Smokin' Aces
Smokin' Aces
4.5
5:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
5:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Friday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Saturday
5:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Sunday
7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
232 reviews
Excellent
161
Very good
35
Average
16
Poor
6
Terrible
14
sisen
London, UK63 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Went to what was described as the best cocktail bar in Bournemouth, thought I'd test the humble but smiling barman, asked for an old fashioned and 8-10 minutes later....
Totally speechless - simply best first drink in any bar anywhere.....ever!
Don't underestimate the power of Mr Smoking Aces!
It's so good I can't even rush it, so I can get another.
Great music, great setting, unbelievable skills from the man behind this bar! Think I'm gonna relocate
Totally speechless - simply best first drink in any bar anywhere.....ever!
Don't underestimate the power of Mr Smoking Aces!
It's so good I can't even rush it, so I can get another.
Great music, great setting, unbelievable skills from the man behind this bar! Think I'm gonna relocate
Written October 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah Carroll
10 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This place is we came on Friday night and the singer was fantastic, we enjoyed it that much we came back on the Saturday. Alex was our server and he made me pretty much any drink i wanted, he is such a lovely guy such a sweetheart. We will definitely return the next time we visit Bournemouth.
Written October 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dazz99
London14 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
Was in Bournemouth for the weekend and popped into this bar on Saturday. Loved the atmosphere and play list. We were downstairs by the whiskey lounge singing and dancing to a few of the great songs Service was friendly and wished I could have stayed longer. Would recommend if you like an indie tune.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for going to the trouble of leaving us a review. It's very kind of you and we hope to see you again soon!
Written February 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria M
8 contributions
Jul 2020 • Friends
I visited Smokin’ Aces on 31st July with my fiancé and two friends for cocktails. This was our first night out since lockdown so we were really looking forward to it. I booked a 2 hour slot as required on their website. We actually arrived prior to this but had the courtesy of waiting outside until our allotted time. We spent almost £100 collectively on drinks. The next group who had booked a table arrived 20 minutes early and immediately a member of bar staff came over and asked us to hurry up as they were waiting for our table.
This wasn’t where my bad experience ended unfortunately! The next day I had a rude email from the Manager saying they were charging me £40 (£10 per person) for not turning up for my reservation! Even though we all did!!! And I had photographic evidence and bank statements to prove I was there. I would never not show up for a reservation. I was absolutely fuming to discover £40 had left my account. I eventually got this returned to me 5 days later after I had to make numerous phone calls to the Manager as he didn’t return my call that evening as promised. Obviously refunds don’t get processed straight away from the bank so I was left without money for the weekend, good job I didn’t have bills to pay. So I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place unless you want to be out of pocket and hurried along by the staff. Also the music was very loud so we couldn’t even have a conversation and it is very cramped in there.
This wasn’t where my bad experience ended unfortunately! The next day I had a rude email from the Manager saying they were charging me £40 (£10 per person) for not turning up for my reservation! Even though we all did!!! And I had photographic evidence and bank statements to prove I was there. I would never not show up for a reservation. I was absolutely fuming to discover £40 had left my account. I eventually got this returned to me 5 days later after I had to make numerous phone calls to the Manager as he didn’t return my call that evening as promised. Obviously refunds don’t get processed straight away from the bank so I was left without money for the weekend, good job I didn’t have bills to pay. So I definitely wouldn’t recommend this place unless you want to be out of pocket and hurried along by the staff. Also the music was very loud so we couldn’t even have a conversation and it is very cramped in there.
Written September 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Maria, thanks for your review. I'd like to clear up a few points that you have made in the review:
Firstly, no-one from your group (as far as I am aware) mentioned that you had a booking and you were, therefore, treated as a "walk-in". Obviously, we do try to accommodate walk-ins but reservations take priority. This was why your arrival was not confirmed on our system and you were subsequently charged as a no-show. It is also why you were asked to leave before your 2-hour slot was complete.
Had we been aware that you actually had a booking, you would not have been moved or asked to vacate the table and you would not have been charged. While I'm pretty confident that no-one from your group mentioned that you had a booking, it is possible that we made a mistake. At the time of your visit, all of these systems were brand new to us and, as I'm sure you can appreciate, they take a bit of getting used to. If this was the case, I can only apologise profusely. Due to this incident, we have since amended our processes to make sure this doesn't happen again.
You were charged at midday on 1st August and refunded in full at around 5.30pm on the same day. You made 2 phone calls - one in response to the email in the early afternoon and one in the evening, when you were refunded. I promised to call you that evening but you rang me as I was entering the building. I immediately set up the card machine and refunded you in full. Our refund is instantaneous, however, your card issuer may delay, or take a while to process the refund. Please feel free to contact them as to why it took 5 days because it is usually instant.
I'm not convinced that email that you were sent was "rude". I have included it below for your reference:
----------------
Dear Maria,
Your booking for 4 people at Smokin’ Aces on 31st July 2020 was not claimed. As I’m sure you can appreciate, no-shows cost us a considerable amount of money, since we turn away other potential bookings.
We allow changes/cancellations of bookings until 6 hours before your reservation. In line with our terms and conditions, we have charged you a fee of £10 per person for the unclaimed booking.
Many thanks.
----------------
I apologise that your experience was not at all what you were hoping for, or expected. As I said, we have since changed our processes completely in order to prevent this sort of thing happening in future. Hope to see you again sometime!
Written September 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Harrison H
75 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Was roaming around on a Monday night looking for a place that didn’t seem so desolate and we stumbled upon this oasis of fun in the desert of weekday Bournemouth. The atmosphere was brilliant everyone was having a good time with a DJ to supply the tunes. The toilets were on brand and matched the overall aura of the establishment. Prices weren’t extortionate and reasonable. Definitely seems to be a hot spot for the younger players in Bournemouth. The highlight was the JD lounge below where you can chat and chill.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gemma N
1 contribution
May 2024 • Friends
Awesome end to our hen weekend. Welcomed by Drew with open arms, felt like we had friends from years gone by, danced the night away, Hen on the bar, to old school hip hop. No drinks menu but the incredible bar staff took my preferences and made me an amazing drink, to my taste!
Written June 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca P
Clapham, UK4 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
I went there on the bank holiday weekend, the staff were lovely and very helpful given the current climate making you feel at ease as soon as you walk through. The bar has a great vibe too it and a great selection of cocktails and drinks - perfect for evening drinks.
The table is easy to book online and drinks easily ordered via an app with great social distancing precautions in place. Would highly recommend
The table is easy to book online and drinks easily ordered via an app with great social distancing precautions in place. Would highly recommend
Written September 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca, thank you so so much for leaving us a review!! Very kind of you to take the time to do so. We're delighted that you enjoyed your evening and we hope to see you again soon!!
Written September 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
TAN84
Worthing, UK3 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
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. To top it off the bar staff were honestly some of the best we’ve ever experienced, so fun and friendly, they make the vibe what it is. They even made a special fuss of our bride-to-be with a coyote ugly moment on the bar. We’ll be back!
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julesy
Northamptonshire, UK26 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
Great bar with a lovely atmosphere. Bar staff friendly and knowledgeable.
I tried 3 different cocktails…my favourite (and my partners ) was the Tiki Teasy A must try!
I nearly won myself a free shot by naming almost all the famous faces on the wall by 2
I think if I had, I might not of made it to the restaurant 😉
I tried 3 different cocktails…my favourite (and my partners ) was the Tiki Teasy A must try!
I nearly won myself a free shot by naming almost all the famous faces on the wall by 2
I think if I had, I might not of made it to the restaurant 😉
Written June 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juliana, thank you SO much. It was great to meet you and we're delighted that you enjoyed the cocktails!! Hope to see you again soon!!
Written June 29, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NINA W
Bournemouth, UK50 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Not a great experience.
We went in for a pre night out drink tonight. There was a good of blokes having a good time. They were sat at a table and the security staff came over and took their phones off the table. Understandably the blokes kicked off.
Why do your door staff think it’s acceptable to cause unnecessary agro??
Avoid this bar if you want a chilled atmosphere. Unless they sort out the attitude on the door.
We went in for a pre night out drink tonight. There was a good of blokes having a good time. They were sat at a table and the security staff came over and took their phones off the table. Understandably the blokes kicked off.
Why do your door staff think it’s acceptable to cause unnecessary agro??
Avoid this bar if you want a chilled atmosphere. Unless they sort out the attitude on the door.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi does anyone know what time happy hour starts / finishes and is happy hour on every day ?
Written May 20, 2019
Yep, it’s on every day and runs until 8pm. Half price selected cocktails. For further details, please visit our website and/or follow us on social media.
Written May 23, 2019
Hello me & my wife are looking to come on sat night . What type of entertainment will be on and when do u close ?
Written April 30, 2018
Thank you for the answer!! Half price cocktails are only until 8pm though ;)
Written June 29, 2018
What kind of music is played on a Friday?
Written May 21, 2017
Hiya, we absolutely do NOT play "House" music at ANY time at Smokin' Aces. On Fridays, we have live music (usually rock covers, modern folk, etc.), followed by some incredible DJs playing a mixture of funk, soul, hip-hop, classic breaks, indie and pop. But never house music.
Written June 7, 2017
Hiya, we welcome absolutely everybody at Smokin' Aces, no matter their age or background and our customer base reflects this. We are lucky enough to have customers from 18 to 80. We do not have a particularly large proportion of students because we do not offer a student discount - we want ALL of our customers, no matter who they are, to benefit from sensible prices on incredible products. Hope to see you!
Written June 7, 2017
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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