Southsea Beach Café unveils what’s in store for its new home on Clarence Esplanade

Work is fully underway for Southsea Beach Cafe’s second venue on Clarence Esplanade.

Set to open in May 2026, the new Southsea Beach Café will take over the former site of The Beach Club (previously Mozzarella Joes), which closed in October 2024 following essential sea defence works.

The interior of the new cafe has been completely ripped out, with renovations fully underway.

Popular features will remain, including the much-loved team, dog-friendly touches, carefully curated food and drink and the overall spirit, with the outdoor wood-fired sauna also being introduced in the future.

Inside, the new café will offer significantly more seating than before, allowing more guests to visit and creating greater flexibility for events and private hire.

Southsea Beach Cafe plans to hold their most popular events on a more regular basis at the new venue, with monthly jazz and R&B nights.

The owners are committed to ensuring the new venue builds on everything that has made Southsea Beach Café such a much-loved destination.

The team also hopes to encourage Southsea’s swimmers to visit the new cafe by providing free shower facilities on the new and improved beach on Clarence Esplanade.

Guests can continue to enjoy hearty breakfasts, laid-back lunches and late afternoon cocktails, now served against panoramic views of the Solent with increased outdoor seating capacity.

Ian Clarke, co-founder of Southsea Beach Café said: “This is an exciting step forward for the whole team and one that allows us to take Southsea Beach Café to the next level. With the recent coastal improvements along Clarence Esplanade, the new location couldn’t be better positioned. It’s a fantastic spot, particularly for our guests who enjoy swimming, with the beach looking better than ever.

“Think relaxed, warm, friendly and organic – everything that people love about Southsea Beach Café, but elevated.”

The move represents Southsea Beach Cafe’s continued investment into the city and its community, with the team hopeful that the new venue will help drive tourism and strengthen Southsea’s reputation as a vibrant coastal destination.

For a transitional period, visitors will be able to enjoy both venues, before the original Eastney site closes at the end of the year.

The seafront will reopen following sea defence works in the second week of April, during which the team plans to open the new venue for takeaway coffees.