Kemptown offers a good variation of restaurants and a few shops, but it is particularly good for gay visitors. The club scene in Kemptown cannot to be beat and you'll love some of the antique shops in Kemptown Village further up St. James Street. The whole city of Brighton is extremely tolerant and gay friendly but Kemptown is the undisputed center of the scene.
One much neglected tourist attraction is the amazing Queen's Park just a few blocks off the main drag in Kemptown. This park is beautiful and sometimes holds outdoor events. This park has a large lake and beautiful landscaping.
Most clubs in Kemptown will not charge you for admission and when you stumble out of a club at 3am, you'll be able to quickly and inexpensively hail a cab and catch a glimpse of the beautifully lit pier.