Bar So

More like Bar So-​where-​is-​everyone?! Maybe it was just because it’s outside of term-​time for students, but this place was pretty dead on a Friday night! On the plus side it meant that our mixed group of 8 walked straight in and got some of the limited table space, but it did put us in that awkward place of not having enough people around to dance but the music being too loud to chat.
We left after one round of drinks — which I bought and remember thinking was pretty reasonable versus London prices. The friendly bartender was the saving grace of this place as you could tell he really knew his stuff. He knocked up a great Old Fashioned for my mate who was dithering over his drink choice, which wasn’t on the menu and made me wish I hadn’t been so quick to order my Vanilla Mojito (turned out a bit too sweet for my liking).
There was a certain novelty at partying in what is essentially a giant conservatory and I do like the centralised bar layout — but perhaps there’s a better vibe when it’s busier…

Bar So seems to be the spot to hit up on a Saturday night in these parts. Glitzy-​looking lounge with several bars and cozy corners to chill out. Around 10:30 (oh, sorry, I meant 22:30) the place started filling up with single blokes looking to get their groove on. If you’re a girl on the prowl, you’ll have your pick at this place. I think the name is short for «So? Am I gonna get shagged or what?»
We went here for a private party in the cozy bottom level, which you can apparently rent out for about £200 with a cash bar. It opens up into a lovely patio with heat lamps where the foolhardy can brave the cold. It’s probably packed in summertime.
Mixed drinks are served by the measure, as it is everywhere in England. (Another reason why I love living in the States: no jiggers when the alcohol is poured!) But prices are fair and they have specials on certain nights. Call ahead to find out since the website doesn’t give any info.

Bar So is very ‘bournemouth’, the drinks are pricey as are the clothes its customers wear and if you take a second to actually look around and assess the place you get hit in the face with the reality that it does nothing to earn the right to charge so much.
The only drink worth buying in the place is a cocktail because they’re pretty decent in here and wellyou’re gonna get ripped off on a cocktail wherever you go.

What do you call a bloke drinking by himself in Bar So…
…A Bar-​So-​Loner.
But why would you want to drink alone in such buzzing bar, visited once with a big group of friends, we’re not members the discerning Bournemouth bar goer crowd but having come down from town for the weekend we didn’t have any problems with the door-​staff unlike some other establishments in Bournemouth (who do they thing they were?) a good place to enjoy a few beers and some funky soul tunes.

This is the place to be in Bournemouth at the weekend. I love this place regardless of whether you need a few hours to wait at the bar or not. Somehow, it just seems worth it!
Beautiful surroundings, and in someways a very simple concept, but the right mix of music, headline dj’s and excellent service (when u get it) makes this venue worthwhile.
In the summer, the doors are flung open, the chairs and parasols are folded out and you can watch the world pass whilst sipping on a cool cocktail. dont choke too much on the fumes from the buses though, as this is one of the busiest bus routes through Bournemouth!
Right opposite the BIC, get yourself in there for a pre performance drink.

S-​l-​o-​w service at the bar both times I went here recently. The kind of slow that is completely unjustified and makes you want to storm out in protest even though it won’t change anything. The salsa and tango lessons are most excellent however and good fun. I haven’t been here on a weekend, but I presume it is packed full of 30-​somethings and House tunes. The flairing competitions they hold here are their biggest asset — well worth a trip! On an average night however, this bar has no more to offer than any other — just perhaps a lesson in patience and perseverance.