip past you.

SiZE & Vybe Voyage @ The Volks w/ Christian Smith — The Volks is a Brighton institution, tucked beneath the arches by the seafront and carrying decades of dancefloor history in its walls, and this Friday it hosts SiZE and Vybe Voyage alongside techno heavyweight Christian Smith. Doors at 11:00pm signal the start of a serious late-night session driven by relentless, precision-engineered club music from a guest with serious international credentials. Entry is £8–£14, which for the quality on offer makes this one of the best-value ways to greet Saturday morning.
Full listings
| Event | Venue | Time | Price | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nightlife | |||||
| SiZE & Vybe Voyage @ The Volks w/ Christian Smith | The Volks Nightclub | 11:00pm | £8–£14 | Tickets | |
| Sofia Kourtesis | Quarters Brighton | 11:00pm | £9–£19 | Tickets | |
| Comedy | |||||
| The Secret Comedy Club Fridays | Artista Cafe And Gallery | 7:00pm | £18–£20 | Tickets | |
| Ginger Johnson: Show Pony | The Old Market | 8:00pm | £18–£20 | Tickets | |
| Freak of Nature Comedy | Caxton Arms | 8:00pm | Check website | Tickets | |