The 26 best places to go out in Eastbourne

Eastbourne Pier is a must-visit destination if you're in the area! The pier beautifully blends Victorian charm with modern-day attractions, offering stunning views of the sea and coastline, especially during sunset. What really impressed me was the variety of food options available right on the pier. From traditional fish and chips to sweet treats and ice creams, there's something for everyone — and the best part? There are several halal food options available too, which is fantastic for Muslim visitors. I came across a few spots serving halal burgers, grilled chicken, and even doner kebabs — all clearly labeled and freshly prepared. The food was not only delicious but also reasonably priced, making it a great place for a casual meal with a view. There are also plenty of seating areas to enjoy your food while soaking in the sea breeze. In addition to the food, the pier has amusement arcades, souvenir shops, and a lovely tea room, making it a great place to spend a few hours with family or friends. Everything was clean and well-maintained, and the staff at the food outlets were friendly and helpful. All in all, Eastbourne Pier offers a complete experience — scenic views, great food (with halal options!), and fun activities. Highly recommended for families, couples, and solo travelers alike.

Very nice place for a stroll and some family time. Went for the airbourne show this year and it is definitely a must see every year. Personally, I enjoy going to Eastbourne pier on a regular basis as it is fun and parking is not difficult. The seaside is lovely and there's plenty of places to have a snack.

Lovely four day break, nice hotel, nice clean town, pleasant local people. Great shops, great pier ,well looked after, with plenty of seating. Nice bar and fish and chips while listening to live music. Worth a visit.

Eastbourne pierThe structure of Eastbourne pier is a remarkable feat of engineering, stretching gracefully into the sea. Visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions and entertainment options along its length. It has become a beloved landmark, offering stunning views of the coastline. The pier's history has seen moments of triumph and resilience, shaping its enduring presence. A stroll along the pier is a delightful experience for all ages.

Beautiful Victorian pier with cafés and arcades. A lovely place for a stroll and to enjoy the sea views. Can feel a bit touristy, but still very charming.

I recently visited Eastbourne Pier and was genuinely impressed by how beautiful and peaceful it was. The pier stretches gracefully out into the sea, offering stunning views of the coastline and the endless blue water. Whether you’re taking a slow walk, snapping some photos, or just sitting down to enjoy the breeze, it’s a lovely spot to relax and unwind. The architecture of the pier is charming, with its classic British seaside feel — clean, well-maintained, and full of character. On a sunny day, the whole place lights up with a calm, cheerful vibe that makes it perfect for both quiet moments and fun outings with friends or family. There are small shops, cafés, and places to grab snacks, and even though it’s not overly commercialized, it still has everything you need for a relaxing afternoon. We took some great photos here — the contrast of the blue sea, the sky, and the white railings made every shot look postcard-worthy. Overall, Eastbourne Pier is a beautiful little escape from the busy city life. Whether you’re local or just visiting, it’s definitely worth spending some time here. Highly recommended if you love the sea and classic coastal charm.

Pier was ok, some shops were closed. There's a bar towards the end of the pier with live music outside on brighter days. Good view of the airshow too.

Lovley venue, outside and good atmosphere. Can get cold if windy so bring a jumper. You can buy blankets here to. Bar available. Great evening to watch live music

Eastbourne Bandstand is a gem on the Sussex coast — a striking seafront venue that blends historic charm with vibrant musical life. Built in 1935, its distinctive blue domed roof and art deco design make it one of the most recognisable landmarks in Eastbourne, and it remains a focal point for live entertainment throughout the year. The Bandstand hosts an impressive variety of events, from traditional brass bands and tribute acts to themed nights and fireworks concerts. Whether you're into swing, classical, or Queen, there's likely a performance for you. The sound quality is surprisingly good given the open-air setting, and the tiered seating ensures a decent view for most audience members. It’s particularly magical on warm summer evenings, when the music mingles with the sea breeze. Staff are friendly and well-organised, and ticket prices are reasonable, making it an accessible evening out. The location is ideal too — just a short walk from Eastbourne Pier, with ample nearby parking and local amenities. That said, the weather can be unpredictable, and while the covered seating offers some protection, dressing for the elements is wise. Also, during busier events, the seating can feel a bit cramped. Overall, Eastbourne Bandstand offers a wonderful blend of nostalgia, community spirit, and first-rate entertainment — a must-visit for music lovers or anyone looking for a quintessentially British seaside experience.

We unexpectedly came across the bandstand, as we were new to the area. There was a band playing and plenty of seating for spectators. It was an unbelievable atmosphere, with everyone participating either by singing along, clapping, waving their hands, dancing and just enjoying themselves from young and old. Hats off to their Council for funding the event.

We saw 2 shows recently which were great. Staff were very helpful when I needed it. Lynda in the ticket office was amazing. She went above and beyond to help me when I had some difficulties. She also helped by printing my tickets which I thought I had lost on my phone. Lynda was very calm and so kind. I'm very grateful for all her help. It made the experience much more enjoyable. Everyone was friendly and the quality of shows was excellent. Thoroughly recommend.

We went to see the Motown tribute act last and it was the worst act I have ever seen here. They turned up late, couldn't get their words right and their voices were just dreadful. They turned up 20 minutes but didn't stay any later to make it up!! Would not recommend anyone to go to see them

Been here a couple of times to see some tribute acts, enjoyed it and will come back 😀

This bandstand make an incredible venue for a concert. I was a speaker at an outside church service where around 1000 people gathered. It makes for a very intimate venue as you can see everyone clearly from the stage. Th acoustics are amazing too. We had a brilliant sunny day hope you get one too.

Me and my family have now been to see Wizard of oz, Jack and the bean stalk, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, and Goldie locks and the three bears panto, If you want family fun entertainment these guys are the ones to see haven’t been disappointed yet, although I am going to be truly honest Goldie locks and the three bears was probably the most boring out of them all I didn’t laugh no where near as much as the other 3pantos it felt really dulled down not like any of the other 3 of their shows, my 14year old didn’t enjoy it like he did the other 3 either, How ever My 9year old nephew and 5year old daughter really enjoyed it just as much as all the others ☺️ But felt this was aimed more for the younger and not a whole family entertainment, But never the less What a brilliant team they are and it won’t put us off coming back to watch Aladdin at Christmas ☺️

A pleasant theatre to visit for a smaller concert. I will definitely visit again.

This is a great theatre and I love its old world feel - it's from a different age. The staff are always incredibly friendly and the bar prices are very low.

Great venu, small and friendly , great staff, fabulous performance on 29th August, tribute act to Dua Leaper and Elton John , stunning show so we'll produced with everyone dancing in the ials, well done to all those involved , loved it .

Lovely little theatre ,went to see the Wednesday night show ,curtains up,highly recommended,fantastic singing and dancing and a bit of comedy ,cheapish as well 18 concessions 20 full price,a little bar at side…

We went to see certain up and I must say that it was amazing the theatre is small but it was very nice the cast were very professional and the comedian was the hight light of the night extremely impressed thank you

Visited Eastbourne and booked two shows, first was Bruce Springsteen tribute at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre. The band was great musians but didn't realise how many I didn't know but brilliant finish. The theatre is 150 years old but looks fantastic. We must keep these places open for the next generation. Two drinks were over £10 so little on the experience side and no bar seating but we'll worth a visit.

We came here for afternoon tea / spa experience and overall had a lovely time! The steam room was nice, the pool room was a bit hot and a little dirty unfortunately. The staff were really friendly but I think the quality of the spa was lower than I would expect for the price and stars. We had a package with 2 x 25 minute treatments and both really enjoyed our facial and massage The afternoon tea was delicious, lots of different options, they even catered to a completely vegan tea which was amazing and the sandwiches and tea was bottomless which we loved. Overall great time just spa facilities could maybe do with a little love!

I stayed at this luxury 5 Star Hotel from Saturday 20th to Wednesday 24th. This is my honest review. The staff were lovely, despite a couple of hiccups, one being when I arrived, the other while at the restaurant, which were both quickly sorted. If this was based solely on the staff, I would give them 5/5. The spa was amazing, I had "The Ultimate Ocean Of Dreams" and the person was amazing. It was my first time getting a massage professionally and I would definitely get one again. The person gave me a breakdown of what would occur, ensuring I was okay with each step, warning me before the hot stones were placed on my back. The bed was extremely soft, I felt like I was sleeping on a cloud, something not many would like, but I loved. However, there were a few things that weren't up to standard. The breakfast was diabolical; the portion size wasn't big enough for a child, let alone a full-grown adult. The plate came out boiling hot, which was something I should've been warned about, as I could've hurt myself. The cooked breakfast tasted like it was cooked, left out for a while, then warmed up in the microwave. The continental breakfast was nice, which was what I had after my first day, though I was going to try the pancakes. After waiting for 20 minutes for somebody to come over, they still hadn't, I gave up. The indoor pool was closed due to emergency construction (I was informed straight away), which, in all honesty, they probably picked the best time to close it. It was still warm enough to use the outdoor pool, (though I may have went too early as it was too cold for me) and not the peak holiday season. The only thing, if I had of known before I made the journey, I probably would've cancelled. The hotel is quite dated with a bit of wear and tear, here and there, which to me wasn't a major issue. My overall experience was nice, though it could have been better without the pool closure and a decent breakfast service. Would I stay again? Honestly, probably not, though if I did, it would only be because of the amazing staff.

Had an amazing and magical afternoon with spa and high tea. However we were first placed by a busy door way for the tea. Not ideal - it was like Liverpool Street station! We asked to be moved to a quieter spot. At the end of the day, we are paying for the service. We got moved to a better and quieter spot. The tea was superb and plentiful. Worth going. Spa, steam room and massage was relaxing. But the spa area and swimming poolneeds updating and repairs.

OK we booked a suite just over the tennis weekend. The suite was extremely tired, worn, not the experience or standard we were expecting. It was incredibly dated, stains on the carpet and there was rips in all the sofas. The windows rattled and it was not 5 star at all. We paid a hefty £645 per night at a special rate and stayed for 4 nights for what we thought would be an exceptional stay. There is no air conditioning in the rooms and you only receive on portable fan per room - when asked for another one as we had a suite and there were a few of us we were told none available. Staff were polite and service was OK, ordered room service which was cold. The breakfast in the mornings was fine.. not exceptional. For the experience we were paying for this really fell below the mark and certainly wasn't worth the cost. We have stayed at 5 star hotels before and this most certainly is not one. The building is historic and has lovely high ceilings but the hotel needs an urgent update and refurbishment. For the prices they are charging guests and the experience - a total rehaul of the rooms including their expensive suits should be first on their agenda.

Awful room. booked upgrade classic superior. Was disgusting. Car park scam.. mysterious naned reserved places become available..... for a tip... Been a guest over the years many times.. last visit NEVER AGAIN. My prediction sold to another hotel chain who think know better or closed. Repeat customers are valuable, we were treated poorly..poor room..never again.

Booked for afternoon tea. Food was excellent, we were served by Megan who was really friendly and helpful. One of our guests spilt their tea - she acted quickly & professionally. Hotel is beautiful inside. I’ve worked in hospitality all my life and I give the whole experience 5 stars

Went for their Anniversary Afternoon Tea. Food was good, but nothing special. No atmosphere to the room we were seated in. Could've done with some background music. No decorations in room , table, food to suggest anything special such as a big anniversary. Waited quite a while to be served despite being walked to our table.. And to top it all, a very hefty service charge added. Lovely afternoon with friends but won't be going back

I have only been here a couple of times and yet .. I remember drinking in a pub called The Squirrel in the 70's. A pub on this site!? Casta and Madge do not care. A pint of Devon Salcombe brewery beer and a vodka keeps them happy. A CAMRA 2025 Good Beer Guide entry. Been in for many years. Another Cask Marque pub.4th Spoons of the day..hic!

Popped in for a cocktail while waiting for my train after a hike. Sat outside ; peaceful atmosphere and not too busy. The station’s just across the road, so super convenient. Friendly service too!

One of the best Wetherspoons I’ve been too , service is great , Kate the Duty Manager has a good team . Food was good and the beers and wine were very good , and as usual, reasonably priced

Been in here a few times food is always very good, had fish and chips it was excellent. Service was excellent and prices were really cheap would definitely recommend

Normally the food at spoons I've tried is always good but the one at Eastbourne, it was alright- not the best. The cheese wasn't even melted properly and was quite cold in the middle. Wouldn't recommend getting the burgers from here and even the onion rings were quite tasteless which was surprisingly because every spoons I've been to, the food had always hit.

Came here for dinner and had the normal great experience as you do from most weathspoons. There's the normal menu that has something for everyone, and service is quick, especially if you order on the app. They have some good deals, which makes it even cheaper. Good amount of seating upstairs and down. Opposite the station, which is handy.

Amazing location just outside train station, great food and drinks at incredible value prices. Staff available and attentive. We had four great days in Eastbourne. Highly recommend 👍Thank you very much.

Nice place located a bit far from the centre. Came for a quick drink. Smart place, friendly service. Huge beer garden with heaters. Good choice of drinks. Overcharged on our order but rectified when we questioned it.

Delicious roast and friendly and helpful team. Pub with lots of character, dog friendly, kid friendly and allergy friendly. No problem for a gluten free roast, or a smaller portion for kids. Excellent quality.

The rainbow is the best! Such a perfect venue, in this case for a hen do. Overall the most perfect vibes, all the staff are so helpful and friendly and the food was amazing! cannot reccomend enough! Thank you so much xxx

A long, long time ago, I can still remember when this was not a pub! This ancient and historic building became a very expensive restaurant in the late 1970's., before becoming The Counting House. Deric loves the history. Only one real ale out of four handpumps on this visit. A good pint of Harvey' best bitter. Lovely interior and garden. Still very popular for food.

The service was absolutely friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is great (there are heater and blankets in the garden) and their food and drinks are really delicious. :)

Me and my boyfriend usually love the rainbow but the recent price inflation has disappointed us. £18 for a Margarita pizza was quite a shock, I could’ve justified the price if it was good quality but unfortunately it did not live up to the price point! Drinks are reasonably priced but won’t rush back for dinner, unless I take out a loan! Service is great and the pub itself is beautiful

The food that we had on Saturday was amazing! The burger was one of the most tastiest ones I've had in a long time and my friend's fish and chips was fab. Food was fresh, great portions and fulfilling. Good service too & no long waiting times. Excellent :)

Friendly staff. Nice items to purchase.A really worthy organisation to donate to.

4 stars as I would say its a very nice little shop with friendly staff and a very small add on with some information/fact boards and not a museum.

We have been here with a group of children in the age between 12 and 15. They all had a really good time and we had the chance to talk to someone who served in the RNLI.

Being a great RNLI supporter.I always visit when on holiday This branch though small was well stocked shop.Restaurant attached for drinks and snacks Well maintained.Lovely girls serving in the coffee shop.As my snack became airborne much to the dog near bys glee.They replaced It for me.They were helpful and friendly.

Often visit with my grandchildren who love to look around. The staff are very attentive and friendly.

The RNLI is just amazing. This incredible charity needs all the help it can get. Great building. Lovely shop. Friendly staff. Easy access.

A lovely old stn building with helpful volunteers selling current RNLI products.

Lovely and interesting little gem. Free to visit. This place is run by volunteers and there was a lovely man there when we went. Loads of items there with lots of information. Definitely worth a visit.

Small but beautifully formed museum with many items and displays. Covers the significant major historic actions which shaped English and French history, also local, smaller occurrences that are also of interest.

Great place, small but very informative. Lots to see, you will love it if you enjoy history, fascinating and free.

Great little museum, fascinating exhibits, some natural history finds and plenty of local history, open bank Holidays too.

It's free to get in. It's small but has so much history. It's a bit scary downstairs where the jail rooms are, but worth going. The volunteer had so much to say about the history of the building.

Tiny museum on the high street, full of interesting history. The museum is based on the first floor with some really interesting papers, pictures and displays from the area. On the ground floor there are two prison cells showing life of the time.

Little museum with interesting local law court history

Lovely staff , great food , lots of fun entertainment and super karaoke. Xx

Perfect pint of Guinness. Great atmosphere. Lush nachos - no pic - ate them !

We had a warm welcome after our 10 mile Outdoorlads walk.

Great pub, very welcoming, great cabaret, karaoke, comedy, loads

Went to karaoke with 12 friends nice atmosphere only got to sing one song in 3 hours when some people got up and sung 3 or more was disappointed but pub well worth the visit going to go back especially to try one of their pies 😊😊

A+++ It was my first time in this big LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈Pub/Club. The two young guys who served us were exceptionally adorable, very chatting, friendly and make you feel confortable soon as you walk in (rolling in for me 😅). They have a proper disabled toilet 🚻 and a big ramp on the side of the building for wheelchair ♿ 😀. This is brilliant 👏. We will come back. On the weekend, they have drag show, smocking area, dance floor etc. Inside the decor is beautiful. Definitely try it. Brilliant. XXG Gilles Guichard

The most welcoming pub I have ever been in.

We had such a brilliant stay here, a family of 6 plus 1 child. We had three rooms without a sea view, which were all really nice and very reasonably priced. ALL the staff were amazing, a huge thank you to David and his lovely team who put up with our chaotic family :) Breakfast is incredible! Lovely local wines served. Great vibe. Couldn't fault it. Thanks for having us!

Thank you so much for such a brilliant stay! All of the staff were so helpful, all the way from booking to check out - really appreciated how kind they were to my elderly grandma who was spoiled rotten and just loved every second of her stay. The hotel itself is gorgeous, super clean and has such a nice, calm atmosphere. Thanks again xx

I stayed at the Port Hotel alone for a few nights. I had a small room (no sea view), but it was really comfortable and beautifully decorated - I slept really well. The staff were also really friendly, and chatted to be whole I sipped a glass of wine overlooking the sea. Had a minor set back when my door wouldn’t lock, but the issue was resolved immediately. The only shame is that it’s a small distance from the centre of Hastings / The Towner etc. However, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay again. A very smart and cool hotel.

I recently stayed at Port Hotel, and it truly exceeded all of my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with genuine warmth and a smooth check-in process. The staff was incredibly attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. The room was spacious, beautifully decorated, and immaculately clean. The view from my room was absolutely breathtaking, with a stunning view overlooking the beach. Breakfast was a delightful experience, and was so delicious with the best coffee we have had since leaving Australia. Once again, the staff ensured we had everything we needed, making the morning even more enjoyable. I can’t recommend this hotel highly enough. From the impeccable service to the perfect location and overall comfort, it was truly an unforgettable stay.

We stayed here for a night and found it amazing! Great and friendly reception, excellent sea view room on 2nd floor. You need to be able to get up the stairs and the climb is worth the view. The historical building was renovated very well, we experienced top cleanliness, top friendliness, top quality, overall a lot of bang for the buck. Thanks to the Port Hotel Team!

Bit of a shame really, in photos the hotel looks brilliant, in reality I had a extremely overlooked room from neighbours which was quite small. Breakfast was overpriced £15 for two small bits of bacon and 1 sausage, bread meant to be sourdough was not and NO MILK for coffee, lovely start to the day. Parking was a nightmare, luckily I don't mind a walk but for less mobile people or those with more bags would not of had the best experience. Service was fine not sure on check in desk being in the restaurant but that is personal preference.

My husband and I stayed here last weekend and absolutely loved it. The hotel is recently renovated, cozy, and beautifully designed. The staff was super friendly, and the location couldn’t be better, right on the beachfront, close to the city center, great restaurants, and the train station. Our room had sea views and was amazing. It’s also a perfect spot to take a stroll along the promenade and enjoy the stunning Seven Sisters cliffs. The room was well-equipped with thoughtful little touches. We had a fantastic experience and can’t wait to come back. Many thanks!

Lovely spot to go and walk in the sunshine. My son and pup love sitting here watching the swans go by. With two parks to have fun in. And a cafe in the central to enjoy a spot of lunch. Plenty of room for picnics and even a mini golf course. Recommend for a cheap cheerful day with the kiddies.

Nice boating lake, did not go to the perch cafe

Great park and field at the moment the funfair is down (June 2025) until July 2025 so pop along.. Wrist bands are £15 with access to all rides , £10 entry and small kids rides . There are food stalls , & bungee jumps that charge Tables , toilets & the fayre area is well kept and clean . O from the fayre was pleasant to talk to and really informative about how the fun fayre is run. Lovely people running the funfair and I can see clearly from talking to O that this fun fayre puts there heart and soul into everything they do and also ensuring people have the best time and experience at there fayre 😁 x

Full of color and life. A good place and space for family walk in the afternoon

Lovely park. Little lake to Walk around. Lots of swans and ducks to feed! Children’s play area looked good. The perch cafe is charming. Reasonably priced food. Friendly efficient wait staff. We are already planning to return to play pitch and putt followed by another Perch Breakfast.

A great place to have a relaxing walk, some wildlife well worth seeing including the odd Cormorant. The waters and grounds are always kept in good order though the new cafe which is currently still undergoing restoration was not opened during the Summer 2016 which was a disappointment this year.

Good to see the gardener has started to clear the weeds again, plus the grass was cut. It's been a disgrace for months. Still evidence of rough sleepers in the bushes.

Went for the Wednesday Open Mic Jam night, the host was fantastic and he made the night really enjoyable, I even had a go myself, it felt like such a welcoming environment, we weren't sure what to do for the evening and stumbled across this on Google, well worth a visit.

Great venue for live music & arts. Friendly atmosphere.

Yet again another amazing event with amazing people. I absolutely love your weekly events such as Olioke (karaoke 🎤), open stage and much more. This is definitely the place to be if you don't know what to do with yourself in Eastbourne.. It also has such a beautiful painted garden out back. My new favorite spot

Loe this place! Amazing atmosphere, garden, great friendly staff, loads of music themed events including: open mic night, karaoke, piano performances, bands etc. The only issue is seating, it is a very small venue and during any of the events getting a seat can be impossible if you don't arrive at least half an hour before it starts.

Wonderful little place to go for a laugh. Music and fun times for all. Great service with some of the nicest people! Love it all

Wonderful local venue with friendly staff, great vibes, music and theatre and community arts at the heart of all it does 🙂

Phenomenal vibe and feel to this hidden gem, came during a Caribbean Kitchen Takeover and the food was to die for!!! Rum punch on entry should be the new standard :)

Amazing New Years Eve 2024, shout out to Alex for being the best bartender!!

The Best French Martini I have ever had

Served by the lovely Alex at the bar and they were amazing. Made us a drink and my friend is a whiskey fanatic and wanted an old fashioned. Alex was keen for her opinion and the first was 95%, but because it wasn’t 100%, Alex made another. Second was phenomenal! Amazing service, lovely staff. Definitely visiting again soon. Thank you Alex xx

Great venue accommodated us for a work meeting during the day. Nothing was too much Charlotte was attentive and brilliant, then in the evening Alex was an incredible host serving amazing cocktails and love to come back here. Highly recommend

Went upstairs, Alex the bartender who has done many mixology courses which shows in the way they make cocktails. I have traveled a lot in life however I never expected to find a place which has so much is gonna go anywhere would beat London without doubt!! I would never have normally gone to to have a such a host to display such craft and love for the way they do what they do! I never expected that form a place in Eastbourne that delivers the same passion and skill as some of the top cocktail places around the world a must visit for anyone that wants to experience true class and skill for making the perfect cocktail 🍹

Interesting and unique cocktails with beautiful interior! Unfortunately my last visit the music was un🐻ably loud, I would've expected a calmer environment from the Bear Club, I couldn't hear anyone.

Alex was brilliant, best bar staff we have ever had Fantastic service and cocktails xx Thank you