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Food & Drink Pubs Venue hire

Pubs

There’s a great range of pubs in Swanage, from gastropubs to go-to music venues, and from your traditional log fires and wooden beams for that cosy atmosphere to waterfront bars with stunning sea views.

Most pubs in Swanage are child and dog-friendly, so you can take the whole family out for lunch or dinner, but you’ll also find some more ‘grown-up’ venues for those evenings you want to sit and listen to a live band, play some pool, or sit and watch the sunset over Swanage Bay with a glass of wine.

The Ship Inn

A fun, relaxed vibe with a modern feel and a vibrant menu

The Ship is known in Swanage for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and boasts a central location in the heart of town.

Outside of The Ship Inn in Swanage
The Ship Inn

Situated right opposite two popular fish and chip shops, Dino’s pizza & churro takeaway, and the Swanage Museum, the Ship Inn is also just a stone throw from Swanage Bay and beach.

Sit inside the main bar, in the snug area, or outside at the Ship’s street-side tables, where you can grab a pub lunch and people-watch whilst catching glimpses of the sun on the sea and hills opposite.

For lunch or dinner, choose from sharing platters, a gourmet dog, burger & loaded fries, and a range of wraps & sandwiches. There’s a kids’ menu too, with all the classic favourites.

Check the latest updates and events on The Ship Inn’s Facebook page or call to book a table

The Cellar Bar

A drink with a seafront view and comfy lounge seating

Right on the seafront, the Cellar Bar is the perfect spot to watch the waves roll in across the bay with a G&T or a glass of wine.

Seating outside the Cellar Bar in Swanage
The Cellar Bar

With tables outside overlooking the sea and Swanage Beach, and comfy sofas inside, the Cellar Bar is a great alternative to the usual nightlife options. It also makes for a good family-friendly daytime place to chill out and have a drink before moving on to the next adventure, and as it’s right beneath The Mowlem, it’s also the place to go for a pre-performance drink.

The Cellar Bar is a drinks-only establishment, making it a great place to meet friends before a meal or for a digestif afterwards as you watch the sun go down over the sea.

🐾 Dogs are allowed in the outside area only

  • 📍 2 Mowlem Lane, Swanage BH19 1DD
  • Open from 11am – 11pm daily

The Black Swan

A traditional pub with great food, log fires and a patio garden

The Black Swan is just as popular with locals as well as visitors and its friendly staff go the extra mile to make sure you’re comfortable and happy with your food and drink.

The Black Swan pub on High Street, Swanage
Black Swan Inn

The menu is interesting and varied and you’ll find a range of local and craft ciders, ales and beers on offer.

There are two main rooms in this Grade II-listed pub, both with lovely log fires in the winter, and the short walk from its location on High Street through the grounds of St Mary’s Church, near to the old mill pond, is a picturesque way to reach the main town and beach.

🐾 Dog-friendly

Book a table by calling

  • 📞  01929 423846
  • 📍 159 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NE

The White Swan

Lively music venue serving good pub grub, close to the beach

This popular little pub in the heart of town serves good pub grub and is a regular venue for live bands with a buzzy atmosphere.

Flowers outside the White Swan pub, High Street, Swanage
White Swan

The White Swan also hosts fun family quiz and karaoke nights – keep an eye on their Facebook page for what’s on and when: www.facebook.com/whiteswanswanage/about/ 

🐾 Dog-friendly

Contact details

  • 📞 01929 423804
  • 📍 31 The Square, High St, BH19 2LJ

The Crow’s Nest Inn

Family-run pub with beer garden a short walk from the beach

The Crow’s Nest can be found at the ‘other’ end of Swanage, close to Ocean Bay Watersports and the town’s two clifftop hotels: The Grand and The Pines.

Outside the Crows' Nest Inn on Seaward Road in Swanage
The Crow’s Nest

The restaurant area also doubles as a function room and the pub is popular for catering for events such as birthdays and christenings.

The Crow’s Nest has a good-sized beer garden, with children’s play equipment and (for big kids, too) a retro ’80s gaming table inside.

🐾 Dog-friendly

Get in touch to book a table or enquire about venue-hire

  • 📍 11 Ulwell Rd, Swanage BH19 1LE
  • 📞 01929 422651

The Anchor Inn

A recently-refurbished, family-run pub in the heart of Swanage

The Anchor’s bar and restaurant is housed in the pubs’ 400-year-old building, which has been given a fresh, bright yet cosy look, and good food is served by friendly staff.

Red phone boxes outside the Anchor Inn in Swanage
The Anchor Inn

The pub hosts regular live bands, and is a great venue with a friendly vibe during the bi-annual Swanage Blues Festival.

You’ll be right in the thick of the action at the Anchor, with shops, cafés and restaurants lining the street and the beach being just a couple of minute’s walk away.

🐾 Dog-friendly

Contact details

  • 📍 30-32 High St, Swanage BH19 2NU
  • 📞 01929 792669
  • 📥 theanchorinnswanage@gmail.com

Tawny’s Wine Bar

Tasty food and great range of wine, with a relaxed, eclectic feel

White metal tables & chairs on the street outside Tawny's wine bar in Swanage
Tawny’s

Tawny’s is something of a hidden gem in Swanage, set slightly back from the main stretch of town, but its commitment to great food, local ingredients and good old-fashioned service means it’s been a firm favourite with locals and returning visitors for many years.

It has a laid-back atmosphere and cosy ambiance and, whilst it does cater largely for diners, you’re equally welcome to pop in for drinks and to sample the selection of wine on offer.

Keep an eye out for Tawny’s retro vinyl nights, too (typically the first Saturday of the month). See this unassuming wine bar transformed into a friendly dance floor with the house DJ playing ’70s club tracks and groovy soul classics amid a backdrop of psychedelic disco lights.

Pop in or call to book a table

  • ℹ️ tawnys-winebar.co.uk
  • 📍 52 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NX
  • 📞 01929 422781

The Red Lion

A family-run pub with beer garden & pool table in the centre of town

The Red Lion holds popular curry and steak nights as well as pub quizzes.

Frontage of Swanage's Red Lion pub
The Red Lion

There’s plenty of seating inside and a beer garden to the rear and the pub has a cosy, traditional feel with a welcoming atmosphere.

Find out more on our Red Lion page, or check out the Red Lion’s extensive menu on its website and to find out what’s on this week.

Contact details

East Bar

A youthful vibe and great for watching sports & playing pool

With its spacious bar, pool table, cosy sofa areas and playing current music, East Bar is a lively venue with a youthful vibe at the southern end of town, close to Gee Whites and the Pier Head Restaurant.

Front entrance of East Bar in Swanage
East Bar

It has the unique feature of a fish tank in the floor by the bar and the bar often hosts DJs for its ‘pre-club party’.

There’s also a small amount of outdoor patio seating with views of the sea and bay, which can be a lovely sun trap on a summer’s evening.

Get in touch with East Bar or check their Facebook page for the latest happy hour discounts

ℹ️ www.facebook.com/East-Bar-Swanage

📞 01929 424777

Snack Bar

The best place for cocktails in Swanage

Sign for takeaway cocktails at Snack Bar on High Street in Swanage
Snack Bar also serves takeaway cocktails

Swanage’s famous cocktail bar is reminiscent of a London pop-up due to its small-but-perfectly-formed size and excellent menu of skilfully-made cocktails.

Snack Bar’s doors are always open, so you can spill out onto the street and get your evening started in style with their classic mojito with a twist, fruity Pina colada, or locally-inspired creation.

It’s also a favourite stop-off after a meal out or drinks in town before heading on to The Club, which is just across the street.

You’ll find Snack Bar on High Street, next door to la Trattoria restaurant and opposite the White Horse pub. It’s just a stone’s throw from the beach, too.

White Horse Inn

A classic pub with good pub grub just a stone’s throw from the sea

Hanging baskets outside the White Horse pub in Swanage
The White Horse

The White Horse often has live music, so keep an eye out for which band is playing. It’s also a good place to watch the game with BT & Sky Sports being shown on the pub’s big screens.

You can also stay at the White Horse, in one of its six en suite rooms. Breakfast is included. For B&B accommodation information and booking visit the White Horse’s website: www.thewhitehorseinnswanage.com/accomodation.html 

🐾 Dog-friendly

Get in touch with The White Horse

  • 📞 01929 422469
  • 📍 11 High St, Swanage (Postcode: BH19 2LP)

The Globe Inn

A traditional pub & beer garden with a local feel

The Globe is a traditional pub with a spacious beer garden, live sports and good pub grub, including wood-fired pizzas with visiting pizza van Coastal Crust every Thursday in spring/summer.

Front view of The Globe pub on Bell Street in Swanage
The Globe

If you’re a sports fan there’s live sport shown here as well as a pool table and darts board.

There’s also access to dog walks from the pub and great views of the Purbeck Hills from outside. The garden has a gazebo, so you can still make the most of the sitting outdoors come rain or shine.

If you’re staying at Swanage Coastal Park or Swanage Bay View Holiday Park, it’s a pleasant stroll down the hill to The Globe, with Bell Street itself being particularly picturesque.

You’ll spot The Globe as you’re driving in to town, just opposite the Golden Bengal and near to Harlees fish & chip shop.

🐾 Dog-friendly

Contact details

  • 📞 01929 423515
  • 📍3 Bell Street (postcode BH19 2RY)

Swanage Royal British Legion

A social club for Swanage at the heart of the community

RBL Swanage welcomes both members and non-members to its social club on High Street. The Club serves food daily, has a good selection of real ale and offers regular entertainment, including live bands, which typically play on a Saturday evening and Sunday afternoons.

The Swanage Legion also has Sky & BT Sports subscriptions, so you can watch the match with a beer in hand in a friendly atmosphere. There’s also regular quiz nights, a poker league, bingo and darts evenings.

The Legion is open from 2pm – 11pm on weekdays and 12pm – 11pm on Saturdays and 12pm – 10.30pm on Sundays.

There’s also a bookable function room for up to 60 people. Hire costs are £20 for members and £50 for non-members and catering can also be added for your event.

To book the Purbeck Function Room or check the club’s latest events visit their website

Swanage Conservative Club

Social club running regular events with large function room for hire located right by the bus and train station

Swanage Con Club is a members-only social club, bar and restaurant serving a daily lunch and dinner menu, with a reduced menu in between. It hosts regular entertainment evenings including quiz nights and live bands, and also shows sporting events.

Outside Swanage Con Club
Swanage Conservative Club

In addition, the Con Club boasts a snooker room with two full-size tables and a large function room, which is available to non-members to hire out for private parties and events.

The club’s been going strong in various guises since its inception in 1885 – to become a member visit the Swanage Conservative Club’s website or give them a call (visitors can apply for a temporary membership for their stay in Swanage.)

Get in touch for membership and venue-hire information

The Village Inn

Handy for a quick pint or bite to eat after exploring the Purbeck Ridgeway

The Village Inn pub and parking area at Ulwell Holiday Park
The Village Inn, Ulwell

The village Inn is located in the popular Ulwell Holiday Park at the northern end of Swanage, but is also open to the general public at all times.

It’s proximity to the Purbeck Hills means it’s a convenient place for a quick bite to eat or a restorative drink exploring the ridgeway  – there’s a quick route up the hill across the road from the pub, which leads to one of Swanage’s Victorian monuments, the obelisk.

Interestingly, some of the pub’s decor, such as some porthole mirrors and windows were salvaged from a shipwreck in Swanage Bay. There’s a children’s menu and outdoor playground nearby. If you’re local and your children have swimming lessons at Ulwell it can be a handy spot for parents to grab a drink while you wait for them.

🐾 Dog-friendly

The Village Inn can also be hired for private functions – get in touch to enquire about booking:

  • 📥 enq@ulwellcottagepark.co.uk
  • 📞 01929 427644
  • 📍 Ulwell Holiday Park, Swanage BH19 3DG

The Royal Oak

Victorian tearooms and private-hire for functions

The Royal Oak is currently being run as a tearoom and garden, offering afternoon teas.

Front of the Royal Oak pub on the way in to Swanage
The Royal Oak

You can also hire the pub or garden as a function room for private parties, such as christenings, birthdays and special occasions.

Current opening hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.30pm (last orders at 4pm).

To get find out more visit the Royal Oak’s Facebook page, or to book a high tea or function room call Rachael:

The Club

Late-night bar & club in the heart of Swanage town

Swanage’s one-and-only nightclub is the place to go after an evening out in Swanage to dance the rest of the night away.

Outside Swanage's nightclub on High Street
The Club

With regular resident DJs and summer daytime sessions, The Club (formerly Bar One) is open till 3am at weekends.

Note that The Club has a dress code (no tracksuits/bottoms or large backpacks).

Check out what’s happening tonight at the The Club’s on their Facebook page

Great pubs to try further afield

  • The Greyhound in Corfe Castle – Great food, excellent garden with gazebo at the foot of the castle ruins
  • The Bankes Arms in Studland – Locally-made beer and a large beer garden with views of Studland Bay
  • Square & Compass in Worth Matravers – Excellent range of hand-crafted ciders with stunning views, live music and quirky fossil museum
  • The King’s Arms in Langton Matravers – A local pub serving good food and hosting regular events
  • The Old Granary in Wareham – Great for a riverside meal or meeting friends and family
  • The Scott Arms, Kingston – Great pub food (often serving Jamaican BBQ) with stunning views across Purbeck toward Corfe Castle