1812

Walk into the Royal Exeter and you're stepping into Bournemouth's architectural past—all high ceilings and period charm on Exeter Road. 1812 sits within this grand old building like it belongs there, and the cocktail programme is genuinely ambitious. You'll find yourself ordering drinks you've never heard of, made by people who know exactly what they're doing. It's the kind of place where you can ask for something specific and they'll nail it, rather than just throwing premium spirits at mixers. Expect to spend £12–16 per drink, which feels fair for the craft involved. The atmosphere sits somewhere between intimate neighbourhood bar and proper cocktail destination—busy enough to feel alive, relaxed enough that you're not performing for Instagram.