Don’t Miss These 11 Bars With the best Sea Views In Margate
Margate’s sunsets are world famous, so enjoy them with a cold drink
Want to know where to have a drink whilst watching the sun go down?
Here are some of the best bars in Margate to enjoy a drink while watching the famous sunset views.
If you’re looking for where to drink in Margate, we’ve got you covered in this bar guide.
Sit back and enjoy the view from Margate’s beach bars that overlook the sea and take in some of the town’s iconic spots. There’s nowhere better to drink by the sea than in Margate.
By Sophie Wareham.
Daisy for lido views
Daisy is a cute little cocktail bar in Cliftonville that looks out to the iconic Lido sign. They create all their own delicious cocktails (and we love their off the wall descriptions) that suit everyone's taste so it's perfect for hanging out with your friends watching the sun set over the sea.
They also have the most mouth watering southern BBQ menu thanks to Snake Oil BBQ.
Daisy made it into the top 500 Global Bars in 2020 as well as being awarded Cocktail Menu of the Year by The Times and you’ll see why when you book in.
Open Wednesday - Thursday 6pm - 10pm, Friday 5pm - 11.30pm, Saturday 12pm -11.30pm and Sunday 12pm - 7pm.
Find them at 19 Cliff Terrace CT9 1RU.
Epic sunsets are on the menu at Daisy
2. Xylo for beer brewed on site
Xylo is a microbrewery and tap room right on Margate’s seafront. They sell craft beer that is brewed on site as well as selling locally made wine and cocktails. One of their newest beers is Wonderlust - Citra, Centennial, Chinook and Cascade, it is fermented at cool temperatures and dry hopped with oodles more Citra for an extra citrus zing. Sounds delicious!
They also host amazing monthly quizzes so bring your friends or they’re well stocked with boardgames. Grab a bench outside and you can sit and watch the sun go down.
Open Monday - Thursday 3pm - 10pm, Friday 2pm - 11pm, Saturday 1pm - 11pm and Sunday 1pm - 9pm.
Find them at 2-14 High Street CT9 1AT.
3. The Lighthouse Bar To See Margate’s Skyline
Looking for a Margate bar with a view. Try this one! What used to be a fishermans’ shed is now The Lighthouse Bar. They have an extensive list of wines, beers and spirits and tasty cocktails but even better you can look over Margate's skyline and take in the boats on the mud as the tide retreats out of the harbour.
You can also see Margate at an angle you've never seen before, with Dreamland in the distance as well as a stunning view out to sea.
Brilliant for a drink on a calm clear sunny day.
Open Monday - Thursday 12pm - 6:30pm, Friday - Saturday 12pm - 9pm and Sunday 12pm - 5pm.
Find them on Margate Harbour Arm CT9 1AP.
4. The Shakespeare for Beach Views Whatever The Weather
Take in all of Margate’s Main Sands with the Turner and dramatic skies in the distance view no matter the weather. We reckon it’s one of the best coastal bars in Kent.
The Shakespeare is located between the sea and the train station with massive windows overlooking the beach and they have a roaring fire in winter. They sell cask and keg ales, natural wines and cocktails as well as stocking locally brewed beer from the Northdown Brewery, Xylo and many others. Order in local Palms Pizza too. Cosy, friendly and they love a dog.
Open Monday 4pm - 10pm, Tuesday - Thursday 4pm - 11pm, Friday 2pm - 11pm, Sunday 12pm - 10pm.
Find them at 1 Canterbury Road CT9 5AQ.
5. No 42 Guesthouse Rooftop Bar for panoramic views
The only rooftop bar in Margate is hidden away on top of No 42 Guesthouse.
Hidden behind glass walls, the cosy space is sunny and warm and they know how to knock up an incredible cocktail. If you want to impress friends or family, bag a table and gaze over the sea - on a clear day you can see Reculver in the distance. Best of all it still feels like a secret.
Open from April - October, for up to date times check the website.
Find them at 42 High Street CT9 1DS
6. Dory’s for SEafood With Your Sunset
Serving raw, pickled, cured and baked seafood and seasonal veg in cute small plates, Dory’s is perfect if you want the full sunset experience but want something more refined than just sitting on the Margate Steps.
Perch in the window or bag a pavement table and raise a glass of Kentish fizz and slurp on an oyster to toast the sunset.
Open Thursday - Monday 12pm - 9pm.
Find them at 24 High Street CT9 1DS
7. Barnacles for a friendly atmosphere
Barnacles is a quirky, old fashioned proper pub / seafront bar opposite the Turner. There aren’t many pubs with sea views like this in Margate or anywhere else!
With lots of outdoor seating on the wide pavement, it's the perfect place for getting a drink and watching the world go by (and probably making new friends). Feel free to buy legendary Peter’s fish n’ chips and enjoy it with your pink or oysters from Manning’s across the road.
Open Monday - Sunday 12pm - 10pm
Find them at 1 King Street CT9 1DD.
8. Little Swift for wines and slushies
Head upstairs and find Little Swift’s stunning upstairs window with bay seating looking out over Margate Main Sands, or you can sit and relax on the pavement sipping on some of this deli / bar’s huge array of interesting wines (or inventive cocktails and mocktails).
Even better every summer Little Swift open their hatch and serve seasonal alcoholic frozen slushies for takeaway to sit on the beach or the steps. They’re one of the best cocktail bars on Margate’s seafront.
Open Monday - Thursday 12-10pm, Friday - Saturday 12-11pm and Sunday 12-10pm
Find at 7-8 Marine Drive CT9 1DH
Enjoy the summer sun at Little Swift
9. Bar Nothing for Sunset drinks and beyond
Sunset drinks in Margate don’t get any better than this. A friendly, well stocked and woo-woo leaning bar, Bar Nothing is located opposite the Lido Sign. Eclectic DJs and a brilliant music policy means the informal dancefloor gets packed post sunset and this is where Margate locals come down let their hair down.
There's so many things to look at when going to Bar Nothing, from trinkets and treasures to candlelit evenings which give it a laidback, informal vibe. Everything is welcome here from big groups, to dogs to spending the evening doing tarot reading. Margate nightlife at its finest!
Open Thursday 6pm-11.30pm, Friday 6pm-2am, Saturday 12pm-2am and Sunday 12pm-6pm.
Find them at 17 Cliff Terrace CT9 1RU.
Sit in the window at Bar Nothing and watch the sunset
10. Margate Off LicenCe for epic sunset pics
The decor, the wine, and the amazing sunsets - Margate Off Licence has it all.
This is definitely more of an end of the afternoon, early evening vibe than a late night party seaside bar but the often shared tables and window seats make it easy to make new friends and feel part of the community. And the drinks are top notch to boot.
Opening times can change depending on the weather so check their Insta.
On Friday 4pm - 10pm and Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Find them at 1 Ethelbert Terrace CT9 1RX.
11. Cinque Ports for Pre-drinks Before Dreamland Gigs
Cinque Ports is a huge seaside Georgian pub located on the very front of the beach, only a few minutes walk from Margate train station.
Perfect to visit before or after you go to Dreamland as it's right next door! New owners have revitalised it with cool decor, great DJs to get the party started and bangin’ Margaritas (£5 only on a Thursday).
And don’t miss their new Nashville inspired chicken and New Orleans inspired sides from Chixstock, all while you take in the people watching and life on Margate’s Main Sands.
Open Thursday - Friday 4pm-11pm, Saturday 12pm-11pm and Sunday 12pm-7pm.
Find them at 50 Marine Terrace CT9 1XJ.
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