Tucked into the Grade II listed Royal Exeter Hotel on Exeter Road, Bar So is one of the town centre's better-known late-night spots. It spreads across several levels, so a quiet cocktail on the terrace and a packed dancefloor can happen under the same roof. The mood shifts as the night goes on, from relaxed drinks to a proper club atmosphere.
The drinks
Cocktails are the headline here. The upstairs bar mixes a long list of drinks alongside premium spirits and champagne, and it is the part of the venue built for sipping rather than dancing. Head downstairs and the focus turns to bottle service and celebration packages, with VIP tables that come into their own for birthdays and big group nights. During the warmer months the upstairs bar has been known to serve food as well, though the venue is first and foremost about drinks and nights out rather than a sit-down meal, so check the website before you plan around it.
The setting
The layout is what makes Bar So stand out. Expect distinct spaces on different floors: a lighter, more sociable cocktail bar upstairs and a darker, club-style room below with a large dancefloor and resident DJs working through house, R&B and party classics. Two outdoor terraces give you somewhere to catch the sun in the afternoon or cool off between sets in the evening. Reactive lighting, big sound and VIP areas push it firmly into night-out territory once the DJs take over, and midweek dance classes add a different flavour earlier in the week.
Where it is
You will find Bar So on Exeter Road in central Bournemouth, part of the central Town Centre and only a short stroll from the seafront. The Square, the Lower Gardens and the pier approach are all close by, which makes it easy to fold into a wider evening in town. It is a genuinely central address, so you can arrive on foot from most of the town-centre hotels and finish the night without a long walk home. For more places to eat and drink nearby, browse the rest of our food and drink guide.
Good to know
Bar So is an over-18s nightlife venue, so it suits couples, friends and groups after a lively night rather than families. Opening tends to centre on weekend nights, and hours can change with the season and with events, so confirm current times before you set out. VIP tables and bottle-service packages are worth arranging ahead if you are celebrating, and private hire is available for larger occasions. Getting there is straightforward: it is walkable from the town centre and seafront, the railway and bus stations are around 15 minutes away on foot, and there are public car parks in the surrounding streets. As with any late venue, standard club entry and dress expectations may apply, so check the website or contact Bar So directly for the latest details before you go.