All Bar One Southampton

You might roll your eyes at another chain bar, but All Bar One's West Quay outpost genuinely delivers where others phone it in. Perched on level three of the shopping centre, it's got that airy, light-filled thing going on that makes you forget you're in retail land. The cocktail list runs deeper than your usual corporate offerings – their espresso martinis are properly made, not that syrupy nonsense you get elsewhere. The kitchen takes things seriously too, turning out decent burgers and sharing plates that won't leave you reaching for a Greggs afterwards. It's become the go-to for pre-theatre drinks before hitting the Mayflower, or when you need somewhere reliable that won't judge you for rolling up at 10am on a Saturday. Yes, it's a chain, but it's a chain that knows what it's doing.