Licklist guide to ... Southend
Southend is home to the longest pier in the world and famous for its seafront attractions. But it’s when the sun goes down that Southend has really made a name for itself. With a “golden standard” nightlife it attracts a hoard of party goers, including some of your favourite celebrities.
There’s a night out for every day of the week which means there’s never an excuse to stay indoors, perfect for party animals and students alike.
If you want to truly experience the best of what Southend has to offer, then head to “Monday Mayhem”. Mayhem is legendary for its Monday nights, with free entry before 10.30pm and £2 drinks all night long. It’s no wonder as to why. Saturday is also a night not to be missed at Mayhem, worth travelling from miles around. It boasts the UK’s finest DJ’s and celebrity guests, including Will-I-am, Tinie Tempah, Professor Green and Busta Rhymes! Reality TV royalty also make a regular appearance, in particular your favourite towie stars.
Now ask yourself this, have you ever been given free popcorn whilst you’re on the dance floor?! Well you can say yes if you’ve been to mayhem! Their popcorn machine shoots popcorn out to the crowd making the night all the more interesting, even if you are still picking it out of your hair for hours the next day.
Box nightclub recently became Southend’s answer for a Tuesday night. It’s now one of the most popular student nights so it won’t break the bank; Box offers free entry before 11pm and 1.50 drinks all night long
The biggest retro night in Essex is brought to you by Chameleon every Wednesday with their “Funki Munki” midweek mash up. You’ll be in for a treat as they play all of your favourite guilty pleasures, perfect for starting off the weekend, even if it is a few days early.
Southend’s original and largest capacity nightclub Talk boasts a state of the art LED graphic display, so it’s the place to be, especially on a Thursday night. Three rooms of pop, house and urban faves means it will give any hard-core clubber the ultimate clubbing experience. Its large capacity does mean however that it can be easy to lose your way around so make sure you’re good at making new friends. With a large selection of drinks just £1.50 all night, it suddenly won’t be that hard to do!
Friday and Saturday is when Southend’s nightlife lives up to its name, meaning you’ll be spoilt for choice on the venue. There are plenty of pubs and bars to start your night whilst you make that all important decision on where you want to head to after. The Last Post and Varsity can both guarantee a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for getting you in the mood for the night ahead.
Dick De Vignes is one of Southend’s top entertainment venues and not to be missed on a Saturday night. £2 drink deals before midnight and 2-4-1 cocktails if you’re feeling a bit fancy, a great night is on the cards without having to splash the cash. It’s also the only place in Essex that you can get their speciality nine shot shooter ‘The Rainbow’. Who doesn’t like a challenge? You can expect club classics and party hits throughout the decades.
If all the above isn’t your kind of scene and you prefer a different atmosphere, then The Chinnery’s, located on the seafront, is the place for you. The Chinnery’s has a different vibe to the rest of Southend’s nightlife and is the only place in Southend that has live music. You won’t want to miss the live performances; Ellie Goulding, Snow Patrol and Artic Monkeys are amongst the many impressive artists who have performed there.
You’re guaranteed an epic clubbing experience in Southend, so why haven’t you been there yet?! Book a train, catch a flight or jump in the car, Southend’s nightlife is definitely something everyone should experience.
By Georgina Mullany