Brighton Dome
Brighton & Hove
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Brighton Dome
Welcome to Brighton Dome, where history speaks and culture breathes in the architectural masterpiece, which has been revered for generations for its contribution to Brighton’s vibrant arts and culture scenes.
The building, formerly belonging to the Prince Regent, still stands as a testament to the city’s kaleidoscope of cultural brilliance; the acoustics have echoed the hits of innumerable legendary artists, and the three venues nestled inside Brighton Dome always go beyond serving music fans by hosting avant-garde theatre, political and historical talks, comedy performances and dance ensembles.
Step through the doors and become a part of the iconic venue’s continuing legacy.
History and Heritage
The Indo-Saracenic archaeology of Brighton Dome is a rich tapestry of time and talent; its history can be traced back to King George IV’s reign, as it was originally built in 1805 to serve as the Prince Regent’s riding house. Later into its lineage, it evolved into a military hospital during WW1 and later a venue famous for its celebrations of history, art, and culture. To this day, it is lauded as one of the UK’s premier multi-arts venues, which has witnessed everything from pioneering arts festivals to political conferences.
In 1974, ABBA used the venue to win the Eurovision Song Contest, and ABBA are far from the only international icons to perform in the beacon for art and culture enthusiasts, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix have all tested the capacity of the always laudable sound systems.
Cultural Events and Performances
Brighton Domes’ itinerary of events is always as eclectic as it is entertaining. From classical music to contemporary, stand-up comedy performances to intellectually enlightening talks and debates, performances from prestigious theatre companies to circus acts, it all happens under the Domed roof.
Throughout 2023 and into 2024, visitors can book tickets for Tom Allen’s critically acclaimed comedy show, a backstage tour of Brighton Dome, attend an evening with Amy Beard, and watch John Grant & Richard Hawley sing Patsy Cline. For up-to-date on cultural events and performances, consult the What’s On pages.
Venue Facilities
In addition to the main Concert Hall, Brighton Dome also contains the exhibition and performance space, The Corn Exchange, and the Studio Theatre, perfect for more intimate events.
The Concert Hall has a seating capacity of 1700 and a standing capacity of 1860; the state-of-the-art sound system is equipped for everything from rock gigs to orchestral performances; it also boasts an advanced lighting rig for showstopping performances.
The Corn Exchange has recently been renovated and reopened; the Van Gogh Live experience was the inaugural event in the Grade-I listed venue, which used to be an archaeological and geological museum.
The Studio Theatre has also recently been renovated, but the venue remains a cosy space where international theatre and dance companies are glad to entertain. For theatre performances, the maximum capacity is 267; for cabaret performances, the capacity is reduced to 60.
Visitor Experiences
Tickets to all public events and performances can be purchased directly via the Brighton Dome’s official website. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased via one of the Dome’s ticket partners, such as Skiddle. If booking directly through the venue’s website, you can view the seating plan for each performance and choose your preferred seats, or you can use the ‘Best Available Seats’ option. For visitors with limited mobility or those who need a wheelchair position, it is advised to call the ticket office on 01273 709 709; the ticket office is open from Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
45 minutes before evening performances, visitors are welcome to relax in the foyer, which serves a wide selection of wines, beer and ale from Bedlam Brewery and gin from the Brighton Gin Company. For daytime events, you will be welcomed into the café bar, which serves snacks, pastries, and a selection of hot and soft drinks.
Visitors should also be on the lookout for the Secret Restaurant at Brighton Dome, which crafts its menu from locally sourced produce. Naturally, the menu changes with the seasons, but ice creams and sorbets from Boho Gelato of Brighton, and cheese from the Cheese Man of Brighton have become staples on the sample menus.
Plan Your Visit
If you are travelling by car, note that on-street parking is very limited; many visitors choose to use the NCP Theatre Car Park. The closest railway station is Brighton Railway Station; it should take no longer than ten minutes to walk from the station, which provides regular services to and from London. The nearest bus stops are Pavilion Parade, Queen’s Road, and North Street. To plan your bus journey, use the Brighton & Hove Journey planner.
As Brighton Dome is nestled in Brighton’s Cultural Quarter, there is a variety of nearby accommodations, including Air BnB apart-hotels, budget lodgings and five-star luxury hotels. Consult Booking.com to find the nearest hotels to the Dome.
The Dome is always open to venue hire and private events enquiries; to book concerts, shows, and other performances, email jody.yebga@brightondome.org or call 01273 260 815. For private events, such as weddings and conferences, contact events@brightondome.org, or call 01273 261 524.
Membership and Support
Brighton Dome is a registered charity which relies on the support of donors and members who share their vision of changing lives via artistic inspiration.
Membership packages start from £35 annually; as a member, you will get priority access to guaranteed to sell out performances, unlock a 20% discount at the bar, and never pay booking fees when purchasing event tickets. Start, renew, or gift a membership here.
In addition to enlisting members with enticing year-round benefits, the Dome runs many other initiatives to inspire benevolence; you can join the patron’s circle, make a one-off donation, name a seat in the freshly furbished Studio Theatre or Corn Exchange, become a sponsor, or leave a gift in your will. Discover all the ways you can support Brighton Dome here.
Online Resources
For more information on the Brighton Dome, visit the official website and use their Facebook profile, Instagram feed, or Twitter page for further exploration and updates.
The Dome also has a YouTube channel where you can learn about the institution’s history, watch trailers for upcoming shows, view snippets from past performances, and be enlightened by interviews with everyone from Simon Reeve to Emma Frankland.
Community Engagement and Education
While some cultural landmarks solely showcase talent, Brighton Dome inspires it by giving the next generation of artists the tools to cultivate their creativity.
Throughout the year, the community, young and old, novice or savant, are welcome to get involved with outreach initiatives (open to schools, youth clubs, and other community groups), such as educational programs and workshops.
Currently, the Van Gogh Alive experience, tailored to provide a comprehensive understanding of the arts and an enriching experience, is open for school bookings.
Check out the What’s On page to find more opportunities for knowledge-sharing, community bonding and artistic expression. In the past, the Dome has allowed attendees to try their hand at everything from music composition to theatre production to dancing with world-renowned choreographers; to keep entertainment accessible to everyone, the Dome has been known to offer discounted tickets to performances and shows for marginalised members of the community.
