Entertainment in Dover

The Booking Hall is Dover’s premier live music venue situated a seven-minute walk from Dover Marina. A fairly new establishment, this has an intimate 280-person capacity and is located in a stunning former train station that used to serve the Port of Dover. As an independent venue, you can expect some of the best local and touring talent to be performing as well as some of Kent’s top tribute acts. If live music doesn’t float your boat, you can also catch comedy, theatre and community events here depending on when you visit. The line-up is always changing so make sure you check out the website to find out what’s on during your stay.

The self-titled ‘best damn comedy club in the world’, Folkestone Comedy Club was founded in 2015 after the owners had a revelation during a drunken conversation in the pub. That should give you a good idea of what to expect here; a good selection of beer, cider, wine and fizz and some of the biggest laughs in Kent. A seasonal monthly night – starting in October – both budding comedians and veterans are booked here so there are a variety of styles on show, sure to tickle anyone’s funny bone. Located in Folkestone Parks Bowls Club, a 14-minute drive from our Dover A20 Hotel, snacks and drinks are available at a reasonable price too.

Located in Folkestone, a 20-minute drive from the centre of Dover, is Lonestar Comedy Club at Lanterns Club. Dedicated to bringing the best stand-up to Kent, the setting here is intimate which makes it easy for the comedians to give you a good roasting! Entry is fairly priced at around £10, and there are drinks aplenty. You can also order food beforehand and the Lanterns Club is really easy to find, right opposite Wetherspoons where you can sink a few pints before the show begins.

Home to Dover Athletic F.C., Crabble Athletic Ground is a 5,745-capacity stadium by the River Dour. Built in 1931, the stadium has been the hub of football in Dover ever since and now has two seated stands and two covered standing terraces. The only football team in the area, Dover Athletic F.C. currently play in the fifth tier of national football – the National League – and tickets to see them are good value if you want to catch a game while you’re in town. As well as football, cricket used to be played here and Dover Athletic F.C. now share the ground with Dover’s rugby union team Dover Sharks RFC.

If you want to be part of the action, you need to visit the Sea Sports Centre. Home to watersports in Dover, this is a state-of-the-art venue where you can take part in a variety of water activities including sea swimming, windsurfing, rowing and sailing. The Sea Sports Centre is set in a unique location right by Dover Marina and activities take place across a square mile of sheltered water that has calm conditions and little tidal current. Booking onto a course is easy, simply head to the Sea Sports Centre website and browse the extensive list of activities on offer. If all the action has worked up an appetite, you’re in luck too. De Bradelei Wharf is just a two-minute walk away, or Hythe Bay Seafood Restaurant is right on the doorstep. Offering food straight from the sea, this stunning modern restaurant has incredible views of the harbour.