The Anvil
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Quick info
About The Anvil
The Anvil is a pub in Bournemouth at 15 Holdenhurst Rd, run as a grassroots live music venue with a rock and alternative focus. Gigs take place in the downstairs cellar, a small room where the sound can get very loud, and some of them have free entry. The programme also includes an open mic night for anyone who wants to perform. Upstairs, a cocktail bar caters to late-night drinkers.
Good to know
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention open mic nights, live gigs, downstairs live music cellar and roast dinner.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention open mic nights, live gigs, downstairs live music cellar and roast dinner.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers come mainly for live music, with the Tuesday open mic night singled out most often as one of the best in Bournemouth, and weekend gigs close behind. Several mention bands playing downstairs in the cellar, and one praises a promoter for putting on shows. Beer and drinks are called good and not expensive, and the staff are repeatedly described as friendly and welcoming, with one reviewer noting a roast with a generous portion of good quality meat. The small space draws the main caveats. One reviewer finds the downstairs music loud enough to suggest bringing ear plugs, another says it is hard to hear the barstaff inside, and the seating is described as a tad uncomfortable. One also felt the drinks were poured small, despite the great prices. A reviewer who visited on a quiet Tuesday recalls guitarists playing one after another, with the staff filling the gaps with punk tracks between sets.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers come mainly for live music, with the Tuesday open mic night singled out most often as one of the best in Bournemouth, and weekend gigs close behind. Several mention bands playing downstairs in the cellar, and one praises a promoter for putting on shows. Beer and drinks are called good and not expensive, and the staff are repeatedly described as friendly and welcoming, with one reviewer noting a roast with a generous portion of good quality meat. The small space draws the main caveats. One reviewer finds the downstairs music loud enough to suggest bringing ear plugs, another says it is hard to hear the barstaff inside, and the seating is described as a tad uncomfortable. One also felt the drinks were poured small, despite the great prices. A reviewer who visited on a quiet Tuesday recalls guitarists playing one after another, with the staff filling the gaps with punk tracks between sets.
Featured reviews
- Guilherme Bernard Mahlmann
“Excellent rock bar, awesome shows and drinks are not expensive.”
- Mohit Sharma
“One of the few alt pubs in Bournemouth, and my favourite by far. They do open mics on Tuesday, and they tend to get really fun. Live gigs every weekend, sometimes they have free entry for these gigs so keep checking their website if you wanna see how it's like. It's a really small place, but the regukars and the staff are nice enough to make up for it.”
- Ivan Martín
“I visited on tuesday so it wasn't busy ,there were several dudes playing guitar live one after the other with some intervals were the staff played some cool music like lars frederiksen and the bast*rds ,beer price were ok too and good vibes from both staff and public, the sort of places i look for when im abroad.”
- Steve Taylor
“Great live music venue, good beers and great atmosphere.”
- Mark Shelley (Shells)
“Great place for a gig. Originality Live put on awesome shows”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Bournemouths premier grassroots Live music venue with a late night cocktail bar upstairs open every night!”
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Alcohol
- Casual
- Beer
- Dancing
- Restroom
Show more amenities
- Groups
- Offerings· 3
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
Location
Bars near The Anvil
- Bear's Bar & Venue4.71400 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
live music for local bands, cheap drinks, outdoor seating and stage
- Zephyr4.54060.1 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessible
wheel of misfortune, pool tables, nostalgia rock/metal night
- O'Neill's4.42,8940.1 mi£10–20ReservationsOutdoor seatingTakeout
breakfast baps, irish breakfast, live music and karaoke
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The AnvilWheelchair accessible | 4.4726 | — | £10–20 | open mic nights, live gigs, downstairs live music cellar |
| Bear's Bar & VenueWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7140 | 0 mi | £10–20 | live music for local bands, cheap drinks, outdoor seating and stage |
| ZephyrWheelchair accessible | 4.5406 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | wheel of misfortune, pool tables, nostalgia rock/metal night |
| O'Neill'sReservations · Outdoor seating · Takeout | 4.42,894 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | breakfast baps, irish breakfast, live music and karaoke |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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