The Brasshouse, Bournemouth

A frontage which looks like an amusement arcade leads to a cavernous, low-ceilinged hall which has its origins in the Edwardian period and has since been used as a dance hall, cinema and restaurant. It is now a large single roomed pub with dining areas, an area containing amusement arcade games and a spacious carpeted vertical drinking area. There are various gaming machines and cash dispensers, two enormous screens and several TVs showing live sports and a table football table in its own space. The exact bounds of the original building have been obscured by a century’s developments and extensions, but the occasional original architectural feature can be seen if you look hard enough – for instance the chimney breast in the central pillar. The food, offered at a discounted price to members of HM Forces, is ‘Spoons-like but maybe not as good, while the beer was a bit more encouraging. There was a real cider alongside Doombar, Tribute and GK IPA on draft, all in good condition and enthusiastically served by the pleasant young staff and quite cheap for the area. This pub isn’t particularly special, but it gives the nearby JDW a good run for its money, and I’d be happy to drop in here and hide while the wife shops in the nearby high street.