Cliffs Pavilion Restaurant in Southend-on-Sea

Good points....Nice theatre. Has some top rate band, comedians, shows, in a comfy, fair sized venue. Bad points...Refreshments are overly expensive, service super slow, toilets not up to the half time break rush, coffee machine was broken and replacement was both expensive and might have been made by Baldrick in that WWI trench. But if the show is enjoyable, then other things become peripheral.

Been there twice in the last month, the shows were excellent. The staff are very good the only thing that lets it down for me and a few others are the seats they are really uncomfortable. Next time I go I'm doing the same as an older couple done and take a cushion.

Chairs uncomfortable staff very helpful and friendly

Went to Cliffs Pavilion to see Only Fools and Horses - Christmas present from the kids. Very large, clean venue. Helpful, polite, and courteous members of staff. First time I have ever been there and would happily go again. A very enjoyable night out.

Super venue for an array of shows.Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a slice of fabulous India just for a night !

Great venue. Restaurant is ok, not much choice on the menu. Having building work for the next couple of years (10/2024). Follow the signs for entrance. To the left, as you look at it, from the main road

Amazing night at Lord of the Dance. Such fantastic dancing skill!

We were sat in the stalls and you can tell they know what they are doing, the seats are staggered with the seats in front of you, so you have more chance of getting an uninterrupted view. Well done for that Cliffs 😊 A thoroughly lovely evening, comfortable seats, plenty of refreshments and an excrllrnt show, we will definitely be going back.

The theatre is undergoing a major refurbishment, so the foyer appeared crowded and small. However, the seats in stalls are no longer fit for the purpose they need to have more padding and also need to be a little wider to suit the current body shape. I personally do not have that issue, but I could see a number of guests struggling to fit into the chairs without elbowing their neighbours. The production of only fools and horses was brilliant and would highly recommend it to any fans of the 80s classic comedy show.

This pre show meal was perfect. Made the entire evening a lot more relaxed. Harriet was great and made sure we were well seen to. Would highly recommend food was delicious.

One major gripe about Cliffs Pavilion The seats are very uncomfortable. Tired and worn they tilt downwards so I can never get remotely comfortable. This distracts from any enjoyment I may be getting from the show I'm watching.

Great food, great service, great show [only fools and horses]

Absolutely amazing shows here! Only fools was a triumph!

Great show good venue but big queue for toilets lol

Great night out watching leo Sayer

Wonderful venue. Great sound and lovely staff. Keep these venues alive!

We went to see leo sayer it was great. Just down the road are some places to eat Italian. Fish and chips . And a place for steak or burgers etc

Lovely night out watching The Full Monty.

Good visit to this venue. There's a large revamp taking place so access was around the side but being managed well with stewards to guide. The bar area seating needs an upgrade, but all staff were attentive and friendly. A lot going for this venue. We will return

Always love going there. Atmosphere and shows are as good as London.

Work going on outside, but very good

My partner and I have visited this theatre numerous times over the last 5 or so years. It’s such a fantastic place to come and see a show. The place is actually much bigger than you’d expect with multiple floors and massive viewing spaces that afford brilliant views across the Thames. There’s a nice outside space at the entrance with water fountain displays and great views of the waterfront. The Cliffs manages to get some brilliant west end shows over from London quite often. All the shows we have seen have been brilliant. So nice to come here over the west end theatres as much closer to home and not so crowded as others. Would always recommend.

Back to the Cliffs for another great Paul Carrack gig..we were worried that the rebuild going on might be a little intrusive, but even with the original entrance closed things went smoothly. You are now sent round to the seaward side entrance that is a nice level access. Merch is now in the bar area ( a little cramped with people looking for a pre-show drink!) & the box office is downstairs near the toilets & covered parking entrance. Sound quality in the venue was great as usual, helped by the velvet voice of the seasoned Mr Carrack! Leaving our seats from upstairs in the box/ balcony area was easier than before works started!- Don't let the ongoing refurbishment put you off attending, as it's business as usual here.

We attended an evening with Tim Peake here. Brilliant! Didn't have too long to wait at the bar either..always a plus.

Visited on 20th September 2024 on arrival bar service was very slow the outside area tables were full of empty glasses and half eaten food at the interval we returned to the outside area to find nothing and been cleaned the whole evening was very disappointing

Nice staff, parking nearby available, nice bar. Could do with more toilets though as the queue for the ladies takes 15 minutes during the interval.

Had an amazing time only fault chairs are not very comfy

Couldn't see any of the show apart from left hand corner of stage.. Did not enjoy the experience, don't think I will book this venue again..

Great place for show i go there lot

Best theatre in South East England!!!!!

Loved the show Hairspray last Wednesday. Please be aware they are undergoing refurbishment for next 18 months! Restaurant meals are now downstairs (Maritime Room). The main entrance gone, now you walk pass the Cliffs to the side entrance. Reception is downstairs opposite Cloakroom and toilets. Staff on hand to help with any questions. The main bar/cafe still the same. Found it very overcrowded so if you have disabilities be careful. Saying that please support the theatre as they still have the best shows in Essex.

We had a beautiful three course meal pre-show, the food was beautiful and made special by our fabulous waitress. Alison made my special birthday evening that bit more enjoyable with her warmth and enthusiasm, thank you

Here you come again Dolly Parton show, good show.

A extremely good meal, good value for money and incredible service from Alison. Not only was it service with a smile, it was cheer and laughter. A true asset to the team and it was a pleasure to eat here. Many thanks for an enjoyable time.

Took my daughters here for a Taylor Swith tribute concert, the place was amazing, big enough but small enough that wherever you sit you can see the stage, getting in and out was easy enough

No trip to the theatre is complete without a pre show dinner and this is one of the best. Wonderful food, fabulous service and amazing views over the estuary.

Lovely theatre. Nice size. Good view from any seat. Good pre show menu available for prebook in the restaurant

Looking a bit tired these days, seats are too small and crammed together and uncomfortable for the length of a show. Not good if you are sitting next to a "larger" person.

Great day out with my daughter at swiftmania - the venue had slot if future performances - intend to visit again

Saw David Essex fantastic night and loved the pavilion.

Brilliant show...Dream Boys...definitely would recommend.

Easy parking, good shows to watch

Excellent night out in the heart of Essex 🎧 listening to the 🎶 music of the legendary Bob Marley.

Can.e here to see "the dreamboys" omg what a show ❤️❤️❤️❤️

To be fair, not a bad venue that attracts some big/decent acts... I've been many times. Low rating actually appertains to the website 'upgrade'. The 'just announced' feature that allowed you to view acts recently added has been removed, meaning you have to trawl the website trying to find them...life's too short! Contacted Trafalgar with a view to have the feature reinstated, which can't be that difficult, but as yet, no response. Update... 'just announced' feature is back. Upgraded to 5 stars. Good work!

Nice appearance of Pavillion, pre drinks ordered on time. Nice place to go.

A great venue,have used it for years reasonable prices ,and great atmosphere , Madam Butterfly,my first opera brilliant loved it ,👍😎⚒️

Easy access . Great theatre. Plenty of room & good views to watch performance

Here You Come Again, big disappointment. The 2 main characters were doing their best but unfortunately the show writer was a failure. Very sad to say that I cannot understand how you can charge over £60 per ticket for such a show. We will have to seriously re consider attending other shows as could be another waste of money. Now we know why there were so many empty seats! Very disappointed in the Cliffs for such a high charge. We overheard many others in the audience complaining about the show too so it wasn't just our opinion.

Had a very nice time. We went to see that'll be the day. Fantastic show

Great theatre with stunning views overlooking the seafront. Used to be a lovely place to sit outside on the benches and take in the views, but they seem to have removed the benches outside when I visited yesterday.

Fantastic performance of Pretty Woman

Great venue with reasonable close parking. Good selection of nearby restaurants (busy at showtimes). Provides a great selection of quality shows to cater for all tastes and ages.

Amazing food and views and service with Elaine. I visited with my Mum last week from Sheffield. We saw Pretty Woman the musical. We ate main and dessert including chicken curry and key lime pie.

Always gd and always friendly theatre

Great local theatre. Well organised. Good view from stalls. Seats are a little old and uncomfortable. Am sure the current refurbishment will resolve this issue. Always enjoy time at the Cliffs.

This amazing venue never disappoints. Excellent shows and incredibly well managed. Great facilities and very clean.

Excellent restaurant with the option to have your dessert in the interval which made us feel like VIPs returning to our table with our desserts waiting. Excellent food which tasted very high quality and a menu with great variety. I always think the people make it though and Alison, our excellent waitress, was so uplifting, positive & warm. She really made our evening, creating a great atmosphere. Thank you Alison 🩷

Amazing show. All the cast were fabulous. Such wonderful talent! Love that these shows can tour and be local to watch

Went along with the family to see another great show at the cliffs but I also wanted to mention the lovely and professional staff who served us drinks in the bar at the restaurant. Staff of all ages so friendly, helpful, professional and simply making the experience at the local theatre even better! Thank you 🤩

big but surprisingly cosy. Good facilities and access. a great theatre. 5 stars

Brilliant. Seating was good performance was entertaining

Brilliant afternoon watching pretty woman

Always have a good time here Staff are nice and friendly. Just could do with a few more ladies toilets.

Really enjoyed the show - shame about the people in the row behind who didn't stop talking.

The show was really good! What let the venue down were the actual seats, personally I found them far too low and could really do with a tad more stuffing in them.

Place lovely sitting is bad the sits are so low now need replacing could not see but as on end of row ha to lean to side to see lots complaining about it

For me personally, I love going to the Cliffs Pavilion, some really good shows on, if you want you can just go into any of the bar's.

Show was fantastic the Osmond story really good.yet another good day out with the grand kids seeing a show Madagascar.

I enjoyed being at the cliffs, watching shows, but cannot eat at the restaurant, as they don't do gluten free vegetarian food. I asked at the restaurant..

Watched Officer and a Gentleman here. Great show. Seats are a little uncomfortable after an hour or so

Lovely theatre,seen some great acts there 😄

Provincial theatre showing popular shows. Good resturant attached.

Rat pack Brilliant great evening see you soon

Book your table and keep it for the evening, avoid the crowds , queues for interval drinks have them or your puddings waiting for you at your table. Our thanks to the Chef( fab food) Georgia ( great service and always with a smile) and not forgetting Tyler the manager we go runs a tight happy ship( restaurant,😊) Five ⭐ stars from us.

Cafe over looking sea is excellent in all ways. Lovely views and service. No rushing us either.

Went to see Illegal Eagles. Fabulous night. Easy to get to by train. Will definitely go again.

Went to see An Officer and a Gentleman. Great show and good seats. Interval drinks and icecream quite expensive but overall experience was very positive.

Our waitress was Angel and she was so helpful with sorting us out for various bits and bobs. The food was lovely, well priced as part of the theatre package, albeit neither of us drank she found us alternatives to match.

Saw We Will Rock You and absolutely loved it. Seats at the venue are a little tired with age but no problem with comfort or leg room (I'm 6' 2").

It was a great show but the seats could be better.

Excellent show and venue but drinks more expensive than the west end.

They have some excellent shows here, by my lies the price at the bar is more expensive than London. Bring your own drink

Visited to see Gladys Knight always a good venue to attend, great sound and atmosphere

Went to see a show.Had a great time nice seats very clean got refreshment from the shop.

Jesus Christ Superstar with Julian Clary as Herod, a fantastic production, wonderful show

A decent venue, very friendly and accommodating staff and prices are reasonable.

Great music expensive drinks great night everyone dancing.

My only grumble is having to pay by card, no cash accepted in the theatre.

Great experience watching Cirque-the greatest show. Can get very packed and busy. Booked cliffs restaurant and the food choice was very limited. However cooked well and excellent service.

£11 for 2 ice creams, what an absolute rip-off!!

Had a fantastic time watching rock star kids. Seats comfy. Clean toilets. Drinks were a bit pricey though.

Amazing service provided and very friendly staff and helpful

Nice theatre because its more modern than the west end therefore more leg room.

Went to ser Glady Knight brilliant. All the staff really friendly

Fantastic theatre. Something on for everyone all year long. Some great shows straight from the west end

I have seen many shows at the cliffs as it is very local to me. It's a nice theatre. My only complaint is they now do an online order of interval drinks brought to your seat. Do not bother with these we ordered vodka and lemonade . It was 2 warm cans of pre mixed drinks in a paper bag and plastic cups and were charged £12 !!!!!! £6.00 a can You can get 3 for £5.00 in most super markets it's disgraceful I will never order drinks again.

Saw Alfi Boe. Absolutely incredible show. Wonderful treat for my mum. Thank you

My family and I went to see The Ultimate Classic Rock Show and it was fantastic. Great production and talent.

Very confused. Usually very efficient but today with a matinee due very slow.