North Laine

Not to be confused with The Lanes, North Laine is the quarter of terraced cottages immediately south east of Brighton Station, bounded by Trafalgar Street, Queens Road, North Street and the A23. True to Brighton’s independent-minded, bohemian, fun-loving side, it’s home to a mass of independent shops, galleries, cafés and performance venues and is always teeming with young hipsters in artfully mismatched clothes. It's here that you'll find Komedia, Brighton's best alternative music, cabaret and comedy venue, and The Basement, an experimental theatre space.

If you’re in the market for a string of beads, a stack of rare vinyl, a hand-bound notebook or a pair of vegetarian shoes, North Laine is the place. This is my favourite place to go shopping in Brighton; it’s also a fun area to hang out, nibble on something organic, or just think radically creative thoughts. See my Shopping in Brighton: The Lanes and North Laine guide for more information.