Spellbound's Birthday Party Special

Spellbound is hitting a significant milestone this spring. The club night, which has been running for seven years longer than the decade it celebrates, is marking its 17th Birthday Party Special on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The celebration is set for the usual spot, the Komedia Studio Bar in Brighton, promising a night dedicated entirely to the Alternative 80s sound.

If you’ve been to Spellbound before, you know the atmosphere is key. The night is designed to replicate the experience of walking into an actual alternative club during the 1980s, right down to the smoke machines and the specific drink choices. The music focuses strictly on the 1979 to 1989 era, covering the full spectrum of genres that defined the scene: Goth, Post-Punk, New Romantic, New Wave, Indie Rock, and classic Ska. Expect to hear essential tracks from bands like The Cure, Siouxsie & The Banshees, The Smiths, Joy Division, and Depeche Mode. Curating the playlist for the evening will be resident DJs SIMON PRICE (Stay Beautiful) and JAYNEY BLAMBLAM (Total Blam Blam). The crowd is typically a wonderfully mixed bag, attracting both adults who remember the decade firsthand and younger people discovering the music for the first time.

For those planning to attend, the event is a standing club night, and the doors open at 9:00 pm. It’s important to note the age restriction: this is strictly an 18+ event, so be sure to bring ID. The venue is the Studio Bar at 44-47 Gardner Street, which is the more intimate space within Komedia. Given the limited capacity of the Studio Bar, booking ahead is generally advised. While prices can vary for special events, the standard entry fee for the Spellbound series is typically around £7.00. It looks like a solid option if you are looking for a genuine, unpretentious trip back to the alternative side of the 80s.