Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House

Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House

Welcoming the poolside season with a day of celebration for the UK’s first House by the sea

Friday 27 May 2022     By Anastasiia Fedorova

The moon landing, Beyoncé at Coachella, and when Geri Halliwell dramatically quit the Spice Girls – we all remember where we were when such moments shook the cultural landscape. Now, add the opening of the new Soho House in Brighton to the list. A bit dramatic? Not if you were there. Today’s trip was no ordinary affair – a crowd of Founder members from the local creative community gathered to celebrate the opening of Brighton Beach House. 

Located on Madeira Drive, the House is set across two floors and takes inspiration from the surrounding seaside landscape and Art Deco architecture. It’s a contemporary ode to the city’s unique atmosphere and history. The steps to the entrance lead up from the beach onto the terrace with ornamental Regency-style lampposts. Once inside, the sea views won’t let you forget the calming (and gleaming on a luckily sunny day) presence of the expansive horizon.

A day into evening celebration started at 12pm with guests arriving on a red double-decker bus. With drinks and food served outside, across the lofts, club spaces and Cecconi’s, large amounts of fish and chips, tacos, cocktails and Lady A rosé were consumed. The soundtrack of the day was shaped by vinyl selector Nicola Earthboogie in the club room, with live sets from The Juke Joints, Omar, Woody Cook and special guest Sam Ryder – straight from Eurovision and onto the beachfront. 

A walk through the airy club reception with a natural red and cream stone mosaic floor, linen curtains and a light blue painted ceiling immediately makes you remember – this is seaside holiday time – even if you only dropped in for an hour. The entrance foyer also features a wraparound mural by local artist Aimée Parrott, which references the area’s archaeological past.

The art collection displayed throughout the House sparked many conversations throughout the day. The Brighton Beacon Collection was guest curated by queer art specialist Gemma Rolls-Bentley and comprises of work from international LGBTQIA+ artists. It is a love letter to Brighton as a historical beacon city for the queer community and features artists from various backgrounds and locations, including masters such as David Hockney, Maggi Hambling, Isaac Julien, Catherine Opie, Elmgreen & Dragset, and emerging talents like Gray Wielebinski and Sin Wai Kin. 

The already much-talked-about outdoor pool, designed by David Shrigley in the shape of a banana (‘a metaphor for eccentricity, decadence and craziness’) expectedly became a gravitation point of the day – for poolside cocktails, conversations, dipping your toes – and even a leisurely swim. The windows of the upstairs club space thankfully could remain fully open to allow members to sit on the ledge overlooking the sea – and escape the heat if necessary. Cheers to the many seaside days and nights that are yet to come. 

With special thanks to Pentire, Supergoop!, Pangaia, Sunny Life, and Ocean Bottle.
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House
Sun, sea and Lady A: The opening of Brighton Beach House | Soho House

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