Naval & Military Club, Southend-On-Sea

Blue Scrumpy left this review about Naval & Military Club

The Naval & Military Club sits high above the seafront at the end of a long terrace. Opening hours here are irregular (closed Tuesday & Thursday) but I was grateful seeing the door open when I arrived on a Monday evening. A corridor leads to the "Veterans Bar" on the right-hand side and then the main rooms to the rear via a small area with one table and a couple of games machines. The main room is carpeted with a stage and a dancefloor in the rear part. As you'd expect, there are lots of armed forces shields and memorabilia on the walls.

I seemed to catch the 4 staff members a little off guard when I walked in. They immediately informed me that only the cask ales were available, as I witnessed water pouring through pretty much all of the keg lines! That was fine by me, as it was cask I was looking for.

The 3 cask ales are constantly changing. For my visit, the selection was Downlands Down The 'Atch, Elephant School Jungle Juice & Brentwood Big Brown Bear. Cider would normally have been Aspall's. I was asked if I was a club member. I replied 'no' but did say I was a CAMRA member. I'm not sure of the significance of this but that seemed to guarantee me service (or perhaps a discount on the price). Card payments have to be at least £5. Halves I ordered cost £2.20 and £2.15. There is also a menu available.

Despite their being 4 staff members, I was the only customer. Somebody with a shopping trolley was leaving just as I arrived and as soon as I left for the station, I heard them close the doors behind me at just after 8pm. I suspect they were about to close them as I arrived but I obviously arrived just in time. Perhaps the offer of only cask ale and the queries about membership and then the cash only comments were all designed to deter me, but I clearly didn't take the hint!

It was difficult to judge this place on a very quiet Monday evening but the cask ale range was good and service despite being a little strange was still friendly. I'd give it another go if ever in Southend again.

On 16^th June 2026 - rating: 6
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