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Guernsey Nightlife - Bars Pubs Nightlife Guernsey |
 Famous for its jumpers, pretty cows, and still low duty/vat-free status (despite being the most southerly of the British Isles, the Channel Islands are not part of Britain's political system), Guernsey also boasts some very reasonable nightlife. Well, it needs to really when you consider that of the 60,000 odd population, around 30 per cent are aged 20-39.
With an economy that is strong in finance - banking, investment, insurance etc - Guernsey has more than its fair share of wealthy individuals, both living there and regularly visiting, so the expectation for the 'good life' is high...and this is reflected in the pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants. Oh yes, Guernsey takes food and entertainment very seriously, particularly (and not surprisingly) seafood. Whether you're out for a quick bar lunch, gourmet dinner or late night music/dining experience, there's a surprisingly wide and good choice at reasonable prices. If you live in Guernsey, eating out is most definitely the norm.
Within its 24.3 square miles, just north of the French coast, St Peter Port is Guernsey’s capital and where just about all the action is (including great shopping - especially during sale times). A bustling harbour town offering a delightful mix of architectural styles, St Peter Port is literally bursting with pubs, bars, bistros, and restaurants. |
 For great (and proper) pubs, try The Albion House Tavern (also known as the Kosy Korner) which on three floors has four bars - two traditional tavern style downstairs and a modern sports bar and wine bar upstairs. Friendly atmosphere and good food, The Albion's claim to fame is being the pub nearest to a church in the UK, thanks to a protruding gargoyle on the latter.
The Ship and Crown in the North Esplanade offers a good selection of real ale and cider and has excellent views over the harbour, while the Cock and Bull in Lower Hauteville is one of the liveliest pubs in the town - and the nearest you'll find to a student bar in the summer months.
Bar wise, try The Red Onion in Lefebvre Street for a fun, lively spot with large screen tvs, or The Library Bar in Moores Hotel, which is quiet, cosy and classy. Laska's cocktail bar, South Esplanade, is an excellent venue to start the evening while Dix-Neuf is also worth a mention. Describing itself as neither a restaurant nor a wine bar, cafe or pub, its a lively, brasserie style venue in the Commercial Arcade, open all day with occasional live music. |
 Restaurants? We could go on all day, but two of the best are Le Petit Bistro which offers a really superb £9.95 two course set lunch Monday - Saturday (as well as a wide and varied a la carte menu), and Da Nello - a couple of doors up in Le Pollet - where the calamari is said to be unbeatable.
Popular late night venues tend to be situated in Le Pollet and include Guernsey’s revamped and largest dancing/live music venue, Rogues; the laid back Barbados and Christies Bar & Bistro, the latter offering live music five nights a week from 8pm as well as an award winning restaurant specialising in seafood. Excellent live music can also be found at The Dog House in Rohais, which attracts music fans of all ages, while Guernsey’s oldest club - Les Folies d'Amour - in North Plantation, is still claimed by many as the best.
Not all the good venues are restricted to St Peter Port. The Imperial Hotel at Rocquaine Bay, apart from being a decent place to stay, has breathtaking seaviews and offers an excellent bar menu as well as superb seafood in its Waters Edge Restaurant. If you're prepared to put the boat out expenditure-wise, Christophe at Fermain is Guernsey’s only Michelin star restaurant with an inventive and adventurous menu, while the award winning Auberge at St Martin's Point/Jerbourg is widely recognised as one of the best restaurants on the island ��" with stunning views across to the neighbouring islands. |
 The Rockmount Bar at Castel on the West coast is sited in one of Guernsey’s finest locations, right across from the beach, and is extremely popular as an 'out of town' pub. Good local beers, excellent bar lunches (moules marinieres and steak to die for) plus wonderful views over Cobo bay make this a very worthwhile trip
Guernsey’s beach kiosks can also be a food lovers delight offering crab sandwiches, wonderful cream teas and the 12 egg sponge cakes famous in the north west of the island. Most notable is the Fermain Beach cafe, accessed by a narrow car free lane, which has been mentioned in The Guardian as one of the UK's top ten. What was once a mere kiosk has developed into an award winning seafood bistro where, not surprisingly, you are advised to book.
But here's a tip. If the weather is good (and gorgeously blue skied warm winter days are not unusual), pack a picnic of French bread, cheese, local crab (visit the Crab Cabin in Vale for 1lb pots at £10) and Guernsey cider, and explore the utterly beautiful coast line. There are views from bays and clifftop path that are truly breathtaking.
And there are even more good pubs and good food to be found offshore. Make time to take a ferry and enjoy the short 20 minute hop to Herm,or a little further on to Sark - both with their own character and charm. |
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