Alt, Bournemouth

Originally The Great Western Hotel, then more recently Samson's Bar, now a music pub and nightclub. The single large bar is sparsely furnished, entered through a doorway which was initially hidden by an oversized smoker. There was no real ale available. Not wearing a baseball cap or ripped jeans, I didn't feel very comfortable here, so I doubt I'll be back.

A rock pub that somewhat surprisingly had no ale or proper cider. Missing a trick.

The Lion’s Head Pub is L shaped with a long bar stocked with standard draught to the right and two pool tables alongside table football to the left. There are plasma screens throughout and a muted rugby match was being shown via terrestrial television, but I didn’t spot any signs for Sky Sports. There is a jukebox that was playing some loud rock music and half of the handful of customers on Saturday afternoon were wearing Iron Maiden type tops along with chunky metal belts etc. There are lots of posters on the walls advertising live music which takes place in Sound Circus which shares the building. I was led to believe that there is collaboration between this pub and the venue next door. This is the closest pub to Bournemouth Railway Station and the only reason I would return is if I didn’t have time before catching a train to grab a quick pint elsewhere.