Royal Bath Hotel

You're stepping into a piece of Bournemouth history here – this Victorian grande dame has been holding court on Bath Road since the 1800s, and the bar carries all that weight. The setting is undeniably impressive, with those sweeping sea views across to the pier, but don't expect craft cocktails or artisanal anything. This is old-school hotel bar territory, where the G&Ts come strong and the service can be hit-and-miss depending on who's behind the bar. The real draw is that prime seafront position – you're literally metres from the beach and the buzz of the lower gardens. It's convenient if you're already staying or meeting someone in the area, and the 24-hour opening means it's one of the few places you can grab a proper drink at odd hours. Just manage your expectations on the drinks quality and prepare to pay tourist prices for the privilege of that postcard view.