Tom Gilbey: Absolute Filth

If you have spent any time scrolling through wine content online, you have likely come across Tom Gilbey. He has built a following of over 850,000 people by focusing on making wine accessible, specifically by helping people find better bottles without spending a fortune. This September, he is bringing his live show, Absolute Filth, to Brighton for a couple of nights at The Old Market.

Unlike a standard, formal wine tasting where you might expect a lecture on terroir or strict tasting notes, this show leans into a more casual, interactive format. Gilbey, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry, structures the evening around games, blind tastings, and challenges involving the audience. He is joined on stage by his producer, Fred, and the whole premise is designed to strip away the pretension often associated with wine culture. It is essentially an evening of entertainment that happens to revolve around wine, rather than a technical masterclass.

The event is taking place at The Old Market on 11a Upper Market Street, Hove. There are two dates scheduled: Tuesday, 15 September 2026, and Thursday, 17 September 2026. For both evenings, the doors open at 18:45, and the show itself begins at 19:30. Tickets are priced at £30, with an additional £2 venue restoration levy. It is worth noting that the venue has confirmed limited availability for the 15th, while the 17th is already sold out.

Regarding the logistics, the show has a 14+ age restriction, and anyone under 16 needs to be accompanied by an adult. It is a straightforward setup for anyone interested in a mix of comedy and wine, provided you are looking for something a bit more relaxed than a traditional tasting session. If you are planning to go, it is worth checking the current ticket status for the 15th sooner rather than later given how quickly the other date filled up.