Bar So occupies part of the Grade II listed Royal Exeter Hotel on Exeter Road and is among the more familiar names in Bournemouth's town-centre nightlife. Because it is spread over several floors, a quiet cocktail on the terrace and a heaving dancefloor can both be happening at once in the same building. As the evening moves on, the mood moves with it, from relaxed drinks to a full club atmosphere.
The drinks
The headline act is cocktails. Upstairs, the bar works through a long drinks list backed by premium spirits and champagne, and this is the floor designed for sipping rather than dancing. Downstairs the emphasis switches to bottle service and celebration packages, with VIP tables that really earn their keep for birthdays and large group nights. In the warmer months the upstairs bar has been known to offer food too, but the venue is about drinks and nights out first and a sit-down meal a distant second, so look at the website before you build plans around eating there.
The setting
What sets Bar So apart is the layout. Each floor has its own character: a brighter, more sociable cocktail bar above and a darker, club-style room below with a large dancefloor, where resident DJs work through house, R&B and party classics. A pair of outdoor terraces offer somewhere to sit in the afternoon sun or cool down between sets after dark. Once the DJs take charge, reactive lighting, a big sound system and VIP areas place it squarely in night-out territory, and dance classes midweek give the earlier part of the week a different feel.
Where it is
Bar So is on Exeter Road in central Bournemouth, within the central Town Centre and just a short walk from the seafront. With the Square, the Lower Gardens and the pier approach all close at hand, it slots easily into a longer evening in town. The address is properly central, so most town-centre hotels are within walking distance and you can end the night without a long trek back. The rest of our food and drink guide covers more places to eat and drink nearby.
Good to know
As an over-18s nightlife venue, Bar So is for couples, friends and groups wanting a lively night rather than for families. Opening is concentrated on weekend nights, and hours shift with the season and with events, so confirm the current times before heading out. If you are celebrating, arrange VIP tables and bottle-service packages in advance, and private hire is available for bigger occasions. Getting there is simple: it is within walking distance of the town centre and the seafront, the railway and bus stations are roughly 15 minutes on foot, and public car parks sit in the surrounding streets. Like any late venue it may apply the usual club entry and dress expectations, so check the website or contact Bar So directly for the latest information before you go.