Good morning, Brighton. Well Wednesday’s celestial spectacular was totality awesome. Devils Dyke, Brighton Beach and Hollingbury Hillfort all looked packed out with people trying to catch a glimpse. After my cloudy experience in ‘99; it truly eclipsed my expectations… and done.

In today’s Brighton Scoop:

  • Brighton's A-Level Stars Shine Again!

  • Vagabond Wines pours into town

  • Fangs and Games at Preston Manor

  • Wednesday’s solar-bration

- Phil Reynolds

What’s the Scoop

Brighton's A-Level Stars Shine Again

🎓 Brighton & Hove's A-level students have done it again—hitting the national average for an impressive 13th year running! A whopping 98.3% of students achieved grades A to E, with 63.4% bagging the top grades A to B.

Not content with just traditional routes, over 1,500 students tackled vocational qualifications, posting a stellar 97.4% pass rate. Whether heading to university, apprenticeships, or employment, these clever clogs have proven they've got the goods. Councillor Emma Daniel praised their commitment and work ethic, while schools and the National Careers Service stand ready to help anyone needing guidance on next steps. Brilliant stuff!

Vagabond Wines Pours into town

🍷 Wine lovers, rejoice! Self-pour wine specialists Vagabond Wines are opening their first high street location outside London on Duke Street in The Lanes this autumn. The 2,980 sq ft venue—formerly Browns Brasserie—will feature over 100 wines by the glass via innovative self-serve machines, plus a chic staircase adorned with riddling racks and a tank-inspired bar.

Backed by Majestic Wine Group, this marks Vagabond's expansion beyond the capital following Birmingham's 2021 launch. The company recently scooped Producer of the Year at the Independent English Wine Awards 2026 (trophy winners), with seven medal-winning wines. Expect private dining, tastings, and a colourful slice of Vagabond's vibrant wine experience—one pour at a time!

Fangs and Games at Preston Manor

🧛🏻‍♂️ Fancy yourself a vampire slayer? Head to Brighton's spookiest spot, Preston Manor, for The Slayers—an immersive three-hour social deduction game that'll have you plotting, scheming, and backstabbing like a pro.

Created by the clever folks behind Pier Pressure Escape Rooms, this original experience blends The Traitors, Werewolf, and Blood on the Clocktower vibes. You'll compete in challenges, gather intel, form alliances, and ultimately decide who gets staked! It's equal parts strategy, party game chaos, and supernatural drama. Happening August 15th, 22nd, and 29th, The Slayers promises suspicion, deception, and delicious drama. Book your tickets now—if you dare! Info & Bookings

Wednesday’s solar-bration

Weather

Friday 14/8

☀️ | 📈 29° | 📉 19° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ SW 7mph | 🌊 <1ft

Saturday 15/8

🌤️ | 📈 28° | 📉 16° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ NE 7mph | 🌊 <1ft

Sunday 16/8

☀️ | 📈 24° | 📉 15° | ☔️ <5% | 🌬️ SW 7mph | 🌊 <1ft

Beautiful Brighton

Photo by @finheg

Be sure to tag us @brightonscoop to get your photos featured

Local Cinema

Cinema’s aren’t going to fill themselves. Break a habit of a lifetime, turn off Netflix, get off the sofa and potter down to your local (cinema).

Duke of York’s Picturehouse - Book

Tony | 🎈Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Outdoor: Muriel’s Wedding | 🎈The Pirates! In Adventure with Scientists! | Odyssey | Outdoor: Evil Dead 2 | The Leopard | Evangelion: Death (True) & The End of Evangelion | Outdoor Preview: Teenage Sex & Death At Camp Miasma

Dukes at Komedia - Book

🎈The Summer Book | 🎈Spider-Man: Brand New Day | Odyssey | Fears for Queers: I Saw The TV Glow | Nimrods: A Green Day Comedy | Little Miss Sunshine (20th Anniversary) | 🎈The Pirates! In Adventure with Scientists!

New Restaurant

Chilli Pickle Wali Gali - Grab & Go Lunch Spot | 12-2.30| 6-8 Meeting House Lane

The Chilli Pickle launches WALI GALI, a Delhi-inspired grab-and-go concept (view launch video on Instagram) . Daily lunchtime (12pm–2.30pm) offers three tandoor-cooked naan rolls—lamb, chicken, or paneer—loaded with fresh salad, chutney, and pickles. At £8 per roll (or £10 meal deal), it's brilliant value for hungry Brightonians craving authentic street food without the fuss.

What’s On & Community Fun

🎈 Family friendly events

Friday 14/8

  • 🎈Story Magic | Komedia | 10 & 11am | Book

  • Knit & Natter | Kemptown Book Shop | 10-1pm | Info

  • Forge Comedy Club | 8pm | Book

  • Dane Baptiste + MC Martin Warren + Neil McFarlane + Josh Dillon + 2 | The Secret Comedy Club | 7pm | Book

  • Komedia Comedy Club | 8pm | Book

  • Poolside Live: Midnights at Saltdean Lido | Saltdean | 7.30pm | Info

  • Crystal the Witch Tarot Reading | The Actors | 7pm

Saturday 15/8

  • 🎈Children’s Storytelling | 10.30-11.15am | Info

  • 🎈Peter Rabbit | BOAT | 1 & 4pm | Book

  • 🎈Kick off! A family weekend of football fun | Brighton Museum & Pavillion | 11-4pm | Info

  • 🎈Saltdean Lido Family Fun Day | Saltdean Lido | 10-6pm | Tickets

  • Flo Road Market | 15+ Stalls | Outside One Church | 9.30-1.30pm

  • Dane Baptiste + MC Martin Warren + Stephanie Laing + Matt Rouse | The Secret Comedy Club | 7pm | Book

  • Komedia Comedy Club | 8pm | Book

Sunday 16/8

  • 🎈Kick off! A family weekend of football fun | Brighton Museum & Pavillion | 11-4pm | Info

  • 🎈Preston Park Market | Street Food, Cakes & Bakes | Preston Park | 10-3pm

  • 🎈Rockwater Family Festival | Rockwater | 11-5pm | Info

  • 🎈Peter Rabbit | BOAT | 1 & 4pm | Book

  • Contact Dance Jam In The Park plus Sunset Picnic & Social | Withdean Park | 5-9pm | Info

Live Music

Friday 14/8

  • Friday Sunset Vives | Off The Beach Hove Lagoon | 4-9pm

  • Chega Mais presents: Alena Arpels | Alphabet | 10.30pm | Info

  • Marshall Jefferson | Concorde 2 | 6pm | Info

  • The Stoneham | Live Music Fridays | 6pm

  • BRIGHTON IS ANTIFASCIST CARNIVAL AFTER PARTY | Daltons | 6pm | Info

  • Bighead | Green Door Store | 7pm | Book

  • OUT OF THE BLUE | Neptune Inn | 9pm

  • The Wattles | Bee’s Mouth | 7.30pm

  • Andrea von Kampen | Folklore Rooms | 7.30pm | Book

Saturday 15/8

  • Big Summer Sing - Free Brighton Choir | Lewes Road Inn | 3-7pm | Book

  • Supernatural Things | Black Horse | 7.30pm | Info

  • Sika, e-boo, Lira | Alphabet | 10.30pm | Info

  • Stardrive | Daltons | 11pm | Book

  • ZACHARY DOGWOOD BAND | Neptune Inn | 9pm

  • BUSTIN' A GROOVE | Blue Anchor | 8.45pm

Sunday 16/8

  • Artista Jazz Jam | Arista | 6-9pm | Free | Book

  • Music Open Mic | The Actors | 7pm

  • Theatre Music Open Mic | The Actors | 7.30pm

  • MARIE DANCE & THESEUS | Neptune Inn | 4pm

Cheers for popping by

Great to have you follow the Scoop today. If you liked it, do share us with your nearest and dearest. There’s a coffee on me if you spot me in town.