One of Bournemouth’s most popular gay venues, The Branksome is the epitome of kitsch, with regular cabaret and drag nights that entertain anyone with a sense of fun.

The Venue
If you happen to miss the large gay pride flag hanging outside, The Branksome looks like any old bar. But venture inside and you’ll be overwhelmed with vibrant colours, sparkle and prints.

The ceiling is painted like the sky, the sofas are large and ostentatiously covered in animal print, African light fixtures and disco balls hang from the ceilings and there are pink sparkly curtains. If this decor isn’t kitsch and alternative, then O’Neill’s isn’t an Irish theme pub.

Even though it follows the stereotype of camp kitsch, the decor still works. It's unrestrained and is fun, frivolous, and creates a lively expressive scene.

The People
The crowd may be a mix of ages, but the bar has a fabulous youthful affect on everyone, so groups of students, young professionals and older customers blend into one happy group. The atmosphere is laidback and friendly, and everyone feels welcome here no matter what their sexuality.

On certain nights the mood shifts from the light-hearted Family Fortunes Quiz (Tuesdays), to the Camp Disco on Sundays that celebrates everything extravagant and entertaining.

The Drink
Cocktails are a popular choice for the mixed clientele and for £4.95 they’re good value. The bar covers the classics of course, but also has a few lesser-known combinations, like Purple Rain, a fruity, colourful concoction of red apple schnapps, rum, blue curacao, grenadine and lemonade.

Shots are also a great way of getting the party started at £2.50 a pop, with many variations such as the Creamy Jellyfish, consisting of blue curacao, sambuca, Baileys and grenadine.

The wine list isn’t bad either, with bottles ranging from £11.95 to £18.95 and the beers available are pub classics like Fosters and Stella with nothing particularly different in the mix.

The Last Word
It may not be everyone's sort of place, but The Branksome is a fun bar on Bournemouth’s gay scene that’s great for a cocktail and a boogie on most nights of the week.

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