The Commodore, Southbourne, Bournemouth

Official site of The Commodore - www.oldenglishinns.co.uk

Official site of The Commodore - www.oldenglishinns.co.uk

A seaside hotel on a commanding cliff top position, refurbished a few years ago and now consisting of hotel accommodation on the upper floors and a single large bar and dining room at road level. There is a limited car park, and a small outside area which falls short of earning the title of garden. The large feature windows provide very good views on a clear day, the panorama across Christchurch Bay extending from the Needles to Studland. The bar is rather uninspiring, just a few tables scattered around with the usual GK fabloned menus. A stream of middle-aged, beer bellied men of non-English origin drifted through, plus some lager swilling hen-pecked husbands. There were a couple of GK ales on draft, I had the IPA which was tolerable. Apart from the view and the B&B this one is fairly run-of-the-mill, and given the proximity of better beer and seaside cafes, this one is a rank outsider.

Cliff-top hotel bar, run by Greene King under its Old English Inns brand, probably having great views in good weather (but the August drizzle didn't allow me to verify this...). Inside, there is a 'L'-shaped lounge with reasonably modern furniture and decor. Three of four handpumps in operation, offering IPA, Old Speckled Hen and IPA Reserve (£3.29). Handy for the Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Railway and Southbourne Beach.