Socialite Canterbury

from Christmas in Canterbury 2022 - MyCanterbury Guide

Siesta - 40 Years In The City

Canterbury has welcomed several fantastic new eateries in the last months. We visited three (in the name of research….) to share their stories with you…

Eat, drink and soak up the rooftop view!

Canterbury waited a very long time for the much-anticipated Socialite rooftop bar and restaurant to open, high up on the rooftop above the Hilton Hotel in St Margaret’s St. But it’s finally here – and we love it!

Diners can see far across the medieval rooftops to spectacular views of Canterbury Cathedral, The Marlowe Theatre and far beyond. At night it’s especially pretty, with the city lit up and twinkling as you dine. It’s an exceptional place for a sundowner, a cold glass of champagne, a celebration or a pre-theatre dinner.

Owner Adam Elliott and business partner (and Chef) Barry Vera met many years ago working in central London restaurants, where they sharpened their hospitality and events skills, and embraced the style of ‘all day dining’.

In May 2021, they opened their own venture in Brighton, called Socialite; a steak-led, affordable and sociable space. In early 22, Adam saw a promotion for the new space high above Canterbury’s Hampton by Hilton Hotel – and was intrigued. When the partners visited and met with the developer, they loved the space and decided to go for it.

Adam told us that “I wanted it to be both affordable and also sociable, so that people can come here, and perhaps have lunch, stay on afterwards and even end up having dinner here too. At weekends we have some form of light entertainment, from a DJ or sax player, to a singer or a 2-piece band. This is not just a bar - we want you to stay on and enjoy it… and if the weather is great, even move on to the terrace. Our age demographic is anything from 20 through to 80s!”

The restaurant floor is zoned, to allow different areas to deliver different experiences. There will be a private dining space with its own curtained off area and outside terrace, as well as a fabulous ‘Chef’s Table’ experience (for up to 8 people).

So, what can customers expect

from the Socialite experience? This is a steak-led restaurant, although there’s something for everyone here (vegans too). From small plates and nibbles served on the terrace right up a full-on 900g Tomahawk sharing steak experience, with seafood and charcuterie included for balance.

Adds Adam “What have that no one else has in Canterbury is that view, and that open terrace – you don’t always appreciate it until the city is lit up at night. We’re already planning for New Year – it’s going to be great. We have taken a slow approach to opening, and we have still only just opened fully. We are on a learning curve in these first few months, and we’re not some big London business, we live in Kent, so we want to settle in and get it right.”

Where else does Adam rate locally?

“We love El Sol, down near the Cathedral Gate – a wonderful tapas bar, great food and staff” If you’ve not yet visited Socialite, it’s a welcoming and exciting experience – the views are unrivalled, and the food is getting great feedback. Brunches are coming too – a great price point to come and try this beautiful new space.