The Pilot Beach Bar
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About The Pilot Beach Bar
The Pilot Beach Bar sits on the Harbour in Folkestone, set directly on the beach with views over the sea. It works as a bar, cocktail bar, and wine bar, with outdoor seating on the sand and indoor areas behind. The space uses repurposed fairground seating as its chairs, including dodgems and waltzers, which gives the room an unusual layout. Frozen cocktails, bar snacks, coffee, and pints are on offer, and dogs are welcome. Palm trees form part of the setting along the seafront.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Usually plenty of parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Menu & Prices
7 dishes · mains £9–11- ALLORA LIMONE SPRITZ£10.00
- HOUSE HUGO SPRITZ£10.50
- PINA COLADA£9.50
- DARK 'N' STORMY£8.50
- FROZEN SPICY MARGARITA£9.00
- THE PALOMA£10.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention repurposed fairground seating, frozen cocktails, beachfront sea views and ice tea recipe.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention repurposed fairground seating, frozen cocktails, beachfront sea views and ice tea recipe.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the sea views and beach setting, with seating repurposed from dodgems and waltzers. Frozen cocktails and an ice tea also get mentions. Criticism centres on staff: one describes straight faced, soulless service, and another was turned away because last orders had been called. A longtime visitor wanted more varied music than reggae and noted most palm trees had died.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often praise the sea views and beach setting, with seating repurposed from dodgems and waltzers. Frozen cocktails and an ice tea also get mentions. Criticism centres on staff: one describes straight faced, soulless service, and another was turned away because last orders had been called. A longtime visitor wanted more varied music than reggae and noted most palm trees had died.
Featured reviews
- robert winch
“Lovely location but the straight faced soulless staff made paying £7 a pint difficult and unwelcome.”
- Simon Haslam
“Great bar in the beach. Fantastic atmosphere. Love that items such as dodgems and waltzers have been repurposed for seating. Aidan your ice tea recipe is fire. Dan, thank you for great service 🙏🏼 Great views and vibes in the beach 🏝️”
- C J
“Favourite beach bar by the sea! We come here every year, but upon visiting a few weeks ago it was lacking something…Maybe beach type of music or chill out rather than just playing Reggae all afternoon, it has so much potential. Fantastic spot and views 🌊☀️ just needs more effort and ideas. Also palm trees 🌴🌴 are vital for this Beach Bar, as they do add so much character and make you feel like you are on holiday but sadly most are dead now… Whoever runs this place, please plant the new ones and look after them ☺️”
- Karim Abdallah
“The Pilot Beach Bar is a fantastic spot! It has a really cool, laid-back vibe with plenty of great outdoor seating right on the beach, including some fun converted fairground seats. It's incredibly family and kid-friendly, making it the perfect place to sit back while the kids enjoy the beachside atmosphere. The views overlooking the sea and the English Channel are spectacular. It’s a wonderful place to grab a refreshing drink, frozen cocktails, or some quick food and bar snacks while soaking in the sunshine. Highly recommend stopping by if you're exploring the Harbour Arm area!”
- colin hall
“Called in for a quick drink to be greeted with a "I've Called last orders, we're shut" Not a response to encourage me to return. Maybe a sorry we're closed was a not taught in customer care school.”
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Alcohol
- Casual
- Beer
- Food
- Solo dining
- Offerings· 3
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 1
- Trendy
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Highlights· 2
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 1
- Usually plenty of parking
Location
Bars near The Pilot Beach Bar
- The Harbour Inn4.21,6030.2 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kids
fish and chips, pork belly, scotch egg
- 0.3 mi
champagne selection, harbour views, freshly made crepes
- The Pullman4.41,6220.3 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
vegan chick'n burger, roast pork with apple sauce, roast top side beef
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pilot Beach BarReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5229 | — | £1–10 | repurposed fairground seating, frozen cocktails, beachfront sea views |
| The Harbour InnReservations · Good for kids | 4.21,603 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | fish and chips, pork belly, scotch egg |
| The Lighthouse Champagne Bar | 4.6233 | 0.3 mi | — | champagne selection, harbour views, freshly made crepes |
| The PullmanReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,622 | 0.3 mi | £20–30 | vegan chick'n burger, roast pork with apple sauce, roast top side beef |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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