Winter break for The Seafood Bar

The Seafood Bar on Rye’s Simmons Quay closes for the winter at the end of this month. Whilst the shop remains open, owners Keith and Louise Chapman have been looking back on 2025, and looking ahead to next year.

Louise Chapman thanked the bar’s customers. “They have been incredibly loyal and supported us all and welcomed us into the heart of the Rye community. I would also like to say a huge thank you to the Fish Union team, who joined us as a pop-up and enjoyed being in our town so much that they stayed for a residency.”

The Seafood Bar opened almost three years ago. According to Keith Chapman the inspiration came from a visit to a small shack cooking fish from the daily catch in a little fishing village in the south of Spain. “The tables were battered old barrels and there were only a couple of items on the menu – but the quality and freshness was incredible. The queues stretched out of the door and the thought of having something like that in Rye really excited us.”

The couple had been working with small local fishing fleet since 2012 so already knew Rye had an excellent availability of fresh fish and seafood. With the Rye Fish Market retail shop becoming more established, they had time to focus on a new project and The Seafood Bar seemed the obvious next step.

From the very beginning  Louise says the focus for The Seafood Bar has always been on keeping it simple. “We focus on delivering high quality, sustainable food. You may have to
sit on chairs that have seen better days, but you won’t find fresher fish and seafood
anywhere, cooked straight from our local boats. It’s not just the fish that’s local, the team use local bakers, game suppliers, fruit and vegetable merchants, local beers, wines and ciders.”

Three years on, the bar has become a fixture on Rye’s local food scene. Keith says he has been overwhelmed by the kindness and support they have received from the people in Rye and the visitors making the trip to the town. “Without you, none of this would have been possible.”

There is still time to visit before the winter break he says. “On October 31 from 5pm to 8pm The Rockitmen will be performing at The Seafood Bar at Rye Fish Market for the final evening of 2025. Join us for great music, food and drinks.”

The team plan on spending the winter sprucing up the Seafood Bar a little and an additional kitchen is being built to help the food reach the tables a little faster, says Louise. “We look forward to seeing everyone back at The Seafood Bar once again next year. We’ll be ready in time for the Scallop Festival in February 2026.”

Image Credits: Natasha Robinson , Chapman's of Rye .