The Loft Lounge

Head up those stairs on Station Street and you've left the bustle of central Eastbourne behind. The Loft Lounge has that rare quality of feeling both polished and genuinely welcoming—no velvet ropes or pretension, just proper drinks in a space that doesn't need to shout about itself. You'll find people actually talking to each other here rather than performing for Instagram, which feels increasingly countercultural in 2024. The cocktails are well-made without being fussy, and they've clearly thought about their spirit selection. It's the sort of place that rewards a regular's instinct: you'll build a rapport with whoever's behind the bar.