A brand-new culinary celebration is coming to Southend this autumn, as the city prepares to launch its first-ever Southend Food and Drink Festival.
Running from Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, the ten-day event promises to showcase the best of Southend’s growing food and drink scene, featuring exclusive offers, special menus and over £700 in prizes for participants.
Organised by Southend City BID and sponsored by Southend Theatres, the festival aims to spotlight some of the city’s most-loved venues, from independent restaurants to popular bars and cafés.
Nick Parr, Theatre Director at Southend Theatres, said:
“Southend Theatres is delighted to sponsor an event which celebrates our city’s fantastic hospitality scene – it’s a brilliant way to get people out, enjoying what Southend has to offer ahead of the festive season.”
Festival-goers can take part by collecting a trail map and postcard from any participating venue, enjoying an exclusive festival offer, and collecting a sticker for each visit. Anyone who collects three stickers by the end of the event will be entered into a prize draw.
Prizes include a meal for two at Molo Lounge, a ‘best of both’ box from Wilma’s, a VIP booth at Popworld, afternoon tea at The Royal Hotel, and several other treats from participating venues.
The full list of special offers during the festival
| Venue | Offer |
|---|---|
| Caddies | £5 Slush Cocktails! Grab one of their alcoholic slush cocktails for just £5 each, from their exclusive festival cocktail menu. |
| Black & Red Bistro Grill | 2 for £15 Cocktails; 2 for 1 hot drinks (subject to time and day restrictions). |
| Ask Italian | 20% off total food bill. |
| Boom Battle Bar | Round of golf for £5 per person — £1 discount. |
| Cliffs Pavilion | 25% off in their café bar from 10 am–4 pm. (Excludes alcohol; includes hot or soft drinks ordered with food.) |
| Esquires | • Any ciabatta/toastie/melt with any drink and any crisps for £9. • Free ice cream single scoop for kids when order placed above £10. • Free croissant with any regular coffee before 10:30 am weekdays. |
| Indirock | • Grab a cake and hot drink for £5. • Get 2 for 1 on all their cans of beer, wine and cocktails. |
| Kokoro | £10 for one chicken main dish and two pieces of side (excludes katsu bun). |
| Molo Lounge | Free dessert when any main meal is ordered. |
| Park Inn by Radisson Palace | Free kids main with the purchase of an adult meal. |
| Popworld | Free entry all night with festival postcard! 2 for 1 cocktails before 11 pm every night! |
| Salsa Tapas & Grill | 10% off your total bill when you mention code FESTIVAL! |
| Switch | Pizza Pocket & Cocktail for £11 (signature dough handheld pizza + a house cocktail exclusive to the festival). |
| The Alex | 10% off your bill between 5 pm–9 pm. Two new signature dishes: Cajun chicken and rice; and the Hungary Hussar Burger. |
| The Royal Hotel | Two-course set menu for £20. |
| Utopia Coffee Lounge | Coffee & a toasted teacake for £5 before 11 am (includes medium latte, cappuccino, Americano or tea). |
| Wagamama | £12 lunch menu available from 12pm–3pm. Kids set menu for £7.80. |
| Wilma’s | • Bring a Friend Deal – Two speciality coffees for £6 before 11 am (excludes extras like syrups/alt milks). • Sweet Duo Upgrade – Add a brownie, blondie or cupcake for £2 with any coffee or Belgian hot chocolate (available 11 am–close). |
Suzanne Gloyne, Southend City BID Manager, said:
“We’re so excited to bring this new event to Southend, with 18 venues signed up and 26 great deals available. It’s a brilliant way to explore the city and support our businesses in Southend – with the added bonus of potentially winning one of our £700 in prizes!”
Southend City BID (Business Improvement District) is a partnership of local businesses that invests in projects and events designed to make Southend a more vibrant, welcoming and successful place to live, work and visit. Funded by businesses through a small levy, the BID has been responsible for initiatives such as enhanced street cleaning, city centre events, and marketing campaigns promoting Southend as a thriving coastal destination.
David Garrett, owner of The Royal Hotel, said:
“There’s a lot of great venues in Southend, and we’re proud to be a part of something that celebrates us all. A new festival is exciting, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to The Royal Hotel to enjoy our special set menu and events.”
With the city’s food scene expanding in recent years – from seafront dining to independent cafés in the High Street and beyond – organisers hope the festival will become a regular highlight in Southend’s cultural calendar.