Construction on Hastings Pier started on 18th December 1869. It was opened by the Earl of Granville, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports amid great ceremony on Monday, 5th August 1872, the country's first ever Bank Holiday. Designed by the famous engineer Eugenius Birch, at a cost of £23,250, the original pier was modelled on Brighton West Pier. Unlike Brighton, however, a very handsome oriental style pavilion, capable of seating 2000 people comfortably, was constructed at the seaward end. The pier was 910ft (275m) long and varied in width from 45ft (13.6m) to 190ft (57.5m). On the approach to the pavilion, a flight of steps either side of the building led down to the landing stages, each 200ft (60.6m) long by 8ft (2.4m) wide. In 1885 a further landing stage was built at a cost of £2,000.

During the early part of the 20th century, many small buildings were erected on Hastings Pier to house various leisure facilities. In 1910/1911 a shooting gallery and slot machines were installed, and in 1912 a rifle range and bowling alley were added. In 1913 the shoreward end of Hastings Pier, known as the 'parade extension', was sold to the local council to finance a new arcade, shops and tearooms. On 15th July 1917 the pavilion was destroyed by fire, eventually being replaced by a much less elaborate structure in 1922 often cruelly referred to by the townsfolk as an 'aircraft hanger'. A shoreward end pavilion was built in 1926, embellished by an art deco facade in the 1930s. During this period Hastings Pier provided much entertainment. There was dancing every night, daytime concerts, stunt diving, and speedboat trips out to the harbour and back. A searchlight was even fitted to Hastings Pier to provide adequate light for the youngsters who dared to go midnight swimming.

As with most piers Hastings was sectioned during the Second World War for fear of German invasion, cutting off the main pier structure from the shore promenade. Although suffering some bomb damage, Hastings Pier was reopened in 1946. In 1951 and 1956 the solariums were built, and in 1960 a Townsend hovercraft operated from the pier head. In 1966 the council constructed the 'Tridome' on the parade extension to celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. The parade extension and Tridome came back into the ownership of the pier company two years later in 1968. In the following year the Tridome was converted to an amusement arcade.

During the 1960s and 70s many famous rock and pop artists played at Hastings Pier. These included The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Hollies, Tom Jones, Pink Floyd, and Gary Glitter. A decline in the pier's fortunes was experienced during the last two decades, despite various owners trying to make it a viable concern. Rejected for millennium funding in 1996, Hastings Pier was subsequently put up for sale for £3.5m, and was closed to the public.

Although having been purchased by new owners for a short time, and once again providing activities with all-round appeal, Hastings Pier unfortunately now finds itself once again closed to the public.