The Blue Boar, Poole

This busy GBG regular just off the Town centre is currently owned by Fullers. The splendid Georgian building, a former merchant's house dating from the mid 18th Century, has an interesting vaulted cellar, which is used as a secondary bar and function room and may be much older the main part of the house. There is an additional function room on the first floor. The large main bar is serpentine due to knocking through the downstairs rooms. There is a welcoming atmosphere, although the staff were a little frosty and brusque. The locals, however, were engaging and friendly. There are tv screens over the fireplaces at both ends, on this occasion showing rugby, a very nice change from the soccer matches so frequently found in other nearby pubs. Free WiFi is available. There is also a coffee machine behind the bar for those who prefer caffeine to alcohol. There are various bits of bric-a-brac dotted around the walls and ceiling, some of it with a military flavour including a collection of military hats and a Bren gun. There are also various boar-associated bits and pieces including a stuffed boar's head and boar motifs in the fireplace friezes. There were 4 ales on, all from Fullers: I had Traitor's Gate, a new one on me, which was a really good pint served at the right temperature. One of Poole's better town centre pubs, a must for a town crawl and one to which I am sure I shall return.

Warm and homely Fullers outlet over three rooms in the historic backstreets of Poole. As noted below, space is at a premium so it’s not really suitable for larger groups and it was pretty busy on our evening visit - one way to get to know the locals I guess. Quirky décor includes lots of armed forces memorabilia - berets above the bar, framed guns, military crests. Also of note is the marble surround fireplace replete with boars head, though sadly the log fire was not lit on a chilly evening which would have rounded off the visit nicely. Four pumps; ESB, Pride, Seafarers and Gales Fire Catcher (which was in good nick). I liked this one and it’s certainly worth putting on the Poole ‘A list’ of pubs.