Aruba, Bournemouth

Aruba Bar and Restaurant is located at the start of Bournemouth pier and the fairly nondescript entrance was covered with scaffolding during my visit on Saturday afternoon making it even easier to miss. After scaling the stairs up to the bar area I was shocked at the vast size and the excellent views of the beach from the long balcony. The island bar in the centre of this barn like bar is surrounded with lots of standing room and there is seating around the walls. I didn’t spot any plasma screens or Sky Sports advertisements, but there was some dance music playing for the entertainment of the young crowd present. I didn’t see any hand pumps on the bar and the standard draught that I did see was all served in plastic glasses. There is a cocktail menu and the food starts at £10 for a main dish which seems expensive for what was available. The location of this place is fantastic, but I’m the wrong side of thirty to properly appreciate it on a Saturday. Maybe it is more sedate during the week when more people are eating than drinking.