VIVA

You're walking past the Imperial Hotel towards the seafront, and suddenly you spot VIVA's gleaming frontage right on Victoria Parade—it's the kind of place that makes you wonder how it's taken you this long to discover it. Step inside and you've got all the trappings of a grown-up night out: carefully crafted cocktails that don't mess about, a confident drinks programme, and that particular buzz that comes from somewhere actually knowing what it's doing. The location is everything here—you're practically on top of the water, and whether you're perched at the bar or tucking into a corner table, there's a real sense of occasion without anyone getting too precious about it.