Don't Miss: Latte Art Throwdown, New Beach View Café & Cinema Walk

Plus Independent Broadstairs' Summer Starts Here is this week!

I’ll be honest, I’m slightly delirious writing this newsletter as I set my alarm for 3:40am to see in the Summer Solstice yesterday. Who else headed to the beach to see the sunrise on the longest day of the year?

The beaches were packed out with swimmers, paddle boarders and people enjoying chilling on the sand. A beautiful weekend in Broadstairs.

Summer Solstice 2026 on Joss Bay beach

Now that we’re officially in summer, there’s more and more on offer. There’s a couple of new openings you need to enjoy, including a beach view matcha bar, plus it’s all about our wonderful independent businesses this weekend for Independent Broadstairs’ Summer Starts Here celebratory day.

Plus with a cinema walk, music gigs, a new art gallery and studio space opening, and a latte making competition on offer, we’re spoilt for choice. Scroll below for details on all!

Don’t miss out - Kim xx

🛍️ Independent Broadstairs’ Summer Starts Here
Sat 27 Jun / Various places all over town
Show some local love! Celebrate beautiful Broadstairs and all of the wonderful independent shops we’re lucky enough to have here on a dedicated day celebrating them this Sat. There’s various rewards and offers dotted around the shops throughout the day, so it’s a great day to explore. Browse some of the offers available here, there’s everything from complimentary gift wrapping at Arrowsmiths to free scones, cream and jam at Flowers & Felicity’s, plus charm bag making at Kinder Collective and free Pimms and lemonade at Gallery@37. Plus many, many more. Every purchase, visit, recommendation and kind word helps support our local businesses, so if there’s any you’ve not been to for a while, this is a great day to do it.
Scroll for what’s happening here

🖼 Emma O Studio Soft Launch Opening Day
Sat 27 Jun, 11am - 4pm / Emma O Studio, 8 Nelson Place
Artist Emma O’Rourke is opening her brand new studio and project space from this Sat! Join her for her soft launch and celebrate the new gallery space at 8 Nelson Place, where Kinder Collective used to be. There will be drawing activities for adults and children and it’s free, but to keep an idea of numbers you can register below.
🎟️ Free / Register attendance here

🎭 Dead On Cue
Sat 27 Jun, 7.30pm / Sarah Thorne Theatre
A spooky thriller set in the same dressing room, during the same play, at the same theatre, but 60 years apart. What is the unearthly link between the two productions? How can the same things be happening to different people 60 years apart? What secrets have been buried in the old dressing room under the stage? All will be revealed at the show this Sat.
🎟️ From £19 + BF / Book here

🎬 Cinema Walk
Sun 28 Jun, 10.30am - 11.45am / Meeting point: Corner Victoria Parade / Queens Gardens
Join The Palace Cinema team for their third local Cinema Walk of the month. They’ve already taken in Ramsgate and Margate, now it’s Broadstairs’ turn to celebrate the town’s love for film. You’ll explore everywhere the town has shown films, from converted sheds to glorious picture palaces, as well as taking in local characters and social history and archive images.
🎟️ From £4 / Book here

Umibō Drinks Lab

🍵 New Opening: Umibō Drinks Lab
Umibō Drinks Lab
Have you checked out Umibō yet? They’ve only just opened their doors. A Japanese-inspired cafe with unbeatable sea views over Viking Bay, you can expect matcha lattes, speciality brews and artisanal gelato, plus more being added to the menu soon. You’ll recognise the owners Justin and Annita as they used to run The Funicular Coffeehouse. It’s just above Finxs and can be entered halfway down the main Viking Bay steps. Go say hi, try what’s on their menu and enjoy those beautiful sea views!
Give them a follow

🍷 New Opening: The Dog & Sparrow
Open Wed - Sun, various times / The Dog & Sparrow
Another new opening! There’s places popping up all over the place at the moment. The Dog & Sparrow is a small friendly bar in the heart of Broadstairs which opened up just last week. They’re serving up German & Belgium Beers, Wine and Charcuterie in their cosy space just opposite Sonder.
Give them a follow

🥪 New on the Menu: Sandwiches at Finxs
Open every day from 7am / Finxs
A great new addition to Finxs’ menu! Did you know they’re now serving up sandwiches? We’ve been loving their extensive drinks menu, cakes and pastries, but are very excited to see you can now also get sandwiches. They’re looking delicious too. All served between Staple Stores Foccacia bread, expect fillings like ‘The Pesto Bloom’ and ‘The Ricotta Rosso’. They flew out the door this weekend.
Give them a follow

🍔 Burger Club
Mon from 5pm / The Charles Dickens
A ‘proper’ burger, skin-on fries and a pint by the sea. Choose from the Dickens’ new weekly Burger Club menu, including favourites like The Viking, The Pig and The Harbour. Taking place every Mon evening from now on.
🎟️ £10 a burger / Book a table

☕ Latte Art Throwdown
Fri 26 Jun, 5pm - 8pm / Forts Broadstairs
Good at pouring coffee or like watching people pour coffee? This one’s for you! Join Forts at their recently relocated Broadstairs shop for a fun night of latte art, coffee chat and prizes. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or entering your first throwdown, it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow baristas, showcase your pouring skills, and enjoy a relaxed evening of friendly competition. 16 competitors will go head-to-head, pouring their best latte art in a knockout-format.
🎟️ £5 entry, Free to spectate / Enter here

💡 Big Liam’s Summer Quiz
Wed 24 Jun, 6.30pm arrival for a 7pm start / The Royston
It’s The Royston’s last quiz of the season. It's normally Chris's job to ask the difficult questions, but he's away this month so Big Liam has volunteered to fill his shoes. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis and bookings are now open to secure your place. Enjoy the last one before they take a break for the summer!
🎟️ £5pp, cash only / Pop in to book

🍹 Empower Her Summer Ball
Fri 26 Jun, 7pm / Smiths Townhouse
Introducing… The Empower Her Summer Ball. An evening of connection, celebration and community all in support of local charity Pilgrims Hospices. It will be an evening bringing together ambitious, inspiring women in business for a night of welcome drinks, canapés, live music and a charity raffle. Dress to impress… it’s formal attire.
🎟️ £40 / Book here

🎙️ Absolute Amy ft. Holly Cosgrove and Robin Banerjee
Fri 26 Jun, 8pm - 10pm / Pavilion
Head to the Pavilion on Friday for this Amy Winehouse tribute. The talented Holly Cosgrove pays tribute to the music of Winehouse alongside Amy’s original guitarist, Robin Banerjee, who toured with the superstar around her Back to Black era. Expect a journey through Amy’s catalogue, featuring fan favourites like Rehab, Valerie + more.
🎟️ From £20.21 / Book here

🏄 Kent Surf School Social Evening
Fri 26 Jun, 6pm - 9pm / Kent Surf School, Joss Bay
As a welcome to Kent Surf School’s brand new location at Joss Bay, they’re starting up some social evenings over the Summer, and the first one’s this Friday! Whether you’re an ex club member or just someone who would like to come down and either Surf or SUP or Swim with other people, this is a chance to do just that. Bring your own equipment or hire a board. Their coffee shop will be open, as will their evening sauna (sessions at £12 an hour). Hopefully the start of many!
🎟️ Free / More Info

🎛️ Ralphs Bar Courtyard Sessions: Joe Corbani & Guests
Sat 27 Jun, 5.30pm - 9.30pm / Outside Bar at Smiths Townhouse
Enjoy the lovely new courtyard bar at Smiths Townhouse with their latest Courtyard Session. Joe Corbani will be DJing, alongside some guests, while beers and cocktails will be served in the outdoor setting. Soak up the perfect summer evening.
More info

🎶 Bands on the Sands: Mixed Emotions
Sun 28 Jun, 3pm / Pavilion
You can’t beat some live music outside in the sunshine. Mixed Emotions will be the latest band to entertain the Pavilion’s outside stage this Sunday.
More info

📿 DIY Bag Charm Bar With Lenny & Loop
Sat 27 Jun, 10am - 2pm / Kinder Collective
As part of Independent Broadstairs’ Summer Starts Here, join Lenny & Loop for their pop-up DIY bag charm bar. No ticket required, just pop in to dive into their pick n mix bead table and pick your dream colour combo. The perfect summer accessory for all your bags, keys & purses. Make one with your name on it or any word of your choosing. I’ve seen them in person and can confirm these are super cute and a great activity for little ones!
🎟️ Charms from £15 / More info

🎪 Charity Summer Fete
Sat 27 Jun, 11am - 3pm / St Andrew’s Church, Reading Street
Head to St Andrew’s Church for a Summer Fete full of family-friendly activities and stalls, including diamond art, handmade soaps, handmade jewellery, a tombola, cake and book stalls, plants and homemade crafts. It’s all to help raise money for Kyla to travel to Tanzania for 4 weeks to help build safe spaces for children.
🎟️ Free / More info

🛹 Scorcha Saturdays
Sat 27 Jun, various slots between 11am - 2pm / Broadstairs Skatepark
You can’t beat a Scorcha Saturday! Check their insta for updates, as it’s all weather dependent, but if the sun’s out (which it looks like it will be!) they’ll be holding their well-loved skateboarding lessons for various ages outside below the train station.
🎟️ £9 / Book here

📚 Sunday Book Club: ‘Little Flow’
Sun 28 Jun, 8.30am - 9am / Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop
Join Nicci for this week’s Sunday Book Club celebrating ‘Little Flow’ by Katie Sahota and Christine Cuddihy, a wonderful for children aged 3 - 6. It’s a new rhyming celebration of everything ‘water’: the water cycle, its variety of uses, treatment processes and why it’s too important to waste, with a creative activity celebrating water as well. The book comes included in the ticket price!
🎟️ £5 per child (includes a paperback copy of the book, usually £7.99) / More info

🪷 Group Guided Meditation + Healing Session
Mon 22 Jun, 6.30pm / Smiths Townhouse
If your mind feels busy and your body feels tense, this is your sign to slow down. This immersive sound bath meditation is designed to calm your nervous system, release built-up stress and bring your body back into balance. You don’t need any experience just come as you are, lie back and allow yourself to fully switch off. An hour to reset.
🎟️ £30pp / DM to book

🧘‍♀️ Yoga
Every Sat, 9.45am + every Sun, 4pm / Sea, Spirit & Stones
Join Sari every weekend for restorative yoga sessions paired with soothing sound baths. The 60-minute experience begins with gentle stretching and mindful flow, transitioning into restorative poses, so you can move at your own pace. Ending with a relaxing sound bath, soothing shoulder presses + the calming aroma of essential oils.
More info

☪︎ Full card reading with Michelle
Wed - Sat, Various Times / White Room Meditation
Join Michelle for a full card reading in her lovely back room. A wide variety of cards and crystals are used to get you the clarity and focus you need. Various slots available throughout the week.
🎟️ 35 minutes, £42 / Book here

Finally, 3 Things To Know…

• Sad news for Broadstairs this week, Izzi at Plantlet has announced she has decided to close the shop. You only have until the end of July to go and enjoy her beautiful plant shop and snap up some plants before she closes the doors.

• Something is cooking in the back yard of Neptune’s Hall. And by that we mean Backyard Birds, their new rotisserie chicken offering coming to their courtyard very soon! Follow their new account for updates.

• Some more new food news… An NYC-style pizza place will be opening at the bottom of the high street, we believe in July. Base Pizzeria will be offering pizza by the slice. We can’t wait! Follow them here.

Thanks for reading! If you found this useful, please share it so we can continue to grow in Broadstairs and beyond!

And if you missed it… last week’s newsletter still has lots of things happening that you might want to know about.