Slug & Lettuce is a busy, all-day cocktail bar in the heart of Bournemouth town centre — part of the long-running national chain, but very much geared to the seaside crowd that spills off the beach a few minutes down the hill. Set on Richmond Hill, just above The Square, it swaps quiet-pub restraint for something brighter and louder: generous cocktail menus, a food offer that runs from brunch through to the evening, and a diary packed with deals and events.
The food
The kitchen leans into crowd-pleasing, sharing-friendly plates rather than fine dining. Brunch is the standout — the reason a lot of people book — with dishes such as pancake stacks, quesadillas, flatbreads and brunch sandwiches, and it anchors the venue’s popular bottomless brunch. Beyond brunch you’ll find burgers, mains and small plates built for grazing alongside drinks. Vegan, vegetarian and non-gluten-containing options are flagged on the menu, though ranges change, so it’s worth checking the current menu on the restaurant’s website before you go. Reviewers are especially enthusiastic about the brunch and the cocktails; as with any high-volume kitchen, other dishes can be more variable, so it pays to order to the venue’s strengths.
Atmosphere
This is a social, upbeat room rather than a hushed dinner spot. Contemporary music, a lively bar and a real weekend nightlife energy make it a natural fit for hen parties, birthdays and big group catch-ups — the sort of place where the cocktails arrive with a bit of theatre. Deals are central to the pitch: 2-for-1 cocktails, regular happy-hour offers and themed bottomless brunches all feature, while DJs and events keep later evenings buzzing, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’re after a calm, quiet meal it can feel loud at peak times, but for a celebration or a pre-night-out base it hits the mark.
Where it is
You’ll find Slug & Lettuce at 12 Richmond Hill, just off The Square and moments from the Lower Gardens, the pier and the seafront — an easy stroll down to the sand. Its central position makes it handy for the shops, the BIC and the town’s other bars, so it slots neatly into a day or a night out. Note that there’s a second Slug & Lettuce nearby on Old Christchurch Road, so double-check which branch you’re booking. For more places to eat and drink close by, browse our food & drink guide.
Good to know
Walk-ins are welcome, but bottomless brunch and busy weekends are best booked ahead — bottomless brunch typically needs a minimum of two guests. There’s a beer garden with outdoor seating, HD screens for the sport and a dog-friendly policy, with some restrictions at the busiest times. The bar doesn’t have its own car park, so you’ll be relying on the town-centre public car parks nearby. Opening hours, menus and the latest deals change regularly, so check the restaurant’s website before setting out — and if you’re planning a group booking, get in touch with the venue directly.