The best places to drink in Margate
Margate is bursting with cool places to drink, all with their own personality and style. Here, in no particular order, are some of the best places to hang out.
Rose in June
This pub is just up the hill from Margate Old Town at the back of Trinity Square. It is a traditional pub that was given an eclectic makeover in 2020 and is now popular for great cocktails and pop up food offerings. It has a cosy interior and outside seating at the front. It has most recently hosted extremely popular collaborations with the Jjang Jjang Korean fried chicken experience, garnished with lots of brightly coloured pickles (and vegan option) and specialist dumplings by Nice Buns.
George and Heart
The owners of the George and Heart have renovated this large pub in idiosyncratic distressed good style. It has a brilliant central Margate position at the back of the old town, which means that sitting in the large front garden offers great opportunities for people watching. The pub is currently hosting a kitchen residency by Pasta Slut, known for saucey Sicilian pasta dishes. Expect a traditional roast every Sunday, booking advised.
https://www.georgeandheart.com
Stingray
Continuing a theme of pop up food options in Margate, the Merman is currently in residence at Stingray, with ‘Shell Garage’ featuring a menu of rock oysters, pickled nectarine and… scallop/bacon baps. Stingray is a bottleshop and bar that features craft beers, classic cocktails and natural wines, and can be found just off the beaten track on Prices Avenue off Northdown Road in Cliftonville. It boasts a lovely old shop front and an intimate tiled exterior of wooden benches where you can while away those warm summer nights. Home to occasional live music where the customers are encouraged to join in.
https://www.instagram.com/stingraydrinks
The Lifeboat
This Ale and Cider House is a tiny yet characterful pub in the heart of Margate Old Town, the Lifeboat specialises in draught cask and craft ales and specialist Kentish ciders. Depending on the night you might encounter an in house DJ, open mic nights or a live band. It has a fabulous inglenook fireplace at the back, but in the summer you might prefer to sit at one of the wooden tables out front and watch the world pass by. If you’re feeling hungry they do cheese platters and there are vegan options.
https://www.lifeboatmargate.com/lifeboat
Little Swift
Overlooking Margate main sands on the main drag, Little Swift has an airy interior with high ceilings and fabulous window seats. Enjoy a bread and cheese platter with a view. They do wine tastings during the week. Craft beers, natural wines and seasonal cocktails.
https://www.instagram.com/littleswiftct9
Margate is a fantastic place for a night out. Why not book your visit today?
Wildes
Cocktails, coffee and food in the bustling heart of Margate old town. Currently offering extravagant fruity waffles for breakfast and operating a South American small plate kitchen with mussels.
https://www.wildesmargate.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/wildesmargate
The Glass Jar
The Glass Jar is known for its extensive cocktail and premium gins menu, mixed for you on by knowledgable and friendly mixologists. It also has a giant disco ball and resident DJs every weekend.
https://www.theglassjarmargate.co.uk
Harbour Arms
A family run micro pub serving a selection of local and national ales and ciders plus much more in a beautiful location with stunning view of Margate Harbour.
https://www.instagram.com/harbourarmsmargate
Bar Nothing
If you are looking for a late night hang out then look no further than this seafront bar just up the hill from Margate Old Town, opposite the iconic Lido sign frequented by an interesting mix of locals and visitors. Run by Aldene Johnson (stylist to Florence of Machine fame) and her husband musician Kevin Morpurgo, this is the best place to go if it’s getting late and you don’t fancy going home just yet. Check their insta feed for up to minute details of featured DJs at the weekend, when you might have to pay for later entry.
https://www.instagram.com/_bar_nothing
The Waste Land at The Albion Rooms
The Libertines bought this huge seafront hotel a few years back and have turned it into a hotel cum bar cum recording studio. You can’t miss the imposing black painted edifice with gold painted ironwork as you walk along the cliff top road away from Margate towards Cliftonville. The Waste Land is a cosy venue in the basement with an outdoor seating area. It features occasional music, poetry, a drawing club and more, plus a full menu of bar food including a vegan burger called ‘Can’t Stand Me Cow’.
https://thealbionrooms.live/drink/
Xylo
XYLO is a micro brewery and tap room bar with stunning sunset views across the bay. promising "views", "palms" and "love", with Kent wine and spirits as well as its own craft beer on the menu. Next door at Dory’s, the fish is famous and you can shop and snack at the bar. It has a bring your own food policy, encouraging you to sample some of the neighbouring eateries whilst you drink. The fermentation happens in the basement but you can see some of the equipment behind the bar. They also run a “big format” games night from 3pm every Wednesday - no need to book, just put your name down and join in. Any other time there are a wide range of board games to choose from whilst you sup beer made in the very same spot.
https://www.instagram.com/xylobrew
Explore Margate soon: why not book your visit today?
101 Social Club
This large space is run by multi-talented community artists and activists, with a curated social space hosting a malleable roster of events, including open mic, sourdough pizza nights, a weekend occasional cafe and late night hangout space.
https://www.instagram.com/101.social/
Sete Margate
Since arriving in Margate the duo behind Sete Margate have taken up several cheffing residencies as Barletta before settling at Turner Contemporary, sadly now closed. Their love of wine and all things mediterranean lives on in this new Cliftonville venture, inspired by Parisian neighbourhood bars, with an attendant small plates menu.
Fez
The Fez is an intimate bar crowded with ephemera on Margate High Street - the kind of place you might go for one drink and stay for a whole raucous night.
https://www.instagram.com/fezmargate
Cinque Ports
A spacious bar in front of Dreamland near Margate train station and opposite Margate Main Sands, with fabulous sea views, especially if you sit on the front deck. Big tables and great for larger groups of people. With an extensive bar and serving Mexican fusion street food.
The Tap Room
A lovely little micro pub that specialises in local and unusual beers just off Northdown Road in the upper part of Cliftonville. With a traditional bar and hosting music and DJs at the weekend and sometimes a quiz or mid week bingo session.
https://www.instagram.com/thetaproomcliftonville
Daisy
A newcomer on the Cliftonville scene, Daisy offers fruity cocktails, bar snacks and fancy brunches with fantastic views out to sea beyond the iconic Lido tower.
Hi, I’m Amelia, your host at Ballarat House in Margate. In this blog I’ll give you the insider’s view on the best things to see and do when you visit Margate.