Seven of the UK's best beach bars

Times

11 hours ago

Let's face it, the UK isn't Paros or Ibiza — a great British beach bar is a rare find along the country's otherwise infinitely varied coastline. Fish and chip vans, yes; cool coastal drinking spots, not so much. Yet in recent years our waterside offerings have morphed from the bog-standard cafés they once were, and a smattering of decent, buzzy spots can be found — usually big on wooden counters and a relaxed ambience, with alcohol licences and nicely presented food. Their hours of operation are often flexible, with early closing if the weather is bad and extended opening when the temperature stays high. But when you stumble across one of these bars on a sunny day, it will feel priceless (or about £6 a pint).
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This bar stands on the three-mile-long Perranporth beach, with surfboards perpetually just outside on the sand. It is a place steeped in Cornish folklore, where pints of Rattler cider flow freely and the sunsets are spectacular. Run by the Job family since the 1970s, it has a long, wide bar, screens for sports and plenty of live music (thewateringhole.co.uk). The Nest, a posh rooftop addition to the bar, opened in June (thenestperranporth.co.uk). The Seiners Arms, a short stroll across the dunes, has no-nonsense rooms to which to retire. Details B&B doubles from £150 (seiners.co.uk)
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What started as a shipping container plonked on the shingle beach at Folkestone became the Pilot in 2021. There is very little indoor space here, so it probably won't be open if there is rain tipping down, but if the sun is shining and you're sipping on one of the bar's canned cocktails — try a beachside spritz — there is nowhere that feels cooler than this corner of the south coast (thepilotfolkestone.co.uk). The London and Paris Hotel, five minutes' walk away, continues the bohemian appeal with personality-filled rooms, and also has one of the best restaurants in Folkestone. Details Room-only doubles from £185 (landb-restaurants.co.uk)
The gloriously sandy Southbourne beach is particularly popular with locals and, under the promenade, low-slung, ultra-relaxed Sobo acts as a community centre. With wooden counters and picnic benches, it opens daily from 8am until sunset in summer, when it hosts family craft sessions alongside live music and regular exercise classes, including yoga — weather permitting. Menu options include cocktails, juices and vegan poke bowls (sobobeach.co.uk). Just above the beach, the Spyglass & Kettle pub has eight rooms, a popular bar and restaurant.Details Room-only doubles from £95 (greeneking.co.uk)
Surrounded by pine trees and fields, the blue-flag Blackpool Sands beach is about ten minutes' drive south of Dartmouth. Run by the Newman family, who have operated here since the 1950s, the bar overlooking the beach adds a Med-style accent to its surroundings, with an open kitchen and French doors that are opened in good weather. There's a takeaway menu and locally produced beer, cider and gin, plus live music on summer evenings (blackpoolsands.co.uk). The Newmans also run Wildcomfort, a collection of off-grid cabins and shepherd's huts behind the beach.Details Two nights' self-catering for two from £350 (wildcomfort.co.uk)
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Originally a lifeboat station, this stone building has been given a new lease of life as a distinctly hip bar and restaurant, serving locally caught lobster with chips, chowder and a good kids' menu. On a small rocky peninsula between the East Strand and West Strand beaches, there are plenty of outside tables, while the Skippers lounge offers a regular roster of live music into the evenings (shantyportrush.com). A couple of minutes' walk away, Elephant Rock Hotel is another example of a growing sense of style in Portrush and is perfectly placed for the Giant's Causeway, 20 minutes' drive east. Details B&B doubles from £171 (elephantrockhotel.co.uk)
The most beautifully situated cocktail bar in Scotland overlooks the Firth of Clyde, Surrounded by trees and sandy. An offshoot of the Arran Botanicals drinks firm, it has been dispensing libations since 2022. A 40-minute walk, or about ten minutes by bus, south from the ferry port in the village of Brodick, the bar is usually open from midday to 6pm Thursdays to Mondays. It also aims to open for periods in winter and is rarely crowded (arranbotanicaldrinks.com). Just west of Brodick, well-regarded Auchrannie Resort offers a range of accommodation options, including rooms, lodges and motorhome stopovers. Details B&B doubles from £235 (auchrannie.co.uk)
A minute's walk from the beach, the Landing is the most food-centric beach bar in Northumberland, the seafood on its menu being supplied by the last fisherman still in operation in the village. It is open from breakfast through to dinner, augmented by a regular bill of live music. There is plenty of space inside this wood-clad building, while a large tarpaulin provides additional cover. If you want something more relaxed, the Bae satellite hut offers wood-fired pizza in the summer months. The Landing also runs a small motorhome site. Details Pitches from £20 a night (northcoastcollective.co.uk)
Have we missed your favourite? Please share your recommendations in the comments below