One of Folkestone Harbour Arm’s most popular venues has unveiled a new food and drink offering following a major refurbishment and change of operator.
The Board Room, the Harbour Arm’s established social gaming destination, has reopened with the launch of Hugo’s at The Board Room, a new gastro-gaming concept from hospitality duo Rob Porter and Emily Davies.
Named after the couple’s baby son, Hugo’s introduces a refreshed dining and drinks experience to the venue, complementing the competitive socialising offer that has made The Board Room a favourite with visitors since it first opened.
Porter and Davies are already familiar faces on the Harbour Arm, having founded Hatch Chicken at The Goods Yard. The pair bring a wealth of hospitality experience, with Rob previously running pubs in London for Kent brewer Shepherd Neame and Emily managing the historic Old Bank of England pub on Fleet Street.
After falling in love with Folkestone during a series of visits, they made the move from London and now call the town home.
At the heart of the relaunch is a new gastro-gaming menu designed to work equally well for diners, groups and players looking to refuel between rounds of darts and shuffleboard.
Small plates include Korean BBQ pork belly bites, hot honey halloumi fries, jackfruit bao buns, gyoza and breaded wings, while sharing boards are available in meat, fish, chicken and vegetarian options. Larger dishes include gourmet burgers served in locally made Docker buns, alongside mains such as sea bass and roasted sweet potato and chickpea Thai curry.
The venue’s refurbishment has also introduced a striking Art Deco-inspired bar, complete with decorative tiling, a timber bar top and statement mirrors, creating a more polished setting for dining and drinks.
Local produce features strongly throughout the drinks menu. Craft beers and lagers from Folkestone brewery Dockers sit alongside cocktails including the signature Hugo Spritz, wines, ciders and a range of alcohol-free options.
Visitors can enjoy the upgraded indoor dining space or take advantage of outdoor seating overlooking the English Channel, one of the Harbour Arm’s most impressive viewpoints.
“We’re excited to bring Hugo’s at The Board Room to Folkestone Harbour Arm,” says Rob Porter. “It’s a unique location with a great vibe and we can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors back to experience our premium gastro-gaming offer.”
While the food and drink offer may be new, the venue’s popular gaming attractions remain at its heart. The Board Room is home to three 18ft Canadian maple shuffleboards and four digital dartboards from Flyby Darts, offering a modern take on classic pub games.
Paulo Kingston-Correia, General Manager of Folkestone Harbour & Seafront Development Company, says the new partnership has helped unlock the venue’s full potential.
“Thanks to the introduction of Hugo’s and the refurbishment works we have carried out, The Board Room is now so much more than a competitive socialising space,” he says. “Alongside the gaming offer, visitors can now enjoy a wide-ranging bar, sharing boards and a full dining menu in one of the Harbour Arm’s most spectacular locations.”
The relaunch further strengthens Folkestone Harbour Arm’s reputation as one of Kent’s leading food and drink destinations. Celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2025, the Harbour Arm was recently named Food Destination of the Year 2026 at the Kent & Medway Food & Drink Awards.
For visitors seeking great food, local drinks and a side of friendly competition, Hugo’s at The Board Room offers a fresh reason to rediscover a Folkestone favourite.
