Whether you’re a student looking for the best deals, a cocktail lover or someone who simply loves a night out, Bournemouth has a thriving nightlife with plenty of options to choose from.

From cocktail bars to theatre cafes and more, there is enough choice for every partygoer.

Here are some of the highest-ranked clubs and bars in Bournemouth according to Tripadvisor reviews.

5 of the best bars in Bournemouth

Rubyz 

Hotel Celebrity, 47 Gervis Rd, Bournemouth BH1 3DD

Tripadvisor rating: 5/5 (from 354 reviews)

Ranking number one is award-winning Rubyz, a drag comedy club situated just off East Cliff.

The club prides itself on its website as ‘Bournemouth’s great little secret’.

It says it is the ‘perfect venue whatever the occasion’ and offers ‘the ideal night out in Bournemouth’, with a full cabaret show every Saturday.

One review said: “We loved this utterly brilliant hidden gem. The queens are phenomenal. We have now been twice and will gleefully return over and over again.

“We took family with us the second time and the show, yet again, was amazingly funny, clever and wonderfully tongue in cheek.”

Be At One Cocktail Bar 

3 Richmond Hill, Bournemouth BH2 6HE

TripAdvisor rating: 4.5 (from 337 reviews)

In second place there is Be At One Cocktail Bar in the heart of the town centre.

The bar, which has a happy hour every single day of the week, specialises in ‘great cocktails, served with a smile to a great soundtrack’.

One review said: “Awesome bar, staff very attentive and good listeners, would highly recommend to anyone for a night out.”

Sixty Million Postcards

19-21 Exeter Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5AF

Tripadvisor rating: 4/5 (from 525 reviews)

If you love American food, this is the place for you. At number three is Sixty Million Postcards. With a ‘quirky interior and a great atmosphere’, the American diner describes itself as ‘suitable for all occasions and times of day’.

One visitor said: “Great bar, fantastic service. Amazing vibe as soon as entering, and fantastic drinks and value for money.”

Smokin’ Aces 

103 Commercial Rd, Bournemouth BH2 5RT

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5 (from 226 reviews)

Ranking fourth is Smokin’ Aces, a cocktail bar and whiskey lounge. They pride themselves on their team of ‘skilled, award-winning bartenders’.

The bar was one of the first independent venues in years to re-invest in live music in Bournemouth, according to its website.

One review said: “If you are ever going out in Bournemouth, you MUST end your night at Smokin’ Aces. We booked a table as a group of hens, and from the minute we walked in we loved it.

“The vibe is perfect, the DJ was AMAZING (old school hip hop, some 90s throwbacks, queen, Prince) - we could not stop dancing all night and had the best night we’ve had in years.”

The Black Cherry – Theatre Café 

643 Christchurch Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4AP

Tripadvisor rating: 5/5 (from 61 reviews)

For theatre lovers, The Black Cherry Theatre Café in the heart of Boscombe has you covered.

According to their website, it has its ‘very own studio theatre’ which hosts a ‘variety of theatre, music and comedy performances as well as classes’.

One review said: “I have toured over a dozen different cafes in this area whilst staying with family and can safely and rightfully say this is the best of the best in my experience.

“I will not go anywhere else when I am here in the future.”