Since 1654
The oldest bar
in the borough
The Plough has stood on London Road since 1654 — a good two hundred years before Westcliff was Westcliff. It began as a meeting place for the farmers, merchants and clergy working this stretch of the Essex road, and it has been a local ever since.
These days it is a big, warm, unpretentious community pub in the middle of town, right next door to the Palace Theatre. Three separate rooms mean you can pick the corner that suits the night: the Main Bar for the match and the noise, the Lounge Bar when you want to hear yourself think, and the Games Room for darts, pool and a bit of needle. Out the back there is a decked garden with picnic benches, for when Essex remembers it has a summer.
Sharp's Doom Bar sits on the cask pump, the quiz runs on a Wednesday and the karaoke on a Friday. The kitchen — D'Steakhouse — puts out a proper roast on Sundays. And on Friday and Saturday we are still serving at 1am, which makes us the latest licence in Westcliff.
- 1654Year we opened
- 4Rooms to drink in
- 1amLast orders, Fri & Sat
Find your corner
Four rooms, one pub
The Plough is a good deal bigger inside than it looks from London Road. Pick the room that matches the night you are after.
Main Bar
The heart of it. Long bar, big screens and the loudest cheer in Westcliff when Southend score. This is where the karaoke lives on a Friday night.
Lounge Bar
A calmer room with its own bar, for when you want a conversation rather than a commentary. Food from the kitchen lands here, and it is the right room for a Sunday afternoon.
Games Room
Dartboard, pool table and enough space to play properly. Separate enough from the bar that nobody walks through your throw.
The Garden
Decked, shaded and out the back — picnic benches, parasols and the only part of the pub where the sun gets a look in. Smokers welcome.
On the bar
- Sharp's Doom Bar
- Stella Artois
- Fosters
- Kopparberg
Cask ale, the full spirit range, cocktails and a rotating fridge. Happy hour 5–7pm, Monday to Friday.
The wall
A few nights in
Bands, birthdays, the garden in summer and the regulars who make the place.
Word of mouth
What the locals say
“Friendly staff, great atmosphere and fantastic food.”
“Fantastic Irish bands on a Sunday evening.”
“Proper pub. Decent beer, friendly staff and good value.”
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