The best pubs in Eastbourne
From bracing walks along Beachy Head to lazy afternoons on the seafront and evenings spent around Devonshire Park, Eastbourne has long been a town worth visiting. Once the sightseeing is done, few things feel more enjoyable than settling into one of the many pubs in Eastbourne for a well-earned drink.
Whether you are looking for a traditional pub with history and fires, a lively bar close to the station, or somewhere known for cocktails and events, Eastbourne’s pub scene covers plenty of ground.
Below, we round up some of the best-known and best-loved pubs and bars in Eastbourne, each offering a slightly different take on what a good pub experience looks like in this classic seaside town.
Read more: Where to find the best Sunday roasts in Eastbourne
What are the best pubs with live music in Eastbourne?
When it comes to pubs with live music in Eastbourne, The Bear Club and The Bohemian are two local favourites worth checking out. The Bear Club brings regular live performances and open-mic nights to its evenings, with local bands and performers creating an energetic soundtrack to drinks and conversation.
Just around the corner, The Bohemian hosts live music events, open-mic sessions and band nights that draw both visiting musicians and local talent, making it one of the go-to Eastbourne pubs for a lively night out with music alongside cask ales and pub food.
The Bear Club
Described as a ‘hidden slice of the 1920s’, The Bear Club brings a distinctly vintage feel to the pubs and bars of Eastbourne. Styled to evoke the glamour of the 1920s, it is best known as a cocktail bar rather than a traditional pub, but it earns its place on any list of pubs in Eastbourne thanks to its atmosphere and drinks offering.
Inside, the décor leans heavily into its jazz-age inspiration, creating an intimate space that feels deliberately removed from the seaside town vibes. The drinks menu focuses on classic and contemporary cocktails, alongside a considered wine list and a selection of beers. Music plays a central role here, with swing, jazz and modern tracks helping set the mood. It is a popular choice for date nights and celebratory evenings, and advance booking is recommended, particularly at weekends.
The Bear Club is open 6pm until midnight Sunday to Thursday, and 7pm until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Bohemian
Located close to Devonshire Park and the Congress Theatre, The Bohemian (formerly known as The Stage Door) is one of the most established pubs in Eastbourne, with a reputation for being welcoming and relaxed. Open every day, it is well placed for pre-theatre drinks, post-show food or a casual afternoon pint.
This is a pub that blends traditional comforts with a lively calendar of events. Inside, the atmosphere is cosy and informal, while outside seating offers views across the surrounding park. The drinks selection includes a rotating choice of craft beers and guest gins, and the menu caters to families as well as theatre crowds. Regular events such as quiz nights, jazz sessions and open mic evenings add to its appeal, helping it maintain its status as a firm local favourite among Eastbourne pubs.
The Bohemian is one of the best pubs in Eastbourne and its glowing reviews on TripAdvisor can vouch for that.
The Bohemian is open from midday until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, midday until 10pm Sundays and Mondays, and midday until 11pm Tuesday to Thursday.
Pubs in Eastbourne with beer garden
If you’re searching for pubs in Eastbourne with beer garden, you’ll find a good mix of places where outdoor space really adds to the experience. Many pubs in Eastbourne open up their gardens during the warmer months, so you can enjoy a pint, a cold cider or classic pub food while making the most of the fresh air.
These spaces range from small, tucked-away courtyards to larger, sun-friendly gardens that work well for groups or long, relaxed afternoons. Choosing pubs in Eastbourne with beer garden means you can take full advantage of the town’s coastal setting when the weather’s on your side.
The Rainbow
Set within a historic 16th-century building, The Rainbow is one of the most characterful pubs in Eastbourne. Its age is evident in the layout and features, from low beams to open fires, which make it particularly inviting during colder months. In warmer weather, the pub’s beer garden becomes a major draw, offering one of the more pleasant outdoor drinking spots in town.
The Rainbow attracts a mix of locals and visitors, contributing to a lively but unpretentious atmosphere. It is the sort of pub where you can drop in for a quiet drink during the day or find a busier, more social scene in the evening. Its longevity and consistent popularity underline why it continues to feature on lists of the best pubs in Eastbourne year after year.
The Hart
Located in Eastbourne town centre, The Hart stands out among pubs in Eastbourne as a well-known venue for the LGBT community. It is widely regarded as an inclusive and welcoming space, with a strong focus on cocktails, socialising and events rather than traditional pub dining.
Regular themed nights and weekly events give The Hart a sense of energy and momentum, making it a popular choice for nights out. The drinks menu leans towards cocktails alongside beers and spirits, and the atmosphere is upbeat without feeling exclusive. Its central location also makes it easy to reach on foot, with Eastbourne station around a ten-minute walk away, which is particularly convenient for visitors arriving by train.
Thanks to its central location, getting to The Hart is easy and with regular trains to Eastbourne station – a 10-minute walk from the bar – there’s no excuse to miss out on this experience.
The London & County Wetherspoons
For sheer convenience, few pubs in Eastbourne are as easy to access as The London & County. Situated directly next to Eastbourne railway station, this Wetherspoons pub is often the first or last stop for visitors to the town.
As with other pubs in the chain, it offers a wide-ranging menu of food and drinks at consistently low prices, making it a practical option for breakfast, lunch or an early evening meal. The atmosphere is family-friendly and informal, and the spacious interior means there is usually room to sit, even at busier times. While it may not have the individuality of independent Eastbourne pubs, its reliability and location make it a useful part of the town’s pub landscape.
Choosing the best pubs in Eastbourne
One of the strengths of the pubs in Eastbourne is their variety. From historic buildings and traditional interiors to cocktail-led bars and event-focused venues, there is no single definition of what an Eastbourne pub should be. Some places are best suited to a relaxed afternoon drink, others come into their own after dark, and many cater to both locals and visitors with equal ease.
Whether you are arriving by train, heading out after a day on the coast, or planning an evening around the theatres, Eastbourne offers pubs to match the mood. Spend enough time exploring them and you will quickly see why stopping for a drink is such an essential part of the Eastbourne experience.