The Juniper Lounge, Bournemouth

Previously Downes, this single room lounge bar has a tiled floor and large windows offering superb views of the roundabout and building site opposite. There is plenty of comfy seating, a whitewashed wall onto which live sport is projected, and an entrance to a subterranean Polish restaurant in one corner. The landlord took the time to introduce himself, as did the pub dog. The clientele was more mature than in many other local bars and the atmosphere was pleasant. They host occasional live music during normal times. There is a large selection of gins, as you would expect from the name, but no real ale – the best they could manage was Sharps Atlantic from keg at nearly £6 a pint. By no means the worst bar in this area.