Pubs & Bars

We are lucky in Bournemouth to have loads of nice pubs and bars to choose from.

When looking for somewhere to get a drink, you always want to find the best bars in town. With student bars, beach pubs, beer gardens, craft beer, gin bars, places for dancing, and of course, places to find classic pub food, you can be sure you’ll find somewhere in Bournemouth to get a drink and soak up the great atmosphere.

Town Centre

Bournemouth town centre is jam packed full of great pubs and bars. On a sunny day in the Square, you will see people enjoying the open space with a beer in hand, and a deeper dive will take you to nearby beer gardens and local pubs.

Towards the beach, either through the lower gardens or via Exeter Road, you can find more popular spots with great views and unique cocktail menus. There’s so much nearby that you will find the perfect spot for a drink in any direction.

Back into town, Bournemouth triangle contains its own rabble of pubs and bars with smaller venues often with live music and entertainment, specialist cocktail menus and restaurants with great food and drink.

Student Bars

Bournemouth is renowned for its great student culture, and on a night out, you can expect to see crowds head to either Old Christchurch Road or Lansdowne. Just a 10-minute walk from each other.

Old Christchurch Road is closer to the city centre with popular nightclubs and bars, while Lansdowne is closer to the student accommodation with more places to eat, drink, and be merry with larger venues for entertainment here too.

Boscombe

Just outside of Bournemouth, you will find Boscombe, with its quirky high street and stunning beach and pier.

Boscombe Beach contains some small collective of great beach pubs and bars ideal to soak up beautiful views of the sea. Perfect on a warm summer’s eve, although you will see these places are popular all year round.

Neighbouring areas

Further east of Boscombe, you will come to Southbourne Highstreet. What was once a residential area is now a bustling microcosm of independent retailers and nightlife. With great pubs on the Highstreet, unique and award-winning restaurants and bars, and on the clifftops some special pubs with nice beer gardens, it truly is a wonder to explore in and of itself.

The historic town of Christchurch is also only a step away, with its own nightlife culture, craft ales, gin bars, and even a brewery. Find out more about Christchurch pubs and bars here.

West of Bournemouth, you will find Westbourne, similar in ways to Southbourne with its gentrified high street, you can find some unique places to get a drink and enjoy the atmosphere.

Further down the road, you will stumble into Ashley Cross, with its terrific culture and finally, you'll make your way to Poole Town, which is not far down the road.

Find out more about Poole pubs and bars here.

With superb travel links and many spots with their own atmosphere, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are fun places to explore the many wonderful pubs and bars.