Business Details
Royal Hotel: Premier Event Venue & Dining in Southend on Sea
Established in the early 1800s, Royal Hotel has been a cornerstone of Southend on Sea's social scene for over two centuries. Our family-operated venue combines historic charm with modern hospitality across three distinct floors, offering versatile spaces for both private celebrations and public entertainment. The ground floor Bar & Lounge serves contemporary cuisine and artisanal cocktails daily, while the grand Ballroom hosts weddings, corporate events, and our renowned live comedy nights. Our subterranean Legbas bar provides an exclusive setting for private hire, accommodating up to 60 guests in a decadent speakeasy atmosphere.With a legacy of hosting royalty and aristocracy, we continue to curate exceptional experiences through our dedicated service, carefully crafted menus, and commitment to preserving the building's architectural heritage. Our team specialises in creating memorable occasions, from intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, ensuring each event benefits from our unique blend of historical grandeur and contemporary convenience.
Services
Event Hosting
Private Hire
Wedding Services
Live Comedy
Cocktail Bar
Dining Experience
Christmas Celebrations
Corporate Events
Speakeasy Venue
Brunch Services
Highlights and features
- Family-run venue preserving historic charm since 1791
- Versatile three-floor space for events of all sizes
- Exclusive Legbas basement bar for private celebrations
- Award-winning live comedy and entertainment programming
- Dedicated event coordination for seamless celebrations
Services
Event Hosting
Our grand Ballroom provides the perfect setting for weddings, corporate events, and special celebrations. With capacity for up to 200 guests and period features complementing modern amenities, we offer tailored packages including catering, entertainment coordination, and bespoke dcor options. Our experienced team ensures seamless execution of every event.
Private Hire
Legbas basement bar offers exclusive private hire for up to 60 guests. This prohibition-era inspired space features period dcor, dedicated bar service, and flexible seating arrangements. Ideal for intimate gatherings, themed parties, or corporate networking events with bespoke catering and entertainment options available.
Live Comedy
We host regular live comedy performances featuring top UK comedians and rising stars. Our comedy dinner shows combine professional entertainment with three-course meals in an intimate setting. Events include themed nights and special seasonal performances with guaranteed audience interaction and premium seating arrangements.
Cocktail Bar
The ground floor bar offers an extensive cocktail menu featuring classic and contemporary creations. Our mixologists use premium spirits and fresh ingredients to craft signature drinks alongside non-alcoholic alternatives. The menu includes seasonal specials and tableside preparation for select premium cocktails using traditional techniques.
Christmas Celebrations
Our annual Christmas programme features themed dinners, tribute acts, and interactive shows. Packages include three-course meals, live entertainment, and premium seating. Special offerings include wine pairings, seasonal cocktails, and exclusive access to basement bar events during the festive period for a complete holiday experience.
Questions
What types of events can I host at The Royal Hotel?
We accommodate weddings, corporate events, birthday parties, wakes, and special celebrations. Our three-floor venue offers flexible spaces for 20-200 guests with bespoke catering and entertainment options.
Do you offer Christmas party packages?
Yes, our Christmas programme includes themed dinners, live comedy, and tribute acts with three-course meals. Packages start at £55 per person and include entertainment, with options for private group bookings.
Is The Royal Hotel accessible for wheelchair users?
Unfortunately, due to our historic building's layout, we cannot accommodate wheelchair access at this time. We recommend contacting our team to discuss specific accessibility requirements.
Can I book Legbas basement bar for a private event?
Yes, Legbas is available for private hire seven days a week. This exclusive space accommodates up to 60 guests with dedicated bar service and bespoke menu options for special occasions.
What dining options are available?
Our Bar & Lounge serves daily meals from £20, including brunches with bottomless drinks. We offer set menus for events, private dining options, and a la carte service featuring seasonal British cuisine with vegetarian and dietary requirement options.
Reviews (4)
Patricia Vizcarra
Dec 16, 2021
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Food is great, staff is very nice. Very wide selection of cocktails. I was impressed about finding Corona on draught! We also have been to comedy club and it was fab! We are definitely going back
Elenatronik
Nov 05, 2021
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Lovely and welcoming room with good buzz. Friendly staff and great food and cocktails. Would be nice to have more veggie/vegan options as it's a bit meat biased but good overall experience
Nicola Huczyk
Oct 14, 2021
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Myself, my husband and 2 sisters came here today for the gents afternoon tea after winning a competition on Facebook. I was very impressed, the staff catered well for my husband as he doesn't eat cheese , the food was delicious and the service was good. I would definitely recommend to anyone.
Ian Cunningham
Sep 27, 2021
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The hotel was clean. I requested our bed sheets be changed on arrival. They weren't dirty as in not been washed they were but there was an imprint of a boot on the sheet. Any way they were changed immediately. Just unfortunate they should never have been fitted. We ate in the restaurant one evening and the food was good and reasonably priced. We payed what I considered to be a small amount extra for a sea view and it was well worth it with exceptional view of the estuary. Though hotel staff need to go out and clean the balconies to the same standard as the rest the hotel
