If Calvin Harris and Agynes Deyn decided to trade in the bright lights of the capital for a new life beside the seaside, you’d hope they would end up somewhere like Ghetto Brighton. This outpost of London’s popular gay indie club offers a breath of sea air for all those on the south coast who believe there’s life after house music.

The Venue
From its easily accessed site at the bottom of St James’s Street, formerly the home of lesbian favourite Candy Bar, Ghetto Brighton is not only at the heart of the city’s gay clubland but also has its finger firmly on its pulse. Just like its older sister Ghetto London, the club relishes its basement location and all the faux-seedy connotations that go with it. The recent refurb has created a decor that sits just the right side of trashy with a decent-sized dance floor and even a pool table (clearly hanging on to its residency from the club’s years as a lesbian bar).

The Love and Hate alcoves deserve a special mention too. Not only can they be hired free of charge for private parties, they come complete with a free bottle of bubbly and goodie bags stuffed full of either lovely or hateful surprises.

The People
With two universities nearby plus Brighton’s proud resident population of artistic types and general loafers, the gay scene here has been overdue a solid indie club for a while. Ghetto Brighton hasn’t so much raced to fill this void as breezed in looking fabulous in vintage Aviators and a House of Holland tartan, creating a fresh new venue for the city’s more alternative inhabitants. As different nights attract different crowds, you’re always guaranteed a vibrant and fashionable mix of people, with little evidence of the attitude found elsewhere on the scene.

The Music
As well as legendary London club nights Popstarz (Fridays), Miss-shapes (Wednesdays) and Wigout (Saturdays), the club also welcomes established local upstarts Shibby Shabblers (Mondays) and Twisted Karaoke (Tuesdays). So varied is the playlist there should be something to suit every musical taste from classic indie, pop and electro through to RnB. Thursdays and Sundays each play host to a monthly rotation of special guest nights ranging from a Country and Western hoedown to the infamous Sirens, an extravanganza of lesbian burlesque and poledancing – don’t forget those dollar bills, girls!

The Drink
As you might expect from a club which attracts large amounts of students, cheap and cheerful is the name of the game at the bar which offers a good range of draught and bottled beers, wines and spirits. There’s an extra-long happy hour between 5.30 and 8.30 every night with most drinks setting you back just £1.50 plus drinks are from £1.50 all night, Monday to Thursday. The cocktail list is also worth a look, although if you value your basic motor functions you’d be wise to steer clear of the aptly named Flatliner.

The Last Word
With its relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere and refreshingly alternative playlist, Ghetto Brighton has breathed new life into the city’s gay scene. As a result, this is one club that truly deserves the moniker ghetto fabulous.

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