Southend-on-Sea offers many exciting evening attractions including theaters, casinos and late-night bars. You'll find many shows to choose from including dramas, musicals, jazz concerts and comedy performances.
You may also enjoy a night out at the arcade, a visit to a planetarium or skating at a high-tech rink. No matter what you have in mind, you are sure to find something exciting to end your night with. Here are the top 10 things to do after dinner in Southend-on-Sea.
- 1
Palace Theater
Catch a show at an intimate historic theater
- Couples
- History
The Palace Theater is an intimate, historic 3-floor venue that presents dramas and musical performances. It opened in 1912 as the 'Palace of Varieties', when the theater mainly presented ballets and repertory companies. After numerous closures over the years, new ownership reopened the theater in 2003.
Many improvements and restorations have been made to the backstage area, the sound and lighting, and the layout of the building. You can now enjoy intimate presentations including national tours, big-name productions and one-night shows featuring notable entertainers on this historic stage. You can find the theater at the intersection of London Road and Brightwood Avenue.
Location: 430 London Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 9LA, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1702 351135
Map - 2
Mawson’s MicroPub
Have beverages with the crew
- Couples
- Nightlife
Mawson’s MicroPub is a local favorite for Sunday beverages before the long work week, but you can enjoy a wonderful night on the town any time of the week. One of the biggest draws of Mawson’s MicroPub is the incredible selection of real ales, craft Belgian beers and real ciders, along with spirits, wines and sodas.
There’s something for everyone in your crew, including sodas for the driver, so you can have a fun night out with your traveling companions.
Location: 781 Southchurch Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2PP, UK
Open: Monday–Thursday from 4 pm to 11.30 pm, Friday from 4 pm to 12.30 am, Saturday from noon to 12.30 am, Sunday from noon to 10.30 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1702 601781
Map - 3
Rollacity
Go roller-skating at a high-tech rink and disco
- Adventure
- Families
- Nightlife
Rollacity offers open roller-skating sessions in a fun disco atmosphere. The contemporary building features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, high-tech features and traditional disco lights. During open skate sessions, you can partake in traditional games like the hokey pokey and the limbo. You'll also find an arcade and trampoline for even more fun.
The snack bar offers hot foods, milkshakes and adult beverages. You can find open sessions, adult-only sessions and special events, so take a look at their website for an up-to-date schedule. You can find the rink off of Rochehall Lane.
Location: 12, Purdeys Industrial Estate, 12 Purdeys Way, Rochford SS4 1ND, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1702 548004
Mapphoto by terry joyce (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 4
Southend Central Museum and Planetarium
Explore the night sky and view an ancient burial chamber
- Families
- History
- Photo
Southend Central Museum and Planetarium tells the story of the town and surrounding neighborhoods with experts on hand to answer questions, and you will find the popular planetarium here as well. At the planetarium on the first floor, you can marvel at the displays of stars and planets above during live presentations guided by scientists.
When you move on to the museum, you can examine a burial chamber filled with remarkable artifacts and pieces of a wooden coffin. To see artifacts that are too fragile to display, you can refer to the Burial Chamber app. The museum is located on the A127 just off the junction between A127 and A13.
Location: Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6EW, UK
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed Sunday–Monday)
Phone: +44 (0)1702 212345
Map - 5
Genting Casino
Play thrilling casino games and enjoy a gourmet dinner with a view
- Couples
- Food
- Luxury
- Nightlife
Genting Casino offers exciting casino games, a fine dining restaurant and a late-night bar with snacks. You can park at Southend Sea Front Parking Garage and head directly to the waterfront to find the casino. For an exhilarating night out, try your luck at classic casino games like roulette, blackjack and 3-card poker.
You may also enjoy sipping on a specialty cocktail while playing electronic slot machines. For an elegant dinner with a view of the estuary, you can make a reservation at Fahrenheit restaurant. If you're a night owl, the bar stays open late and serves light eats.
Location: The Western Malecon, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 7QY, UK
Open: Daily from 10 am to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1702 352919
Map - 6
Leigh on Sea Brewery
Taste a local brew at a trendy local bar
- Couples
- Nightlife
Leigh on Sea Brewery features delicious beers poured straight from the tap by friendly and passionate bartenders. In addition to featured beers, you can also order a full range of beverages. This curious little bar is a popular spot among locals and craft beer enthusiasts. You will find cozy seating in the Tap Room as well as plenty of covered outdoor tables.
If you prefer to head back to your hotel to enjoy the local brews, they also offer delivery and pickup service. You will find the brewery situated on the corner of Progress Road and Rutherford Cl in Leigh-on-Sea.
Location: 35 Progress Rd, Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 5PR, UK
Open: Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm, Thursday–Friday from 4 pm to 8 pm, Saturday from 1 pm to 6 pm (closed Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +44 (0)1702 817255
Map - 7
Grosvenor Casino Southend
Try your luck at the casino or watch a game at a late-night bar
- Couples
- Food
- Luxury
- Nightlife
Grosvenor Casino is an intimate and stylish venue featuring table games, slot machines and a late-night sports bar. All major sports are available for you to view on high-definition screens with excellent surround sound, including rugby, boxing, Formula 1 racing and Premier League soccer.
When you are ready for a bite to eat, you can make a reservation at the restaurant to enjoy a casual pub-style dinner or order snacks and appetisers from the bar. The casino is situated across from the Royals Shopping Center.
Location: Church Rd, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2AL, UK
Open: Daily from 6 am to 10 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1702 411610
Map - 8
Craftwerk Beers
Enjoy a pint at a local bar
- Couples
- Nightlife
Known as the home of craft beer in Southend-on-Sea, Craftwerk Beers offers an excellent craft beer selection with 12 draught taps on the bar and plenty more in the fridge. If beer isn’t your thing, the bar has a wide selection of whiskey, spirits, wine, and craft cocktails, so there’s something for everyone.
If you’re hungry, you can indulge with innovative pub food like gourmet pizza and Italian-inspired small bites. Before you leave, be sure to stop in the shop to pick up Craftwerk Beer merchandise, such as t-shirts, to take home with you.
Location: 4 Alexandra St, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1BU, UK
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 3 pm to 10pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 10 pm, Sunday from noon to 7 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +44 (0)1702 334344
Map - 9
Happidrome Arcade
Play at a beachfront arcade and enjoy an ice cream treat
- Adventure
- Families
Happidrome Arcade is a beachfront spot where you can enjoy hours of fun with the whole family playing retro or modern arcade games. It's located on the Southend waterfront, opposite the fountains.
You can take a trip to the past and play a classic machine like Pac-Man or pinball, or you can check out a new arcade game while enjoying the ocean breezes in this open-air arcade. The trip is not complete without a treat from Hamilton's Ice Cream Parlor. If you are looking for late-night fun, the arcade is open 24 hours.
Location: 52 Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2EN, United Kingdom
Open: 24/7
Map - 10
The Jazz Center UK
Celebrate jazz music culture through shows, lectures and exhibits
- Budget
- Couples
- History
The Jazz Center UK presents live music from top-notch British performers every week. In addition to live performances, you can also attend lectures, group discussions, movie presentations and club meetings. You will find art and photography exhibits throughout the center that celebrate the culture of jazz music.
Impressive memorabilia such as Louis Armstrong's 'Special' trumpet and Sir John Dankworth's first piano make it well worth the trip even if you can't catch a show. You will find the center located in Southend-on-Sea’s city centre in the Beecroft Art Gallery.
Location: Beecroft Art Gallery, Victoria Ave, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6EX, UK
Phone: +44 (0)1702 215169
Map