Nightlife in Clacton-on-Sea

With a large terrace overlooking the coastline, a decent range of typical pub grub and a better range of drinks, the Boardwalk Bar and Grill is a rock-solid all-rounder. Located at the foot of Clacton’s Pier, its location is its main selling point, especially if you can bag a seat on the terrace on a sunny day.

Another all-rounder that offers a lively bar and above-average food is Harry’s Bar and Restaurant. Located several miles north of our Clacton-on-Sea Colchester Road hotel, the restaurant serves up high-quality food at very decent prices, while the bar offers a wide range of cocktails best enjoyed on their heated terrace.

For a dedicated night of cocktails and tiki fun, we recommend Makai Tiki Bar overlooking Clacton Beach. A small, licensed beach bar and café, they serve food, coffee and ice cream during the day before turning into a buzzy cocktail joint after sunset, with indoor and outdoor seating options depending on the weather.

For a night out that involves little travelling and comes with a range of three options, head to Tom Peppers, The Loft and The Cellar Bar on Marine Parade. Tom Peppers is a cool sports bar that screens all the big-screen action, while The Loft and The Cellar Bar open every Friday and Saturday night with guest DJs playing everything from R&B to current dance classics. Located just off Marine Parade, the complex of bars and clubs is just a short walk from our Clacton-on-Sea Seafront hotel.

Clacton pubs don’t get much better than the Old Lifeboat House. A minute’s stroll from Marine Parade and the pier, the converted lifeboat station is a welcoming venue with one of the best beer and real ale selections in town and a steady supply of locals and tourists who come for the friendly atmosphere and stay to work their way through the wide range of IPAs, lagers, stouts and beers.

Heading north into the town centre, you’ll find The Queens Arms on Old Road. A large, family-friendly pub that’s been recently refurbished, they serve up a very decent range of drinks behind the bar and have a regular entertainment lineup, including domino and bingo nights and live music at the weekend. Factor in a large terrace, tasty pub grub and a late, 1am license at the weekend and you have a real winner.

Heading further north into Great Clacton, you’ll come to the Robin Hood, Ship Inn and Robert Burre pubs, just a short stroll from each other near St John’s Road. The Robin Hood is a classic, traditional pub with a large beer garden, very decent pub food and a wide range of cask ales, while The Ship Inn is one of the oldest pubs in the region dating back to the 1520s. The food is a big sell here, with their large menu covering lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, specialist steaks and their popular Sunday lunch. Completing the pub crawl is The Robert Burre, another traditional pub that plays to its strengths of good food, good beer and an atmospheric setting complete with wooden floors and ceiling beams, a roaring fireplace and an inclusive bar serving beer, wine and spirits.

There are several recommended countryside pubs in the area. The Wick Lodge on Jaywick Lane is a large pub known for its excellent food and lively bar stocked with a wide range of beer, cider and spirits. With a beer garden and views across the Essex countryside, it’s a popular rural option.