User name:

Password:

Login


Sign in with Facebook


Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW


Chat about:
Cambridge PuG Crawl, Friday 5th April 2024 with Gann on the Pub Forum

Drift, Poole

Pub added by E TA
9 The Quay
Poole
BH15 1BW

Return to pub summary

Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Pub SignMan left this review about Drift Micro Bar

With a perfect quayside location, this is a relatively new micro pub set in a small lobby type area that leads you into a neighbouring, first floor Italian restaurant. The bar is particularly small, with the servery running the length of the front wall and the remaining space having enough room for just three tables, two of which have been inventively created by chopping up an old surfboard (this makes for an uneven surface upon which to place a pint glass, so be careful not to plonk your booze down too near to the edge). The floor is tiled and includes a mosaic section advertising the aforementioned restaurant, prompting you towards the staircase opposite. Seating is limited to a few rickety bar stools along the driftwood bar counter and around the tables, the third of which is also made from a bit of driftwood. The word 'Drift' has been carved into some nice bits of wood on the back wall and embellished with little decorative bits. Blackboards on the right hand wall list all of the ales, keg beers, bottles and ciders available, whilst the left hand wall has been covered with a large collection of pump clips. The stairs to the restaurant first bring you into a gin lounge where you can find some comfy sofas and another blackboard listing all of the gin brands available. The servery is on the rear wall and the best spot to nab a seat is to the front where you can get a view out across the Quay.
There were three cask ales on when we visited on a wet and windy afternoon in late December - Waen Tadley Angler, Oakham Green Devil IPA and Tapstone Ninja Stout. Three 'craft' keg beers and three real ciders rounded out the draught options and there was an interesting range of bottled beers in the fridges. I'd not encountered the Tapstone Brewery before, so decided to try the Ninja Stout and thought it was a great beer kept in excellent condition - a very satisfying final pint of 2015 as it turned out. The barman was very friendly and I can imagine this being a convivial spot when there are a few more people in.
I really liked this place and thought it was a shot in the arm for the rather stilted Poole Quay pub scene. I think it is quite brave to try a venture like this in an area with plenty of existing pubs, but it offers something different and deserves to be a success. I'll definitely be drifting this way the next time I'm back in town.

On 20th January 2016 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3102 recommendations about 3102 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about Drift Micro Bar

This unlikely cultural clash between trendy quayside bar and ale-centric micro pub shouldn't work, but it really does. The bar is owned by the Italian restaurant next door (where, incidentally, you have to go if you wish to use a lavatory) but has a totally different feel to it. It is a true micro, the tiny single bar being quaint and minimally decorated, while it is, thankfully, completely devoid of megakeg beers. 'Micro' also referred to the quantity of peanuts for the price paid, but that is an aside. While we were waiting to be served, two couples walked in and straight out again, obviously intimidated by the décor and lack of comfy chairs. Of the three tables, all that there is room for, two are made from recycled surfboards. One wall is exposed brickwork and includes an 18th Century fireplace. Half the floor is modern, the other half uses well-used Victorian floor tiles. Opposite is a wall that looks like someone has vomitted paint over it and tried to hide it with a large TV screen, while the bar counter and other fittings are made from driftwood. The barman was very welcoming, passionate about his vocation and quite knowledgeable. There were two real lagers and three ales on, all from Bournemouth Brewing Company, and all in excellent condition. The house beer, Drifter Bitter, tasted suspiciously like the Wobble, but it was thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless. I shall most certainly coming back, and I think this is a definite for a town crawl.

On 7th April 2015 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Drift Micro Bar

'Micro bar' housed in part of a converted warehouse, featuring a tiny counter and just three tables (one formed out of half a surfboard). Three real ales on gravity - the 'house' Drifter, Tatnam Glory and Poole Porter (£1.60, half) - plus two keg taps offering Bournemouth Lager and Strongbow. Only had time for the briefest of visits, but this is a welcome addition to the quayside scene.

On 25th August 2014 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8061 recommendations about 8061 pubs]