Stag-Do City Guides: Bournemouth
This former kiss-me-quick seaside resort and favourite of the blue rinse brigade has undergone a makeover in recent years and is now considered by many to be the “Ibiza of the south coast”. OK, so that may be stretching things a tad, but Bournemouth does have seven miles of sandy beach and enough clubs to keep even the most party-loving of stags happy. Head for the city centre around Old Christchurch Road and St Peters Road and you won’t be short of a pint or two. The large local uni keeps things fresh and the beach pulls in the crowds in summer making for some interesting party nights once the sun goes down.
NIGHT CLUBS
Lava Ignite, 01202 311178, Bournemouth’s largest club with a diverse mix of music and space for 2300 revellers.
Typically ￡5-￡7, www.lavaignite.com/bournemouth
The Old Fire Station, 01202 963 889, Bournemouth Uni’s club has drinks at student-friendly prices for uni-goers and non-students alike, Typically ￡5-7
Bliss, 01202 318693, Large club with booth-packed bar area and downstairs dance floor playing the latest urban music. Free entry, www.bliss-bar.co.uk
Dusk Til Dawn, 01202 551 681, Two floors of alternative dance music and Bournemouth’s best quality sound system. Typically ￡3-￡6, www.dusktilldawnclub.com
DNA, 01202 319 362, Caribbean style nightclub with a fantastic assortment of drinks, including a top-notch rum selection, and banging R’n’B tunes. Free entry before midnight, www.dnabournemouth.co.uk
DECENT PLACES TO GET A BEER
Klute Lounge, Exeter Road, 01202 252511, Glamorous lounge bar with a laidback atmosphere and the best roof terrace in town. Dress to impress.
Bar Me, Old Christchurch Road, 01202 780260, Up-for-it party bar where anything goes and drinks promos rule. www.barmebournemouth.com
Goat & Tricycle, West Hill Road, 01202 314220, Traditional boozer with a well-kept selection of real ales.
Porterhouse, Poole Road, 01202 768586, Cosy, wood-panelled pub with bags of character and numerous ales, www.theporterhouse.com
The Orange Rooms, 01202 316664, Retro-inspired bar with a diverse music policy and one of the longest drinks menus in town, www.orangerooms.co.uk
Sixty Million Postcards, Exeter Road, 01202 292697, Quirky bar with a chilled eclectic vibe and alternative live music. www.sixtymillionpostcards.com
Hamptons, Old Christchurch Road, 01202 438001, Hip and vibrant bar with a lively party atmosphere.
The Shamrock Bar, St Michaels Road, 01202 297 084, Lively pub with a range of real ales. Also a great place to watch sports.
Litten Tree, Old Christchurch Road, 01202 438001, This friendly outgoing sports pub is a great place to kickstart your night.
Sharkeys. Old Christchurch Road, 01202 293431, Pool hall and bar with live football and decent pub grub
STRIP CLUBS
Spearmint Rhino, 01202 295300 Outpost of the most famous of strip clubs. Does special package deals for stags. ￡10, www.spearmintrhino.com
For Your Eyes Only, 01202 311108 Fully nude and topless dancers and continuous stage shows plus private dance booths and VIP suites. ￡5-￡10, www.fyeo.co.uk
Fantasy Palace, 01202 556 622 American-style lapdance venue with pour-your-own beer taps, ￡10
DECENT RESTAURANTS
Indian Ocean, West Cliff Road, 01202 311222. Contemporary curry house serving all the old favourites plus a few specials, indianoceanrestaurant.co.uk
Wagamama, Westover Road, 01202 296850, Branch of the popular Asian fusion chain. No need to book. www.wagamama.com
Dragon Inn, Wimborne Road, 01202 526118, Reasonably priced cosy Chinese restaurant which is accommodating to large groups.
Bedouin, Charminster Road, 01202 547777, Tunisian restaurant with large menu and a BYO alcohol policy. Lots of vegetarian options.
Ciao, Old Christchurch Road, 01202 555657, Hearty Italian fare at wallet-friendly prices served in stylish surrounds. www.ciaobournemouth.co.uk
LATE NIGHT FOOD PLACES
Mega Kebab House, Old Christchurch Road, 01202 789094, In the heart of the action this late night joint churns out both kebabs and pizza.
Kebab Junction, Alma Road, 01202 510011 Reportedly the best kebabs in town. There’s also pizza and fried chicken.
Munchies, Old Christchurch Road, 01202 558080, Popular takeaway ideally located for post-beer kebabs.
TRAVEL
Everything in the city centre is within walking distance and cabs can be found easily. Try 525 Taxis (01202 525525) if you can’t flag one down.
Tourist Information: 0845 051 1700, www.bournemouth.co.uk
Airport: 01202 364 000, www.bournemouthairport.com
Railway Station: 0845 712 5678, www.nationalrail.co.uk
ESSENTIAL TRIVIA
The first ever beach hut was invented here in 1908 and the city still rents out the oldest huts in the world.
In 1910 Charles Rolls (of Rolls Royce) was killed in a flying display in Bournemouth making him the first Briton to die in an air accident.
George Best played his last ever league game in Bournemouth, playing for the local side against Wigan Athletic in May 1983.
