Best Places to Eat, Drink and Go Out in Bournemouth for Students

One of the best parts of starting university in a new town is gradually discovering the places that become your places.

In Bournemouth, that could mean pizza in Winton after lectures, drinks near Lansdowne, a Wednesday night at Barbara’s or somehow ending up at The Old Fire Station when you had originally planned to stay in.

Bournemouth's food and nightlife scene spreads across several areas, too. Lansdowne and the town centre are particularly convenient during first year, while Winton becomes increasingly useful once students move into shared houses closer to Talbot Campus.

Here are a few places worth adding to your student list.

7Bone Burger Co.

For burgers, loaded fries and the sort of food you want after a long week of lectures, “7Bone Burger Co.” is an easy town-centre option.

You will find it on Gervis Place, placing you close enough to Bournemouth's bars that dinner can easily become the beginning of a night out.

Forno Sourdough Pizza Bar

Students living around Winton should get to know “Forno Sourdough Pizza Bar”.

Located on Wimborne Road, it specialises in sourdough pizza and is a useful option when you want proper pizza without travelling all the way into Bournemouth town centre.

Winton has a large student population, so exploring the restaurants and cafés along Wimborne Road is well worth doing once you move beyond Freshers' Week.

Buffalo

“Buffalo” is one of those places that could comfortably sit in both the eating and drinking sections.

Found on Wimborne Road in the heart of Winton, the bar combines freshly cooked food with a large drinks selection, music and a relaxed atmosphere. Its own website describes it as being right in the heart of Bournemouth's student population.

Current offers include its Sunday burger deal, making it particularly worth checking when the student budget is looking slightly unhealthy.

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The Four Horsemen

If you fancy somewhere more independent, “The Four Horsemen” in The Triangle offers an alternative to Bournemouth's bigger mainstream bars.

The Triangle itself is worth exploring during your university years, with Visit Bournemouth highlighting the area for its independent bars and nightlife.

It is a good area for the nights when you want drinks without necessarily committing to a full club night.

The Anvil

For students whose music taste sits further towards rock and alternative music, “The Anvil” is another one to know.

Located on Holdenhurst Road close to the Lansdowne student area, it combines a pub, late-night venue and live music space.

Buffalo

If you are living around Winton, “Buffalo” is one of the student bars worth knowing early on.

Located on Wimborne Road close to Bournemouth University, it is specifically described as popular with both BU and AUB students. It runs student drink deals alongside DJs, live music, jam sessions and events throughout the week. 

It is particularly handy once you move into a shared house around Winton and want somewhere lively without heading all the way into town.

Dylan's Kitchen & Bar

For something much more relaxed, Dylan’s Kitchen & Bar is right on Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus.

BU describes it as a sociable bar where students can grab food and drinks, and it stays open late during term time with regular live music and quiz nights. 

It is a particularly useful option for an easy drink after lectures without needing to travel into Bournemouth town centre.

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Barbara's Bier Haus

“Barbara's Bier Haus” deserves a place near the top of the student nightlife list.

The après-ski-themed bar on Old Christchurch Road actively runs student events, DJs and drinks deals. Its current Wednesday Basecamp night is promoted as its official midweek student social, while students can sign up for a free Ski Pass giving access to student deals throughout term.

It also runs events throughout the week, including Tuesday's late-night Piste Take and Monday music bingo.

For a big group night out, this is likely to be one of the names you hear fairly quickly after arriving in Bournemouth.

The Old Fire Station

Then there is the Bournemouth University classic.

“The Old Fire Station”, on Holdenhurst Road, is operated by SUBU and functions as both a nightclub and live music venue.

Its location makes it particularly convenient for students living around Lansdowne, and its student events have made it one of the most recognisable parts of Bournemouth University nightlife.

For many students, at least one questionable decision involving The Old Fire Station is practically part of the Bournemouth university experience.

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The places you love during Freshers' Week probably will not be exactly the same ones you are visiting by final year.

First year is often dominated by Lansdowne, the town centre and wherever your entire flat happens to be heading that evening. Later, you might find yourself choosing pubs in Winton, independent bars around The Triangle or heading into Boscombe, Southbourne and Westbourne for food instead.

Bournemouth has everything from casual restaurants and traditional pubs to cocktail bars, live music and full student club nights.

So try a few different places before settling into the same routine.

After all, three years is far too long to spend ordering from the same takeaway and going to the same bar every single week.

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