Port Cocktail Bar

You're walking along Royal Parade, past the pier and the usual seafront buzz, when you duck into Port and suddenly you're somewhere that takes itself seriously without being insufferable. The space has that upscale-but-not-stuffy vibe that Eastbourne's waterfront has been crying out for—think exposed brick, good lighting, and staff who can rattle off their spirit provenance without sounding like a Wikipedia entry. The cocktails are balanced and inventive rather than Instagram-bait, and they'll happily make you something off-menu if you tell them what you're actually in the mood for. It's the kind of place you go when you want an evening to feel a bit special, whether that's a Friday night out or a proper date.