ACTIVE CHERRY
Active Cherry is a pole dance and aerial hoop community created by Cherry, a dancer and instructor whose love of pole began in clubs back in 2007.
She has spent years training and working alongside some of the best pole dancers and aerialists in the industry. She certainly knows her craft but what her students love most is how welcome and supported she makes them feel.
Cherry has made sure there is a class for every stage and ability. Her Pole Dance Roots class gives complete beginners a gentle start, while Ascension and Evolution help students build confidence as their technique grows. Pole Tricks is where you can get stuck into strength and new skills, while Aerial Hoop builds strength through playful sequences. $tripper $tyle Pole turns the lights down for sensual, music-led movement that stays close to pole's club roots.
WHAT WE LOVE
Progress gets noticed here. A first nervous spin gets the same applause as a move that has taken weeks to land. Cherry has built a community where people help each other stand that little bit taller. Heels optional, of course.
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ALEX NICHOLS SOFT TISSUE THERAPY
If you're not moving like you used to, Alex Nichols will get to the bottom of it.
Alex offers sports and remedial therapy in Hastings and works with everyone - from athletes wanting to train harder and recover faster to people who want to move without aches and pains slowing them down. Whether it's a dodgy shoulder or you're training for something big - get in touch to book an assessment.
WHAT WE LOVE
There are three sides to what Alex does. Assessment digs into your injury and symptoms to work out what's actually going on. Treatment works hands-on with the body's soft tissues to release tension and ease pain. And rehabilitation uses targeted stretching and exercise to get you back to full strength and keep the problem from coming back - all so you're moving better for the long run
Address
Gotham Alley, Trinity Triangle, Bohemia, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN34 1HE
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BARISTA AND THE SHACK
It's bright pink and it's right on the beach, we would be surprised if you managed to walk past Barista and the Shack.
Owners Jeremy and Justine have had this spot since 2019, serving Perky Blenders coffee from the hatch and making excellent use of one of the best locations on the lower promenade.
There’s breakfast and lunch through the day, with plenty for vegetarians and vegans and if you’re staying for sunset, the licensed bar has beer and wine, plus their proper tasty Rum Punch.
Music is a big deal here too. Soul and funk are usually playing in the background and their Beach Front Sessions have regular live acts and guest DJs on. There’s wheelchair access and it's super dog friendly - please check out their doggo gallery, you will not be disappointed.
WHAT WE LOVE
It’s about as close as you can get to having a drink on the beach without actually putting your glass in the shingle. So, grab a coffee and claim a deckchair because it really is summer all year round at Barista and the Shack.
Opening Hours:
Cabaret Mechanical Theatre
Step into the wonderfully curious world of Cabaret Mechanical Theatre, where art and engineering meet. Home to a unique collection of automata created by some of the world's most imaginative makers, this Hastings gem has been fascinating visitors and inspiring creativity since 1981.
From quirky moving sculptures to clever mechanical creations full of humour and surprise, every piece has a story to tell. Their public space gives you the chance to get up close with these inventions, work out how they do what they do, and discover the joy of making for yourself.
WHAT WE LOVE
The workshops. Plenty of places would show you a collection like this and leave it at that - here they will teach you how to make one yourself, whatever your age or skill level. There are kits, books and gifts to take home too, so you can carry on the mechanical magic once you leave. It's genuinely unlike anything else in town.
OPENING HOURS
Open by appointment on weekdays, and on selected weekend Open Days.
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Cake Room
Cake Room does exactly what their name suggests - the place is full of cakes. And very delicious ones at that, all baked fresh on-site every day.
But it's not just cakes - oh, no. There's a savoury menu too: toasted paninis, salads and a daily soup & daily special + locally roasted Pelicano coffee from Brighton and speciality loose-leaf teas from Bird & Blend. And since it's fully licensed, you can always swap your coffee for a prosecco or one of their delicious iced tea cocktails.
If that wasn't enough, it's also dog-friendly, with free Wi-Fi, outdoor seating and step-free access throughout - and the walls get a fresh hang from a different local artist every few weeks.
WHAT WE LOVE
Whether you are vegan, gluten-free or just very, very hungry - you're leaving with cake. And good cake. What's not to love?
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
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Collected Fictions
Collected Fictions is a natural wine and craft beer bar and bottle shop in St Leonards. Opened by owner Eliot in June 2021, all drinks are carefully hand-picked from independent producers from around the world.
Grab yourself some natural wine to take away or to drink in, plus there's a rotating list of bottles and cans and six draft lines to choose from. Plus, there is plenty of space to sit outside or settle indoors into the separate seating room if you are staying a while.
Collected Fictions is as much a neighbourhood hangout as it is a bottle shop. Local artists regularly take over the walls with monthly exhibitions, while collaborations with local food and drink businesses keep things fresh. You will also find them pouring at local events, including Hastings Tap Takeover and Fat Tuesday.
WHAT WE LOVE
It's an easy one to nip into for a quick drink and find yourself leaving a couple of hours later. But if you can't stop, they will fill your takeout bottle straight from the tap - genius!
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Tuesday: 5 pm - 9 pm
Wednesday - Saturday: 11 am - 9 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 9 pm
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CROSS FIT 1066
CrossFit 1066 is a friendly, community-focused gym in the heart of Hastings, offering strength training, cardio, gymnastics and functional fitness - no matter your level.
Alongside the classes, they offer Olympic lifting, personal training and nutritional support, plus they're a genuinely welcoming community to train alongside. For those of you who aren't sure what CrossFit is - it's a high-intensity programme that blends weightlifting, cardio, gymnastics and functional training into one well-rounded workout.
WHAT WE LOVE
Every session is scalable, so whatever your starting point, you can join in and progress at your own pace - with expert coaches on hand to keep you challenged and supported.
If you fancy giving it a try before you buy, you can claim a 7-day free trial here. You can find CrossFit 1066 at the entrance in Gotham Alley, through the big metal gates.
OPENING HOURS
Monday: 6.15 am - 8:30 am & 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesday: 6.15 am - 10:00 am & 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Wednesday: 6.15 am - 8:30 am & 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday: 6.15 am - 10:00 am & 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday: 6.15 am - 8:30 am & 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday: 9.00 am - 1:00 pm
Sunday: 9.00 am - 1:00 pm
Cumbia Kitchen
Cumbia Kitchen brings a hint of Latin America to the St Leonards seafront. It started out as a pop-up and a little kiosk on Hastings Pier, before owner Jackie Turner found it a permanent home right on the Marina, looking straight out over the water.
The food is Colombian and Latin American street food all made with fresh, local ingredients - expect black bean and butternut empanadas, Venezuelan corn fritters under a poached egg, and aubergine fries you will want to order twice. More than half the menu is naturally vegan and gluten-free too, so there is no sad side-salad option here. And the drinks are just as good: Brazilian single-origin coffee by day, and pisco sours and passion fruit caipirinhas to sip in the afternoon sun.
WHAT WE LOVE
The seafront setting seals it. Grab an al fresco table and enjoy the Latin music playing, with the dog parked underneath you and the water right out in front of you. It's a little bit different and a real taste of South America on the Sussex coast. Keep an eye out for their evening pop-ups, too.
Opening Hours:
Thursday - Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm (with occasional evening events)
Venues Dandelion Deli Kings Road Mews, Bohemia, Hastings
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Venues
Dandelion Deli
Dandelion is a café, deli and record shop all rolled into one.
Come for breakfast (till 11.30 am on weekdays, all day at the weekend) or grab some lunch from midday, when a fresh meat and vegan dish lands daily. There are 9 salads made from scratch every day, pastries galore (baked locally from scratch), and a scotch egg so good that it's genuinely famous. On the deli side there's more of the good stuff - cheeses, cured meats, fish, dried goods, and a wide range of gluten, wheat- and dairy-free bits.
Grab a bite to go, or settle in and dine in the conservatory or out on the front terrace. And don't forget to head downstairs to the record shop - a little vinyl haven that doubles as an event space you can hire out.
WHAT WE LOVE
It's a deli that genuinely caters for everyone: veggie, vegan, gluten-free, you name it, and they are always up for stocking something new if you ask.
OPENING HOURS:
Open seven days a week, 8 am - 5 pm
Dark Circles COFFEE & MUSIC BAR
DÉJÀ VU
Old, new and a little bit unexpected - can only be Déjà Vu.
Owner Matt Hull-Tullah has filled his Norman Road shop with things you want to pick up and look at twice - from beautifully odd antiques to clever modern pieces you won’t see everywhere else.
There are local prints celebrating Hastings and St Leonards, plus homeware from British makers and bigger designer names. You will also find houseplants and and great gift ideas if you’re trying not to buy for yourself (good luck with that).
WHAT WE LOVE
Matt came to St Leonards after a career in advertising, and that eye for detail runs right through the shop. Just popping in to Déjà Vu for a look, you say? Yeah, yeah. That old chestnut.
Visit their website
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Opening Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
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Dept of Joy
Colour therapy, but make it retail. Welcome to DEPT OF JOY, creative director Matt Setchell's shrine to looking on the bright side of life.
It's a shop and creative studio packed with graphic art prints, cards, and unique colour-drenched homeware. Born from a life-changing accident and built on one simple philosophy - always keep a little joy in your back pocket - the shop is a whole mood.
The colours hit you before you are even through the door, and that's the point. Forget browsing by mugs or prints; the whole shop is blocked by hue, so you drift from yellow to pink to blue, building your own mood board as you go.
Matt's Dispensary Collection pairs bold prints with motivational affirmations and the in-store "Make Me a Mantra" station lets you leave with words made especially for you.
WHAT WE LOVE
Every piece is designed to lift your spirits, from typography prints that say the thing your friend needs to hear, to candlesticks that wouldn't be seen dead in beige. Happiness, available over the counter - trust us, you won't leave empty-handed.
Opening Hours
Monday: 11 am - 4 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday: Closed
Thursday - Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm
Community & Faith Drawing Life Hastings Contemporary, Rock-a-Nore Road, Old Town, Hastings
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Community & Faith
Drawing Life
Caring for a loved one can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also sometimes leave you feeling a little isolated or overwhelmed. Drawing Life aims to support carers by creating a welcoming space where you and the person you care for can enjoy being creative together.
Held in beautiful gallery spaces, their free, artist-led drawing sessions give unpaid carers and the people they care for a chance to pick up a pencil and get lost in the moment. Each session encourages creativity and conversation and whether you go together or each independently, everyone is welcome, and no previous drawing experience is needed.
Drawing has a wonderful way of bringing people together, and for those living with Dementia, Parkinson's, stroke, reduced mobility or other long-term conditions, it can offer a new way to express themselves. Sessions regularly take place at Hastings Contemporary (Rock-a-Nore Road, Hastings, TN34 3DW) and at the De La Warr Pavilion in nearby Bexhill-on-Sea. Drawing Life events are featured on our events listing page or you can visit their website below for more information or to make a donation to support their incredible work.
WHAT WE LOVE
It's a real social lifeline; a chance for carers to connect with others who understand what they're going through, while being creative with the people the care for. Every session is relaxed and informal and all art materials are provided - expect plenty of conversation - plus, tea and biscuits on tap!
Visit their website
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Address
Hastings Contemporary, Rock-a-Nore Road, Old Town, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN34 3DW
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Flot & Jetsam
Flot and Jetsam is a fashion boutique made for those who would rather not blend into the high-street crowd. Expect carefully chosen collections from brands like MOLLIOLLI, FRNCH., Religion Clothing, Sugar Hill Brighton, Sittingsuits and Second Female, with new arrivals landing each season.
WHAT WE LOVE
If you like your clothes to have a bit of personality and flair, this is definitely the place to browse.
OPENING TIMES
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11 am - 3 pm
Wednesday: 11 am - 4 pm
Thursday: 11 am - 4 pm
Friday: 11 am - 5 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday: Closed
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French’s Bar
One of Hastings' best-loved bars, French's traces back to the 1970s, when the original French's Inn was a legendary hangout for the town's musicians and artists. Today's French's keeps the name as a tribute to that era, but it's fresh management running a modern late-night cocktail and DJ venue.
It's one of the town's favourite little dance venues - with a ground-floor bar and an upstairs chill-out lounge, pulling in a regular crowd of locals and creatives.
There's something on most nights. Thursdays bring live storytelling and spoken word, with regular appearances from The Yarn (run alongside the Hastings Writers Club). Fridays and Saturdays go late and loud, with resident and guest DJs spinning house and techno until 2.30am. And Sundays wind things right down with an open mic jam, with local musicians taking to the stage for acoustic sets.
It's also a regular event hub, hosting everything from the Hastings Comedy Festival to local electronic music events.
WHAT WE LOVE
It's a real local with real history. And whatever you're in the mood for - we guarantee, French's have a night for it.
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Thursday: Closed (unless hosting a pre-ticketed event)
Friday: 6:00 pm - 2:30 am
Saturday: 6:00 pm - 2:30 am
Sunday: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am
GOOD GRADES COFFEE
Jack runs Good Grades and has been in the coffee business for nearly a decade - and you can taste that experience in every single cup.
The beans change regularly here, with single-origin coffee from Pharmacie and Curve alongside independent roasters from around the country. Everything on the counter is made locally too. Honeycomb Cakes and Small Batch Babka supply the sweet stuff, while Fedd Box takes care of the savouries. Gluten-free options are also available.
Take your coffee upstairs to the lounge and enjoy a rotating gallery of local Hastings art while you’re there. Dogs are welcome here too, if yours appreciates that sort of thing.
WHAT WE LOVE
Good Grades Coffee is the perfect place to just take a minute for yourself - banging coffee downstairs, local art upstairs and zero reason to rush anywhere else.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 3 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9 am - 3 pm
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greyskull
greyskull is a Hastings café, founded by Daniel and Sean - self-proclaimed coffee and BBQ lovers and longtime hospitality folk, who turned a simple pop-up into a permanent home for great coffee and food.
Famous for its home-cured, smoked bacon and locally sourced brunch, greyskull knows how to keep things interesting. Every month the BBQ fires up in their part-sheltered courtyard - a sunny spot that doubles as an outdoor venue for free live music, community celebrations and poetry slams. Primarily a daytime café, greyskull shifts into a licensed bar for its evening events, serving local beers, wines and more.
WHAT WE LOVE
You can tell this place was built on genuine passion. Daniel and Sean really mean it when they say it's all about bringing people together - it's that warmth what makes greyskull more than just somewhere to grab a flat white.
Hastings Contemporary
Surely, there can’t be many galleries where you can step out of an exhibition and straight onto a working fishing beach? But that is exactly what makes Hastings Contemporary so special - it sits directly among the town's famous tall, black net huts and overlooks the largest beach-launched fishing fleet in Europe.
Head inside the award-winning building and you will find an ever-changing programme of exhibitions exploring the sea, sustainability and coastal life. It also showcases modern British artists and emerging local talent, alongside projects with scientists and projects rooted right here in Hastings.
It’s an independent arts charity, with a big role in the town’s creative life. Alongside its exhibitions, it runs events and workshops that bring people together and make art feel open to everyone.
WHAT WE LOVE
The setting, first and foremost - where else can you look at contemporary art with a working fishing beach right outside? But it's the spirit of the place that really wins us over: a place that’s rooted in Hastings and proud to be part of it.
OPENING HOURS
Friday: 11 am - 5 pm
Address
Hastings Contemporary, Rock-a-Nore Road, Old Town, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN34 3DW
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Hastings Museum & Art Gallery
The award-winning Hastings Museum & Art Gallery is free and packed with wonderfully diverse collections. Established over 125 years ago and run by Hastings Borough Council, people have been exploring art, culture and history here for well over a century.
And there's a lot to get through. The local history galleries chart the story of Hastings from prehistory to the present day, including its pivotal role in the Norman Conquest. You will also find one of the UK’s most significant Native North American collections here, alongside the story of Hastings-born writer and conservationist Grey Owl.
The magnificent Durbar Hall (built for the 1886 Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London) shows off gorgeous Indian-style architecture and decorative arts. And in the natural sciences galleries, interactive dinosaur displays and local wildlife dioramas bring the past to life. There are rotating exhibitions too, showing work by local and international artists, alongside the museum's permanent collections spanning maritime heritage and seaside tourism.
WHAT WE LOVE
For a free museum, the range is genuinely remarkable. In a single visit you can go from local prehistory to the Plains of North America and the Durbar Hall is so stunning, it alone is worth the trip.
OPENING HOURS:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 4.30 pm
Address
Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, Bohemia Road, Cuckoo Hill, Bohemia, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN34 1ET
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Heliotique
Heliotique is an award-winning independent gift and lifestyle boutique, offering a carefully curated mix of design-led treasures and thoughtful gifts.
Heliotique was founded by Lily King in 2018 in Willesden Green, born of her love of the eclectic and a quest for 'the perfect gift'. It quickly became a local gem, known for its warm welcome and bold, beautiful edit of products from independent brands and makers. In 2025 Lily opened a second shop in Hastings' America Ground, bringing that same colour and charm to the East Sussex coast.
Whatever you're hunting for, or whoever you're buying for - it's a proper one-stop shop, with a thoughtfully selected mix of clothing, fashion accessories, beauty products and home decor.
WHAT WE LOVE
Everything here is chosen with real care, with the focus on independent brands and makers you won't find on the high street, so what you pick up feels that bit more special. Add all that colour and charm, and it's a genuine joy to browse.
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday: 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm (June to August and December)
Arts & Creative Isobel & Celeste 16 Silchester Road
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Arts & Creative
Isobel & Celeste
Isobel & Celeste is an independent studio and shop in St Leonards, run by friends and artists Isobel Lynam and Celeste Hartley.
If you're looking for something unique and handmade, definitely pop in. The place is packed with beautiful artwork, handmade ceramics and gifts - they also host a rolling programme of beginner-friendly workshops where you can have a go at making something yourself (from pottery throwing to experimental painting).
WHAT WE LOVE
It's a shop and a studio rolled into one, run by two friends who clearly love what they do.
OPENING TIMES
They're generally open Wednesday - Friday, though workshop days can shift things around, so it's worth checking their Instagram for the latest hours and class schedule before you visit.
Limitless Studios
Limitless Studios is a small, coaching-led fitness studio on London Road in St. Leonards-on-Sea. Classes are capped at nine and are fully coached and cover HIIT, strength, Lifting Club + a weekly Run Club.
For members who want something more tailored, small-group personal training runs in pods of four to six, with bespoke programming - including injury rehab for those working around or through something.
With more than 100 members, 31 weekly classes and nine SGPT sessions, it’s big enough to offer plenty of choice but small enough so that you never feel like a membership number.
WHAT WE LOVE
The free 7-day trial is a no-brainer and if you’re already sold, there’s some pretty decent Limitless merch up for grabs too.
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Lior Wellness Studio
Lior is a neighbourhood wellness studio in St.Leonards-on-sea, just a stone’s throw away from the seafront.
Founded by Emily, they specialise in high quality yoga and pilates, massage and host a private Scandinavian yet Hamman style private sauna experience.
Lior prides itself on being warm and welcoming - from the space itself to every one of its teachers and practitioners. You can drop in to the studio or join one of their memberships here - all class memberships include £10 off on all 60 minute saunas and massages.
WHAT WE LOVE
Lior runs yoga teacher trainings, movement trainings and workshops throughout the year. Their next 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training starts January 2027. They also run international wellness retreats - their next one is a massage and yoga retreat in Croatia in October, and in Morocco in December. They also have monthly free talks at the studio on a Friday evening, where everyone is welcome.
Check their website for opening hours and class timetable.
Mind over Matter Boxing
Mind Over Matter Boxing is an outdoor boxing community in Alexandra Park, run by Simone, who has been boxing since 1997 and has fought for two British titles in Thai boxing.
After coaching in London for nearly two decades, Simone moved to Hastings, where she has spent almost two years running boxing classes in the park. Complete beginners can learn the basics at their own pace, with support from someone who understands how daunting a traditional boxing club can feel.
The sessions build fitness and confidence and are a fantastic way to let off some serious steam. Weekend training takes place on Sunday mornings. During the week, there is a Tuesday evening class and another on Wednesday morning. Classes cost £15 on a pay-as-you-go basis. DM Simone for more info or to book a class.
WHAT WE LOVE
A two-time British Thai boxing title contender teaching complete beginners in a park is not something you find everywhere and Simone makes it feel possible for anyone to walk in and start. What her regulars talk about most is the community she has built - just take a look at her 350+ five-star Google reviews if you need proof.
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More Fountains
Hastings and St Leonards love a party, and Roo Walton (aka More Fountains), has spent nearly a decade making sure we get one by bringing some serious household name talent to the south coast.
As a previous owner of the Marina Fountain, Roo has brought in sets from the likes of Andrew Weatherall, Goldie, Greg Wilson, Dennis Bovell and Optimo, among many, many others.
After his stint as a rave-pub landlord, More Fountains took the show on the road, keeping the party going across Hastings, London, Bristol and Margate. Leaning heavily into dance music, though never tied to it - More Fountains is always chasing interesting new sounds for this corner of the south coast - with Hastings coming first, every time.
WHAT WE LOVE
Roo genuinely knows his stuff, and it shows in the calibre of names he's pulled to this seaside town - you have More Fountains to thank for the fact that some of the best in the business have played just a stone's throw from the beach.
ORCHARD ROAD @ THE OLD RECTORY
Acclaimed chef Rob Hills brings his popular Orchard Road concept to The Old Rectory, an award-winning boutique B&B, serving a refined take on his signature Southeast Asian cuisine.
Rob's deep-rooted passion for Singaporean food is a personal legacy - inspired by his late mother who grew up in Singapore during the 1960s. His culinary style has been shaped by six extensive research trips to the city, immersing himself in its diverse and multicultural street food culture.
Orchard Road dishes feature on the daytime menu at The Old Rectory Café, with Orchard Road takeovers every Friday and Saturday evening, plus Sunday lunches with a Rob Hills twist in the main hotel.
WHAT WE LOVE
His menus showcase the bold, complex flavours that have defined his career, from cult pop-up to local culinary staple. Expect freshly made bao buns, his popular Singaporean butter chicken, and his absolute signature dish: a rich, slow-cooked beef rendang.
Nightlife,
Venues Oscar’s On the Square Lower Promenade
Nightlife,
Venues
Oscar’s On the Square
Perched on the lower promenade directly opposite Warrior Square, Oscar’s On the Square can be easy to miss from above. But head down to beach level and you will find this former beach office turned restaurant/ bar/ live music venue, with outdoor seating that looks straight out to the sea.
They serve burgers, loaded fries & Jerk. There are loaded nachos and hot dogs too, with dedicated vegan and kids’ options.
On Sundays, the kitchen switches to traditional roasts, with beef, pork or nut roast served with all the trimmings.
The space also doubles as a 100-capacity venue for live music and late-night DJ takeovers spanning house, techno, reggae and drum & bass. It’s also available for private hire, with its own canapé and buffet menu.
WHAT WE LOVE
Be careful. We popped in for an afternoon burger and didn’t get home until 1 am. The vibes are just that good.
Opening Times:
Monday to Wednesday: Closed
Thursday to Sunday: 13:00 - 22:00
Pass Muster
In the heart of the lovely, Victorian Kings Road, Pass Muster sells interesting antique and vintage furniture, homewares, accessories and less-than-ordinary gifts.
Run by partners in life as well as business, Andy Dickson and Linda Gray love bringing inspiring wares to locals and visitors alike. Andy restores the one-off furniture pieces himself in the in-house workshop, while Linda, an art graduate, sources charming, highly colourful, and unusual accessories, ceramics, and gifts from around the world.
WHAT WE LOVE
Every piece here is either lovingly restored by hand or carefully chosen by eye, so there's a real story behind what's in the shop. Look out for them if you're heading to Kings Road Street Market, taking place on the first Saturday of every month.
OPENING HOURS
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Venues PLAY St Andrews Shopping Mews, St. Andrew's Square, Trinity Triangle, Blacklands, Hastings
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Venues
PLAY
Play is a relaxed café in Hastings designed for babies, toddlers and the grown-ups who bring them. Little ones can play and explore in a safe, thoughtfully designed space while you settle in with locally roasted coffee and seasonal food in a warm & welcoming atmosphere.
Play sessions are £4 per child and pre-crawlers go free. If you fancy making a morning of it, you can add a food bundle (Play & Breakfast or Play & Lunch) for £15. There is no need to book either; just turn up and play.
You can also book the café for exclusive hire, making it an ideal spot for birthday parties and celebrations for children aged 0–4.
WHAT WE LOVE
Every detail has been considered, from locally roasted coffee and bespoke ceramics to wholesome, seasonal ingredients. Play has built a genuine community for local families, where little ones can explore freely and the grown-ups can enjoy a great coffee while they’re at it.
OPENING HOURS
Monday & Tuesday: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday & Friday: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed (reserved strictly for private hire and birthday parties)
Address
St Andrews Shopping Mews, St. Andrew's Square, Trinity Triangle, Blacklands, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN34 1SR
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St Leonards Art School
St Leonards Art School runs a six-week rolling painting courses from its studios on Maze Hill in St Leonards.
Rudiments of Painting, led by celebrated local artist James Mackinnon, covers all the core skills for aspiring painters - from sketchbook development and colour theory to working with watercolours, acrylics and oils - the perfect opportunity to try painting for the first time or even brush up on existing skills.
Originally from London's East End and now based in Hastings, James Mackinnon is a third-generation artist known for his detailed, evocative cityscapes and architectural paintings. He describes the course as a crash course in painting and drawing, covering all the associated mediums.
Students can choose from daytime or evening weekly classes Tuesdays: 6 pm - 8.30 pm or Thursdays: 10.30 am - 1 pm.
Their six-week course costs £225. To book, email: stleonardsartschool@outlook.com
In addition to adult courses, the school hosts innovative Kids' Art Clubs for children aged 7 and up. These dynamic sessions focus on building confidence and exploring different mediums, with convenient weekly slots available after school and on Saturday mornings.
WHAT WE LOVE
The Maze Hill studios are a genuinely picturesque and inspiring place to learn - and with no experience needed and all materials provided, there really is nothing standing between you and your next masterpiece.
CLASS HOURS
Adult Classes
Tuesday: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm & 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Wednesday: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm & 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Thursday: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Kids' Art Clubs
Tuesday: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Wednesday: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
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St Leonards Ceramics Studio
St Leonards Ceramics Studio is a community pottery hub right smack on the seafront, tucked inside the historic Marina colonnade.
With the largest wheel-throwing and glazing facilities in the Hastings area, it's the perfect place to get your hands dirty (whether you've ever touched a lump of clay or not).
For the total beginners out there, try their friendly taster sessions or structured intro courses to ease you in. And for those handy at the wheel, their weekend masterclasses go deep on advanced techniques like Raku firing, amphora building and porcelain paper clay. And for seasoned potters looking for space to create, there is an open-access membership giving you independent studio time and shared facilities whenever the mood may strike.
And if you're not there to pot, pop into the shop to browse and buy handmade work by the studio's teachers, members and its students.
WHAT WE LOVE
Where else can you learn to throw a wonky bowl with the sea right outside the window? Plus, it welcomes everyone, from old hands to absolute beginners, zero talent required.
OPENING HOURS
shop opening hours
Monday: 1 pm - 6 pm
Tuesday: 1 pm- 4 pm
Wednesday & Thursday: CClosed
Friday: 1 pm - 6 pm
Saturday: Closed (reserved for workshops)
Sunday: 10 am - 3 pm
studio access
Members' Room: open 7 days a week, 7 am- 9pm
Main Studio: open to Open Access Members on weekdays and Sundays
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Starsky & Hatch
Starsky & Hatch is an independent café and kitchen right on the Lower Promenade, tucked inside the historic Bottle Alley in St Leonards. Built straight into a concrete beach bastion, it's about as close to the sea as you can get without your cossie.
This is a lovely beachfront hangout serving artisan coffee, wholesome food and panoramic sea views. The menu runs from breakfast bowls, granola and smoothies and there is a generous spread of vegetarian and vegan options. There is a full bar too + live music most weekends.
WHAT WE LOVE
The setting, obviously. Few cafés can offer you a deckchair with a flat white. But it's the social vibe that keeps people coming back for a lazy weekend breakfast or a Bloody Mary in the sun.
OPENING HOURS
The BRAologist
The BRAologist is Hasting's answer to disappointing high-street fittings. Local bra fitter, Emma offers private appointments for anyone who wants a bra that still feels good at the end of the day. Imagine!
Emma fits by eye, looking at how each bra sits on your body and adjusting from there. You will stay covered throughout and have plenty of time to try what feels comfortable, without a changing-room queue waiting outside.
Her interest began in 2006, when a fitting at Rigby & Peller moved her from a 34C to a 30E and changed everything she thought she knew about bras. After years of telling friends to book themselves a fitting, she completed her professional training in 2024 and made it official.
Now she is doing for others what that first appointment did for her: showing others that the size they have always worn may not necessarily be the one that supports them best.
WHAT WE LOVE
A private fitting with someone who listens shouldn’t feel revolutionary, but here we are. Emma takes the awkwardness out of the whole experience and sends you away knowing what fits and why. Get ready for a top-drawer clear-out.
OPENING HOURS:
Monday: 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday: 1 - 9 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 1 - 9 pm
Friday: 10 am - 1 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
THE HUMBLE HANGOUT
The Humble Hangout is a community café near St Leonards seafront, set on the ground floor of The Humble Heart Wellness Centre.
Created by Chris and Jo Allen as part of The Humble Collective, it works equally well for a well-deserved coffee after a class or a long brunch with your gang.
Inside, comfortable chairs sit beneath a large mural by local artist Suzie Suzko but its biggest surprise is out back, where a secluded garden gives the café room to host events and offers a welcome escape from the bustle outside.
Brunch runs from Friday to Sunday, with a changing menu co-created by local chef Amy Smith. During the week, there's breakfast baps and freshly made lunches, alongside homemade cakes and bakes from local independents. Their cacao bar has built a bit of a reputation around here but if your lunch calls for something stronger, their full alcohol licence means wine and beer are at the ready.
The Humble Hangout has become a lively part of the local calendar too. Their events include bottomless DJ brunches and summer garden roasts, with local cooks also hosting pop-ups.
WHAT WE LOVE
The Humble Hangout truly makes you feel at home, while its peaceful garden makes it too easy to stay longer than you originally planned. Their Burnt Basque cheesecake has no business being that delicious either.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday - Sunday: 10 am - 3 pm
Wellness The Humble Heart 18 Silchester Road
Wellness
The Humble Heart
The Humble Heart is a three-floor boutique wellness centre on Silchester Road where therapists, healers, coaches and facilitators can hire peaceful rooms by the hour. Created by Jo Allen as part of The Humble Collective, it gives practitioners a professional setting for one-to-one treatments and small-group work without the commitment of permanent premises.
The Humble Hangout café occupies the ground floor, pairing its cacao bar with a community garden out back. This gives the building a social side, with somewhere for clients to wait before an appointment or spend time afterwards.
On the middle floor, the fully equipped studio holds up to 15 yoga mats. Its smaller scale suits intimate classes and workshops, including meditation circles, while keeping enough room for everyone to move comfortably.
At the top of the building are two individual treatment rooms alongside an in-house holistic beauty salon. The dedicated Therapy Suite includes a massage table and ergonomic wave chair, with a comfortable corner set aside for private consultations. It can be used for acupuncture or massage, while the consultation setup works well for hypnotherapy and private psychotherapy. Reiki practitioners can book the room too.
Hire is available for regular bookings or one-off sessions, with half-price rates offered for one-to-one appointments and online work. Practitioners can manage their own booking portal, while The Humble Collective helps promote your sessions through its channels and local publications.
The studio and treatment spaces are on the upper floors and reached by stairs, so anyone with mobility requirements should contact the team before booking.
WHAT WE LOVE
The Humble Heart gives independent practitioners a beautiful place to work and the backing to fill it. That support helps keep local talent local - an excellent use of square footage if you ask us.
Skills & Education THE MUDWORKS 138 London Road
Skills & Education
THE MUDWORKS
Chantelle Duncan and Isabella Campi met at a craft market in December 2020 and within about five minutes of talking, realised they wanted to build the exact same thing: a pottery studio. Only a month later, they signed the lease on an old garage in Harold Mews and by April 2023 they moved into a bigger space in the Bohemia Quarter, where The Mudworks runs six classes a week and counting.
If you have never touched clay, their taster sessions are an easy way to try the wheel. Six-week courses help beginners and intermediate potters take their skills further, while one-off workshops dig into a specific technique. If you are an experienced potter, you can even join as a studio member, and access one independent day each week, with glazing and firing included.
WHAT WE LOVE
Two people met and went on to create a community of potters. Plus, the Mudworks makes pottery easy to try and hard to give up, so we’d clear some shelf space before booking a taster if we were you.
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The Old Rectory
Set within a stunning Georgian house on the edge of Hastings Old Town, The Old Rectory is a charming, award-winning boutique B&B by the sea. If beautiful, individually designed bedrooms, locally sourced food, magnificent walled gardens and tranquil treatment rooms are a bit of you - look no further.
The accolades speak for themselves: it's held onto the Michelin Key for exceptional stays two years running, and has just been named one of The Times' 50 Best UK Stays for 2026.
There are eight elegant bedrooms plus a two-bedroom suite, each named after an Old Town street and featuring work by local artists and designers. Expect garden or Old Town views, and a choice of claw-foot rolltop baths or luxurious walk-in waterfall showers and wet rooms. It's the little touches that set it apart, too - the finest linens and hypoallergenic bedding, bespoke toiletries from local brand Oast & Rye, Smart TVs, artisan teas and coffee, and handmade biscuits all waiting for you.
WHAT WE LOVE
The Rectory is owned by fashion and interior designer Lionel Copley, and his playful aesthetic is everywhere you look - from the fur-and-antlers statement throne in the drawing room to the secret loo hidden behind a bookcase in the opulent Crown honeymoon suite.
Make yourself at home why don't you - sink into the slouchy sofas in the sprawling reception rooms or warm up by the open fire. There's indulgent afternoon tea to be had, whether in the house or out in their stunning gardens, and a whole range of therapies on offer in the treatment rooms.
B&B from £140 per night - you can book here.
Address
The Old Rectory, Harold Road, High Wickham, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN35 5ND
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The Piper
If you like your pubs with a bit of soul and a lot of live music, The Piper is the one for you. It's a grassroots venue and rock 'n' roll boozer in St Leonards, brought back to life out of the old boarded-up Norman Arms.
Grab a pint from their cracking selection of draught beers or head upstairs to their live room, where you'll catch everything from nationally touring acts and the best local bands to comedy nights and DJs - all powered through a top-quality sound system.
And then there's its history. The Piper is named after Pink Floyd's debut, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, in honour of Syd Barrett, who played his last ever gig with the band just down the road on Hastings Pier back in 1968. Did you know, the actual floorboards from Barrett's London flat (the ones on the cover of The Madcap Laughs ) live upstairs? They were saved by the community and are out on display for any Floyd fan to come and see.
WHAT WE LOVE
For a room that fits a couple of hundred, it lands some seriously big names; they've hosted shows by the likes of Julian Marley, PP Arnold, Brian Jackson and Sea Power. It’s where Kid Kapichi rock up to for a secret show, and where local bands like Hot Wax and Snayx cut their teeth before the festival circuit came calling. With its huge history and huge reputation for booking iconic names and rising talent, The Piper is hard to beat.
Opening Hours
Monday - Wednesday: 4 pm - midnight
Thursday: 1 pm - midnight
Friday: 1 pm - 2 am
Saturday: 12 pm - 2 am
Sunday: 1 pm - midnight
The Pumphouse Cafe
The Pumphouse is a community café perfectly placed inside Alexandra Park. Created by Rikki, who knows how to feed a crowd and keep it thoroughly entertained, it serves restaurant-standard food in a peaceful park setting.
Rikki's path to Hastings wasn't the usual one. She started as an art director and stylist on the sets of pop videos and TV commercials, then became an in-house chef for Brick Lane executives, before launching her own film and TV catering company. When she found the building in Alexandra Park, opening a café here felt like the most natural next step.
Now, nearly three years on, The Pumphouse has become a much-loved fixture. The brunch menu changes with weekly specials, and the counter is packed with cakes and other delicious treats to eat in or take home.
It's fully licensed too, so you can enjoy a cold beer and/or ice cream on the terrace. It's also wheelchair accessible and dogs are always very welcome.
That's not all - Pumphouse events have a reputation of their own. Past events have included the Alternative Dog Show and Traitors nights and the Christmas quizzes and evening music nights are super popular.
WHAT WE LOVE
The sun-trap terrace is an excellent start; an Alternative Dog Show in the events calendar only seals the deal if you ask us. All in all, Alexandra Park is a lot more fun with The Pumphouse in it.
OPENING HOURS:
8:30 am - 4:00 am, 7 days a week.
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The Selkie Seafood Bar
Tucked into Bottle Alley on St Leonards beachfront, The Selkie is a seafood bar with stunning seaside views. They serve super-fresh oysters and homemade fish stews, plus their seafood charcuterie boards are... *chefs kiss*
It's casual and a little bit trendy, with beachside outdoor seating and occasional live music. They open early as a beachside café, then shift into a seafood bar as the day goes on. Whatever you're eating, pair with a well-chosen list of wines, beers, locally roasted coffee or some seriously good Bloody Marys.
WHAT WE LOVE
The Selkie nails the seaside dining dream: laid-back enough for a casual catch-up and special enough to bring a date. Mostly, though, it's a great spot to lose a sunny afternoon by the water and not feel a shred of guilt about it.
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 8 am - 6.30 pm
Friday - Sunday: 8 am - 7.30 pm
The St Leonard
If you're after a super friendly and welcoming local, it doesn't get better than the St Leonard really. Chris and Phil opened the pub's doors back in August 2012 and with its relaxed atmosphere and a decent playlist always on the go, it's the perfect place to catch up with old friends (and make a few new ones while you're at it). They have proper wood-fired pizza on the menu, too - courtesy of local pizza place: Pizzarelli.
WHAT WE LOVE
There is always something on! One night it's theatre or comedy, the next their popular pub quiz - not to mention, regular DJs and live music events keeping things lively. Plus, it's a real champion of local talent, with the walls handed over to local artists to showcase their work as a new exhibition every three months.
OPENING HOURS:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 5 pm - 11 pm
Thursday: 5 pm - 11 pm
Friday: 5 pm - 11 pm
Saturday: 5 pm - 11 pm
Sunday: 5 pm - 11 pm
Venues The Stables Theatre The Stables Theatre, The Bourne, Old Town, Hastings
Venues
The Stables Theatre
The Stables Theatre has been part of Hastings Old Town since 1959 and, all these years later, is still run entirely by volunteers. And it's that local team who keep a busy programme moving through the intimate 126-seat auditorium, producing around ten plays of its own each year across new writing and established work. Visiting performers add live music and comedy to the calendar, while the gallery runs exhibitions throughout the year.
Its story stretches back to 1746, when the building began life as a stable block. By the 1950s it was facing demolition, but local campaigners fought to save it and found the building a new purpose. Sir Ralph Richardson opened the converted theatre in 1959, beginning a new chapter that Hastings residents have kept going ever since.
With the audience sitting so close to the stage, even the smallest details carry right to the back row. The 1066 Youth Theatre and regular workshops also give younger performers a route into theatre, with opportunities to learn before appearing in their own productions.
The team has worked hard to make the historic building accessible. The venue offers step-free wheelchair spaces with nearby seats for assistants, while platform lifts provide access to the first-floor bar. There is also an accessible loo and an infra-red listening system in the auditorium.
Let’s not forget their upstairs bar, which opens an hour before performances and usually stays open after the curtain comes down. The room can also be hired with the adjoining Gwen Watford Gallery, giving private parties and receptions plenty of space. The auditorium and art gallery are available to hire too, with catering arranged through the theatre or independently.
As The Stables is a self-funding charity, any money spent here helps care for the building and keeps the programme moving.
WHAT WE LOVE
A 1746 stable block becoming a theatre was already a great plot twist, but but the local volunteers keeping it alive makes the story even better - especially the part where they give local young people the chance to learn their craft and take to the stage.
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Saturday: 10:30 am - 1pm
Sunday: Closed
Show Nights: 6pm - 7:30 pm. They will also be open 1hr before matinee performances.
Closed on all Bank Holidays.
Address
The Stables Theatre, The Bourne, Old Town, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN34 3BD
View MapNightlife THE STAG INN 14 All Saints' Street
Nightlife
THE STAG INN
A 16th-century pub with open fires, folk sessions and... wait, what? Two mummified cats in a glass case? Well, let it be said here: The Stag Inn is never going to be short on character.
Sitting at the top of All Saints’ Street, this Grade II-listed pub dates back to around 1547 and is one of the oldest pubs in Hastings. Inside, as you’d expect, it’s all low beams and candlelight, and out back there’s a secluded tiered garden that really is a magical spot for evening drinks.
The food is hearty pub fare, with fish and chips and slow-roasted meats among fan favourites. There are good vegetarian and vegan choices too, plus gluten-free options. Sunday roasts here are especially popular, so booking ahead is wise.
Music is life at The Stag. Its Tuesday folk session has been running for more than 40 years, with anyone welcome to join in. You will find more live music on through the week and come Jack in the Green, the Stag Inn is right in the very thick of it.
And yes, about those cats. Two mummified felines were discovered bricked into the building during renovations, thought to have been placed there centuries ago to ward off evil spirits. They now live in a glass case inside the pub because, well, why not?
Dogs are very welcome. The cats, thankfully, don’t seem to mind. Due to the age and layout of the building, wheelchair access is limited, so it’s worth checking directly with the pub about your individual access needs before visiting.
WHAT WE LOVE
There are pubs with history, and then there’s The Stag, where the walls have collected Hastings stories since 1547. Have a pint by the fire, stay for the folk music - oh, and say hello to the cats.
Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 22:00
Friday & Saturday: 12:00 - 23:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 19:00
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The Waves
The Waves is an independent shop in Hastings' America Ground, a hagstone's throw from the sea and a real find if you care about independent publishing. The shelves are full of small presses like Fitzcarraldo Editions, And Other Stories and Cipher Press, alongside fiction, poetry, essays, memoir, graphic novels and a well-kept section of signed copies.
The Waves Bookshop offers an intimate, evening-focused event schedule designed around community gathering and independent publishing. As a registered LGBTQ+ safe space, the shop primarily hosts indie book launches, live poetry and fiction readings, and opening receptions for rotating gallery exhibitions featuring Hastings-based artists. These gatherings typically take place after closing hours and serve to connect local readers and creatives within the historic America Ground neighbourhood.
WHAT WE LOVE
There are magazines and journals to dig through, plus fantastic art supplies and stationery to get you started on something of your own. Pop in and have a browse - they're open weekdays, too.
OPENING HOURS
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 am - 6pm
Wednesday: 10:00 am - 6pm
Thursday: 10:00 am - 6pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 6pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 6pm
Sunday: Closed
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WISE MAMAS
If you are feeling lost in the noise of pregnancy and postnatal advice, Wise Mamas has got you.
Wise Mamas was founded by private midwife and fitness specialist, Elena Paparello to help fill the gap in postnatal care. By bringing expert recovery and strength training together with professional midwifery support, Elena has created a space where new mums can rebuild their confidence as well as their fitness.
Better still, it is genuinely child-friendly as there is a dedicated play area in the gym, so there’s no need to arrange childcare - just take your little one along.
WHAT WE LOVE
The honesty of it. Wise Mamas gives expert-led support and not an ounce of judgement. Having midwifery, fitness and wellness all in one place is rare enough, but it's the community that really sets it apart: a room full of mums who all get what you're going through and are all cheering you on.
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed (Open occasionally for special community events or competitions).
Address
Maunsell Road, Castleham Industial Estate, Tilekiln, Hastings
St Leonards, East Sussex, TN38 9NP
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WOW & FLUTTER
You’ll pop into Wow And Flutter to browse the vinyl and somehow come out with a book you’d never heard of - as well as a tote bag full of records.
Tim and Susan opened it in 2014, after years working in the creative world and collecting the things they loved. Luckily for us, they packed up, moved to Hastings and turned that long-held idea into a shop of their own in the America Ground.
They serve Volcano coffee while you browse racks of second-hand vinyl, alongside books and graphic novels. You will also find comics, manga and Japanese imports, with toys and zines tucked in among it all.
They buy, sell and trade vinly and comics over the counter too, so if you have records gathering dust at home, this is a great place to bring them.
WHAT WE LOVE
You can lose a very respectable amount of time in here. Go in for the records, get sidetracked by the comics and then spot something you definitely weren’t planning to buy. But that’s half the fun of Wow And Flutter.
Opening Hours:
Wellness Yes Queer 4-5 Shepherd Street
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Wellness
Yes Queer
yes queer is a wellness community for queers, by queers.
They create places where you can take up space, expand and grow strong in body and mind, and find your folk.
yes queer believes in the power of movement, with everything from vinyasa and yin yoga to strength training. They believe in the power of sound too - connecting to your voice, finding freedom in expression and soaking up good vibrations through sound baths, kirtan and wild singing workshops.
WHAT WE LOVE
The team is an incredible group of queer, trans and nonbinary facilitators and trainers, and every event is inclusive of trans and nonbinary folk. They come from all sorts of cultures across the world, and that diversity shapes their work too.
yes queer events can be found on our events listing page - or visit their website below.