Summer Speakeasy at Saltdean Lido!
Join us for our Summer Speakeasy at the stunning Saltdean Lido, for an exhilarating dress-up-and-dance event that will transport you back to the Roaring 1920s.
Where: Saltdean Lido, Brighton, BN2 8SP
When: Saturday 3rd May 2025,
Time: 2pm- 5pm
Age: 12+
Tickets are selling fast so click the link below to secure your place. We can’t wait to dance with you there!
What to expect:
As described by previous attendees, the MyCharleston Speakeasy is the “The most inclusive dance event at the Brighton Fringe” so it really is for everyone! Expect to be transported back to the glitz and glamour of the roaring twenties with encapsulating pop-up dance classes, shimmering outfits and dynamic dance performances. Live music from local legends Soultastics will be sure to get your toes tapping as soon as you enter the building (what more could you ask for?!) with classic jazz tunes and a hint of Mambo rhythm.
Past events have featured themes such as Ragtime, New Orleans Jazz, and The Savoy Ballroom Taxis. This year, we’re adding a touch of ‘Spanish Harlem’ to the event. As always, this is a dress-up-and-dance event, so start planning your outfit - you could be the winner of our ‘Best Dressed’ contest!
Historical significance of Saltdean Lido:
Saltdean Lido is a Grade II Listed building, located in the heart of East Sussex, and is an iconic, art-deco style lido that first opened in 1938. It is one of the few remaining lidos of its kind in the UK and has been an integral part of the local community for many years, offering a place for leisure and positive social interaction – with a touch of 20th century nostalgia.
Saltdean Lido was designed by architect Richard Jones in the 1930s and coincided with the broader trend during the interwar period, when British seaside holidays were gaining in popularity. Lidos (open-air swimming pools) were seen as the ideal combination of swimming in safe waters, whilst being near the sea.
During the 1940s and early 1950s, Saltdean Lido was seen as a glamorous destination for those who were seeking a prestigious seaside experience. The Lido was at the heart of social life in the area; attracting both local families and holidaymakers from afar, who were looking to enjoy snippets of seaside life.
As interest in foreign holidays grew, the popularity of lidos country-wide began to decline and as a result, the majority of original lidos across the country no longer exist. Despite Saltdean Lido falling into disrepair, it underwent a stunning restoration and reopened in 2017.
Today, its architecture is considered to be the apogee of lido design; epitomising some of the best elements of the modernist movement, with The 20th Century Society deeming Saltdean Lido as "probably the most architecturally significant open-air pool in the country”. In 2018 it was named by English Heritage as one of the Seven Wonders of The English Seaside.
Why is hosting our Charleston Speakeasy at Saltdean Lido Important?
The Speakeasy, as a concept, was popularised during the 1920-1933 American Prohibition, where alcohol was banned, and secret bars emerged to maintain the popular culture of drinking and dancing. Given the fact that Saltdean Lido was built in the 1930s, holding our annual Speakeasy event there works perfectly, as the Lido’s original art deco ambiance compliments the prohibition-era atmosphere that we create within our events.
Furthermore, hosting our Speakeasy at such an iconic venue, enables the spirit of the past to be revived whilst offering a modern experience; creating a nostalgic atmosphere that mirrors the rich cultural history of the time. It appeals to the allure of the hidden, the exclusive, and the decadent; perfectly aligning with the mystique of a Speakeasy.
Using venues like the Saltdean Lido, highlights its ongoing importance as cultural/social hub, whilst allowing people to experience its uniqueness in a new, innovative way.
Events like our Speakeasy also enable individuals to establish a deeper connection with each other and the venue; fostering a sense of community whilst encouraging cultural appreciation and the preservation of heritage – bringing Saltdean Lido’s history to life in a modern-contemporary context.
We can’t wait to host our event at Saltdean Lido on 3rd May, and take advantage of the unique venue, to create an unforgettable afternoon of music, dance, and entertainment, whilst celebrating local history and maintaining its legacy through introducing future generations to the magic of this vintage venue!
By: Eleanor O’Donnell
Intro and edit by Lauren Pascolutti