Hidden seaside gem in Devon where indulgence meets versatility

Nestled at the bottom of Torquay’s marina, Below Decks is a hidden seaside gem where indulgence meets versatility. From romantic seafood dinners to live music nights and business networking, it offers diverse experiences for every visitor.

The bar and restaurant has benefited from a slew of massive investments in the last two years since Kevin Shadbolt and his family took over in June 2021. Last year Kevin had the wall knocked through into the adjoining unit meaning it can now seat 100 people comfortably.

A stunning glass box pagoda was built right on the harbourside after this for customers to sit year-round and enjoy locally caught seafood while watching harbour life float by. Now, after the half-million-pound makeover, Below Decks is one of Torquay’s most stunning venues and the Shadbolts are taking advantage of that.

Next weekend a free music festival is taking place at the venue with seven local bands and music acts performing on June 17 and 18.

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Kevin, who said he lives for live music, said: “The one thing I like about Torquay is we’ve got some great bands down here.”

Busta Groove, Schofield and Isabella Nutten are due to play on Saturday for two hours each between 2pm and 8pm. On Sunday Little Waves open the entertainment at 2pm, followed by Dan the Saxophone Man, Shauna and Yonder Folk with Jessy Plum from New Daze to close the festival.

Kevin said: “We’re hoping to get a good crowd and then make in an annual event, that’s the idea. Off Shore does one and that’s always good and next year I’ll get Bays Brewery and people like that more involved and get people to have their own stands. Sell a bit more beer and do a bit more marketing.”

He has arranged for some boats to be moved out of the harbour during the event and there will be a marquee in case it rains as well as an outdoor bar.

Below Decks is no stranger to live music. It hosts the locally known band Harbour every Wednesday as well as another live music night every Sunday too.

While the venue has tourists firmly in its sights, Kevin make sure to “take good care of” the locals of Torquay. He runs a VIP card system which is only available to locals.

“The main thing for me is looking after the locals,” Kevin said. He added: “I’d rather have 60% locals out there than I would 60% tourists because those locals will be coming back in the winter when I need help to survive, like everyone else.”

Locals can use the VIP card to get up to 15% off depending on how much money they spend at there. To maintain your discount there though you need to spend at least £50 a month, or it’ll drop down again. The VIP scheme now has more than 300 members which Kevin said works well for his business and the customers.

There is a sense of community which has developed around the place, Kevin said, with regulars like a local boat captain visiting often.

“They like to come and see their mates. Especially on sunny days. This evening, they’ll all be out there sitting on a table in the sun, having a beer and a chat talking about what they’ve done throughout the day or how they’ve been. There’s a little bit of a network thing going on here where we all know each other. Our manager Dave Worthington has been here 15 years and he’s a proper Torquayan, born and raised here. And if he doesn’t know them he’s related to them.”

On the subject of networking, some use Below Decks to forge business relationships, Kevin said. Now with a decent wifi system and USB ports added to the bar, it is a friendly place to have a coffee and do some work or meet a client.

Kevin said: “It’s just those little extra things we’ve added to try and encourage people to come and do a bit of business here.”

Behind all this work for the community is an ethos for locally sourced produce. Kevin prides himself on the very popular moules frites, available from the restaurant from lunch, as well as the seafood platter which comes from local suppliers like The Brixham Crab Company Ltd and Brixham Sea Farms Ltd.

The menu is split throughout the day between breakfast, lunch and dinner. At breakfast, a full English is available as well as other options like pancakes. From lunch light bites are on offer as well as a few mains like moules frites and the seafood platter. Dinner incorporates more mains which aren’t available throughout the day.

Below Decks has also found itself being a popular place for coffee as well. It offers fresh coffee made by barista-trained employees. Kevin said they buy their coffee from local supplier Dave Cartwright who has agreed they should be the only ones in the Bay to sell his Columbian brand.

“We wanted something unique”, Kevin said, “So this is our coffee.” Some days they end up selling as many as 800-900 coffees.

Though local produce is important to Below Decks, Kevin said it has been more difficult in recent times due to rising prices caused by the cost of living crisis. Kevin often price matches between different suppliers to make sure he gets a fair deal, he said, in order to not have to pass the cost onto customers.

One of the ways he has managed to keep up with rising costs is by slightly limiting portion sizes and increasing some prices to guarantee a stable income. He said in March alone beer went up by a staggering 33p per pint which he managed to negotiate down, but sadly the increase had to be added onto the price of a pint at the bar.

“We’re not the cheapest and we’re not the dearest. We just like to come in the middle somewhere and keep our head down. Don’t forget locals who have a 10% discount – they’re not paying £6 a pint, they’re paying £5.50 so that brings it back where it should be” Kevin said

The restaurant’s design itself has been carefully thought-out. Kevin described the place as “based on the theme Below Decks with its boaty coloured seating, wood veneer ceiling and even its lighting has original ship lights over 60 years old and taken from a ship’s engine room.”

There is also original painted artwork featuring the harbour and surrounding area by local artist Mark + Dots as well as a TV displaying tourist attractions and adverts for things to do.

The venue can be hired out for private functions too. It can be used for a range of events and Kevin said a wake was even being held there next week. Below Decks is also on Just Eat serving burgers and other menu items.

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