Must-see nightlife in Southeast England

  • The Lifeboat

    Kent

    If you're looking for a pub with real atmosphere, head in the evening to this oh-so hipsterly authentic, wood-rich tavern where there's regular live jazz,…

  • Rights of Man

    East Sussex

    This stylish pub, whose name reflects the fact that Thomas Paine once called Lewes home, is one of the best places to pair local Harveys ale with well…

  • Hanushka Coffee House

    East Sussex

    Hastings’ best caffeine stop resembles a very well-stocked secondhand bookshop with every inch of wall space packed with browsable titles. The low-lit and…

  • Foundry Brewpub

    Canterbury

    Canterbury’s brewpub pumps out award-winning craft beers in the industrial setting of a former foundry where New York's first streetlights were made. It…

  • Micro Roastery

    Canterbury

    Owned by an Anglo-Peruvian couple, this highly aromatic cafe imports, roasts, grinds and sells its unsurpassed beans and blends. There’s local art on the…

  • Thomas Becket

    Canterbury

    A classic English pub with a garden’s worth of hops hanging from its timber frame, Thomas Becket attracts many a modern-day pilgrim to its ales…

  • Black Dove

    Brighton & Hove

    Eclectic hang-out with shabby-chic furnishings, huge antique ceiling fans, a bar stocked with unusual tipples and a quirky basement snug. Live acoustic…

  • Concorde 2

    Brighton & Hove

    Brighton’s best-known and best-loved club is a disarmingly unpretentious den, where DJ Fatboy Slim pioneered the Big Beat Boutique and still occasionally…

  • Old Neptune

    Kent

    A ramshackle pub about as far onto the beach as it’s possible to get (it’s been washed away several times by high tides) with cosy winter window seats and…

  • Steinbeck & Shaw

    Canterbury

    Canterbury’s best city-centre nightspot has a supercool, 21st-century interior with urban and retro elements. The weekly program is a mixed bag of rock…

  • Parrot

    Canterbury

    Built in 1370 on Roman foundations, Canterbury’s oldest boozer has a snug, beam-rich, slightly upmarket pub downstairs and a much-lauded dining room…

  • Brighton Rocks

    Brighton & Hove

    Incongruously located in an alley of garages and used-car lots, this cocktail bar is firmly established on the Kemptown gay scene, but welcomes all-comers…

  • Coalition

    Brighton & Hove

    On a summer’s day, there’s nowhere finer to sit and watch the world go by than at this popular beach bar, diner and club. All sorts of events happen here,…

  • Patterns

    Brighton & Hove

    Some of the city’s top club nights are held at this ear-numbing venue. The music is top priority here, attracting big name acts and a young, up-for-it…

  • Alberry’s Wine Bar

    Canterbury

    A stylish after-hours bar where you can relax over a cocktail or rare rum upstairs before heading down to the Cellar Bar. Occasional live music at…

  • A Bar

    Brighton & Hove

    Extremely hip bar and sauna in the Amsterdam Hotel; its sun terrace is a particular hit.

  • Legends Club

    Brighton & Hove

    Located beneath the Legends Hotel this is arguably the best gay bar and club in town.

  • Dorset

    Brighton & Hove

    In fine weather this laid-back Brighton institution throws open its doors and windows, and tables spill out onto the pavement. You’ll be just as welcome…

  • Queen’s Arms

    Brighton & Hove

    And they ain’t talking Victoria or Elizabeth! Plenty of camp cabaret and karaoke at this pub.

  • Revenge

    Brighton & Hove

    Nightly disco with occasional drag and cabaret acts.