As you’ll probably expect, there’s not much of a club scene here in the seaside town of Folkestone. If you’re looking for late night dancing and early morning closing times then you may be disappointed. However, what Folkestone does have is a stellar selection of bars and pubs that are perfect for a drink, or a few. On top of excellent beverages you’ll also find some sublime eating, including the best roast in Folkestone.
Nightlife in Folkestone
Pubs
Before we delve into the full-sized pubs of Folkestone, we want to tell you about the Inn Doors Micropub on Sandgate High Street. It’s probably our favourite place to go for a drink in the area. For all intents and purposes, it’s a 1930s living room where you can enjoy a perfectly-pulled pint of cask ale. There are no TVs, music, fruit machines, or anything like that. In fact, you’re asked to put your phone on silent. This is a place for good conversation, well-priced drinks, simple bar snacks, once a month there’s a charity quiz, as well as regular bring your own vinyl nights. It’s not just for ale-lovers, either. There’s a strong selection of ciders, wines, vodka, port and brandy. Along the same lines, The Firkin Alehouse is another good micropub near some of our favourite places to eat in Folkestone on Sandgate Road.
Next up, on the corner of Sandgate Road and Cheriton Place you’ll find The Chambers. Fajita Fridays is, frankly, an absolute winner. However, you can head down any day of the week for good drinking, better eating, and occasionally live music. The staff are always friendly, when it’s busy there’s a fantastic atmosphere, and the prices are more than reasonable.
If you’re looking for a finer drinking option, then try The Pullman on Church Street. It’s a pretty little watering hole with some of the most pukka pub food in all of Folkestone. The portions aren’t the biggest on the planet, particularly when it comes to pubs, however, the quality of food is exceptional, they also have a great selection of beers and wines. Also, like the micropubs we mentioned earlier, there are no TVs, just a roaring fire and a cosy atmosphere.
Three-time Champions League winning Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o, if you’re reading this, we have the perfect pub for you. The Samuel Peto is the local Wetherspoons here in Folkestone. Sadly, the chap it’s named after has nothing to do with football. Samuel Peto was one of the great railway contractors of the Victorian age. He helped to pay for the Salem Chapel which has been tastefully transformed into this popular pub. The building itself is absolutely stunning, and considering you can get a cheap meal throughout the day and a decent drink, we thoroughly recommend popping in, just to see its stained-glass windows, wooden filigree and ornately-painted ceiling.
Pubs in Folkestone
Bars in Folkestone
Bars
The Rum Clinic is one of the most popular bars in town. Any pirates planning on docking at Folkestone will want to sample something from their excellent selection of rums. Shiver me timbers there are more than 70 different bottles to choose from, not to mention a mighty cocktail menu of creative concoctions and old classics. The music tends to be good, and locals like a bit of dancing, so on the best nights it can be rather rambunctious.
Last on our list of drinking options is The Bouverie Tap. It’s a supremely stylish little British bar with old-fashioned decor, rustic furniture, honest homemade food – including arguably the best roast dinner in Folkestone – and a solid selection of drinks. You won’t find a friendlier set of staff, and it has the added benefit of being just a five-minute drive, or half an hour’s walk from our Folkestone (Channel Tunnel) hotel.