CORNWALL’S EMERGENCE as a tourist destination shifted the focus from its past in tin and copper mining to its beguiling coastline, fresh seafood scene and collection of entertainment options. And while England’s southwesternmost county may be all paintbox harbors and charming villages by day, the quaintness takes on a nighttime edge worth exploring.

Doom Bar beer from Sharp’s Brewery
PHOTO: © DENISMART – DREAMSTIME.COM

Cornwall is home to a selection of local beers and ales that consistently garner awards. Doom Bar from Sharp’s Brewery and Betty Stogs from Skinners in Truro are two of the best. St. Austell Brewery puts out its perennially popular Tribute Cornish Ale as well as the scandalous Rattlers Cider, a beverage earning notoriety for the shocking speed with which it affects its drinker.

Enjoy your drink like the locals, at one of Cornwall’s lovely historic pubs. The whitewashed Old Ferry Inn in the small village of Bodinnick and the Pandora Inn in Mylor were both built during the 13th century and offer plenty in the way of charm and atmosphere. Insiders looking for a more modern vibe can embrace the scene at LGBTQ+-friendly establishments known for good music, including Basement and Vertigo Truro.

Plan a night out in Penzance at the open-air Minack Theatre, a unique performance venue where live comedy, drama and everything in between takes place on a section of dramatic cliff. Tiered seating faces the sea and a rocky apron thrusting outward toward the churning waves.

The Hidden Hut at Porthcurnick Beach, located close to Portscatho and St. Mawes on the Roseland Peninsula, has long been a local magnet at lunchtime, but those in search of dinner can take part in a seasonal Feast Night. Each feast features a different dish; attendees purchase advance tickets and show up with their own plates, cutlery and wine to enjoy dinner alfresco.

For indoor seating, you can linger over dinner at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Port Isaac, where the team in the only Michelin double-starred kitchen in Cornwall does near-magical things with sustainable fish, shellfish and seaweed. There’s one set lunch and one set dinner menu offered; each is a multicourse affair with matching wine flights. The tiny seaside eatery offers fabulous views of the coastline, but reserve your table early.