Welcome back to The Date Edit – our column of curated date itineraries so you don’t have to overthink where to go next. Perfect for queer women, their crushes, or anyone planning something that feels intentional without turning it into a whole thing.
This is our third edition, and fittingly, it’s giving third-date energy, a day that’s easy, flirty, and just a little bit bold. You know each other well enough to joke around, not quite enough to leave your toothbrush yet. It’s time to escape the city and see what happens by the sea.
Set in Brighton, the spiritual home of queer weekends away, this date has everything: good food, bad arcade games, sea air, and just enough drinks to make things interesting.
Vibe: Seaside flirt energy, vintage charm, coastal sunsets (maybe)
Area: Brighton
Best For: A third date that accidentally turns into a weekend (if you’re lucky)
Budget: ££
Length: 6–8 hours (or longer if it’s going well – which it will)
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The Day Thing
Brunch at Mange Tout
Start your day at Mange Tout, just off Trafalgar Street. It’s a French-inspired bistro that manages to feel both relaxed and a little bit sexy. Grab a window seat if you can, great for people-watching and first-coffee nervous chat. The shakshuka hits every time, and the croque madame is perfect for sharing when you’re pretending not to be that hungry.
Brighton mornings have a certain lightness to them – everyone’s a little softer, the air smells faintly of sea salt, and by your second flat white you’ll already be planning what to do next.
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Price Point: ££
A Wander through The Lanes & The Pier
After brunch, stroll through North Laine. It’s full of indie shops, second-hand gems, and tarot readers who’ll absolutely tell you this is your soulmate (or at least your “lesson”). Pop into Snooper’s Paradise – a chaotic vintage maze where you’ll lose track of time, budget, and possibly each other.
From there, wander down to the seafront. It’s a cliché for a reason. Grab an ice cream, share some chips, and walk the pier like you’re in a queer rom-com. The arcade is a must; nothing says budding romance like competing over air hockey or winning a tiny stuffed bear that you’ll both pretend to treasure ironically. Just try not to get too competitive, its just for fun…
If the weather’s good, dip your toes in the sea. If it’s not, lean into it, Brighton looks best in a light drizzle anyway.
Price Point: £ (depending on how many arcade games you play)
The Afternoon Thing
A Late Afternoon Drink with a views
By now you’ll want a drink. Head to The Mesmerist or The Walrus for afternoon pub vibes and a bit of atmosphere, or keep walking towards The Tempest Inn, a cave-like pub right on the beach it’s not fancy but it’s a good area to drink where you can have a some conversation and warm up after all the strolling. Order something with gin (because Brighton), find a booth and watch the waves crash outside. If you’re feeling fancy, book a table at The Ivy in the Lanes, the interiors are stunning, the martinis are ‘chefs kiss,’ and it’s a solid spot for extending the date into dinner.
Price Point: ££ (if you go to The Ivy it may be slightly more £)
If It Goes Well
The Plotting Parlour
End the day at The Plotting Parlour (this is our personal favourite) is tucked away just off the seafront. It’s small, intimate, and ideal for when the flirting has levelled up. The bartenders know their stuff, go for a salted caramel espresso martini or something floral. It’s the kind of place that means you can get a little closer.
By now, the lights will have dimmed, the drinks will have kicked in, and Brighton will be doing what it does best, creating that feeling that you don’t want the night to end.
Price Point: ££
Wrap-Up
Start wholesome with brunch, get a little silly in the arcades, and finish the day leaning against each other watching the waves. A day in Brighton has a way of softening everything; it’s easy, romantic, and just the right amount of unplanned.
Whether it’s your third date, your first proper one, or the start of something slightly serious (well done you), it’s the kind of day that feels like summer even when it isn’t.
See you next time for the next instalment of The Date Edit.
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
