The Cellar Bar in Purbeck

It's a real shame, it used to be a great friendly bar, but it's changed hands, some of the staff are rude. It's table service only and you can wait ages for to be served. If you approach the bar you are likely to be ignored. Loads of potential but let down.

Rude manager shouted at me accusing me of just trying to use the toilet, I explained to him that I was there to have a drink and my husband and child were walking up to meet me. It really upset me as I wanted to sit and enjoy a drink with a view. When I complained he just gave excuses, I understand some people may be rude and just use the facilities but get the facts and ask before shouting. I am now annoyed and didn’t get my well deserved Prosecco

Fantastic bar - staff are great, drinks are lovely, coffee and cakes are yummy and the view is fantastic!! Definitely a bar to keep going back to!

Sat 30 mins before anyone came near us at this table service bar. Was served by pleasant enough staff but you need more. Cake and coffee delicious shame the service didn't match the food.

Been here a couple of times, love the location. Was somewhat disappointed when on a sunny Sunday in May it was closed at 6pm when we walked by- had it been open we would definitely have stopped for drinks. We’ve always received good service, I just think they need to decide opening hours.

A great spot for a drink and to take in the stunning view of Swanage bay. Lots of indoor and outdoor seating, the bar is modern and spacious and the staff are friendly and attentive. Prices are reasonable and we were served as soon as we sat down. The bar is known for its pornstar martinis, so we definitely recommend! We also tried the espresso martinis and Apperol Spritz. A great spot to relax in and highly recommend

Popped in to grab a coffee and admire the views. Great atmosphere and reasonable prices. I believe they sometimes hold live music acts in the evening. Has indoor and outdoor seating too. We had a lovely experience and look forward to coming back when we are next down in Swanage.

This is a hugely unwelcoming place, the staff and manager don’t really seem to want customers…. such a shame as it’s in a great location.

This is a lovely bar in a great location with the best views of the bay in Swanage. Unfortunately The Cellar Bar is now under new management who think it’s acceptable to close at 9.30 on a Thursday night during the Easter Holidays with a pub full of people. We are local to Swanage and would call ourselves fairly regular customers but we were still turned away by the landlord well before what would be considered normal closing time. We confronted the landlord only to be met with a real distain and attitude. Won’t go back there again as there’s a couple of new bars open in town where you get a much more positive experience. Shame.

A really stylish bar located in a fantastic spot looking out to sea, it’s connected to the theatre but is stand alone. It also has outside seating. They serve really good coffee in the mornings and have a good selection of beer and wines for later also a Spritz menu, a nice vibe with the candles lit in the evenings.

Lovely bar with a warm welcome and lovely views. The best place to enjoy a beer we found in Swanage. Nice atmosphere candles on tables for ambience and clean toilets excellent

Best bar in Swanage without doubt. Great views, good serving staff. Star beer is amazing. Staff waiting on you is a nice touch

Friendly staff, nice vibe, fantastic location and view. Sat with a glass of wine listening to the waves crashing into the wall below. Perfect!

Lovely to sit on outside table listening to the waves watching the world go by. Service slow but friendly. Toilets clean. It’s all shaded so can feel chilly even on a hot day.

We love our yearly breaks in Swanage, and we always make sure we come to the Cellar Bar for a drink, and to enjoy the lovely views from here over the bay. It's in a unique position beneath The Mowlem, and certainly makes the most of it with lots of outdoor seating. On the Saturday evening we came it was very busy with a private party, and I waited quite a while at the bar to get served. Then to my surprise, a member of staff saw me and said she'd take our drinks order from our table & bring it out to us, which was briliant! It was lovely to sit there & watch the sun go down, and soak up all the evening atmosphere at this popular nightspot. Once again we really enjoyed our visit, and appreciated the friendly & helpful girl from behind the bar stepping in like that.

This hostelry has evolved in to the best in Swanage and that from a Swanage resident. Staff are brilliant and table service is very welcome. At times a customer might have to wait to be served if its busy but how long can you stand at the bar in a busy pub!! The Cellar bar is not a restaurant but that gives it some character. Do not miss the opportunity to visit

This bar/pub is more like a lounge. It has good views to the beach and sea from the outdoor seating which is undercover. Inside is relaxed with comfy sofas. I think it's table service only, so when its busy, you do have to force eye contact with the staff. Later on a night seems to be the most busy. In the day, service is no issue.

Perfect location with excellent sea views. Plenty of seating inside and out. Good coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks. BUT.......... service is terrible. The place is packed and they do table service only. This would be ok if they had the staff but there's only one man taking orders and serving tables and one man behind the bar making coffee and pouring drinks. There is a lady who seems to be doing the cleaning. They're all very stressed and quite abrupt. Thing is you pay when you order so it's hard to walk out. Wait time around 30 mins from ordering. Go elsewhere. Plenty of choice in Swanage.

Hubby went to the bar he got told it was waitress service . We waited 15 minutes to be served and no one came . Only 3 people serving.Not good when it’s the height of the holiday season

Lovely, classy place with great views across the bay. In particular the staff are very charming and friendly. Coffee is great, too!

Popped in to have a quick drink and avoid the rain. Great atmosphere, selection of seats inside and out. Espresso martini was delicious and made perfectly.

Nice to find a local bar that has it all, superb view over the bay, nice local cider, welcoming and excellent service. Having been a pub drinker for years and lurking at the bar, I found it hard to get used to table service during covid, I have to say I can’t fault it here. Emily and Alastair are always welcoming and very attentive, my glass never reaches empty before Alastair is over with a smile and offering a refill!

This must now be one of the best places to visit. Excellent range of drinks from coffee to the stronger stuff. The staff are to be commended being both friendly and attentive.

Fab bar for watching the sea - friendly relaxed atmosphere - great selection of drinks Must visit if in swanage We will be back

A lovely bar, reasonably priced with excellent & friendly welcoming staff. We sat on the benches outside which has great views across the bay. Very enjoyable location to sit and watch the world go by one lunchtime with a nice choice of wines & beers...

The best bar in swanage! Staff are so attentive, glasses are never empty. Regularly come down just to come here, you’ll regret it if you don’t visit. Such a lovely atmosphere!

What a great place! Lovely friendly staff with tables overlooking the sea. Fab espresso martinis too! Sorry to be going home tomorrow. Roll on next year 😊😊

Beautiful view of the whole bay . Excellent choice of beers, wines and spirits. Service was very prompt and the cleanest Loos of our stay 👍❤️

Cheery staff. Very pleasant greeting on arrival. Excellent service. Very nice tea & coffee. Lovely seating arrangements---we sat outside. Very nice loos. Recommended.

Perfect spot for a late afternoon drink. Nice chilled out vibe, Friendly staff, great service and a fantastic view out across Swanage Bay.

The location is lovely, right on the seafront, and away from traffic. A nice place to chill out. All the staff are always very friendly, creating a pleasant environment. The service at the table without extra cost is a bonus. Prices are very fair.

We have been at Swanage for 3 evenings and visited this friendly pub every day. Staff are very friendly and always checking if anymore drinks etc are needed. A great place with a great view If I lived here this would be my local

We were in Swanage for the day and popped in for a coffee as it was a bit too early for lunch. Unfortunately I didn't see the small stool that was slightly protruding by the settee and tripped over. The staff were very concerned and...

Had a lovely little stop here today for a pint in the sunshine. Staff took our order and were polite and friendly. Amazing views across Swanage Beach and Sea.

With the best on the waterfront view in Swanage, the Cellar Bar is also the locals favourite as we walk past the outside tables, so regularly tempted to stop or to enjoy the warm and comfortable atmosphere inside. Friendly staff. Many an enjoyable evening spent...

Just a lovely addition to Swanage either on a warm or chilly evening. Really comfortable inside, great atmosphere and staff are really attentive. Become a firm favourite

A lovely place for a drink. Very modern and spacious. Nicely decorated. Friendly staff. Relaxing atmosphere. We stopped in here twice whilst on a day trip to Swanage because it was clean and tidy and very welcoming. We would recommend.

The best coffee in Swanage, cafe Rico. Plus an atmospheric bar/lounge, with outstanding sea views. Sensibly priced friendly, efficient staff.

Drank latte as son working on dissertation - so friendly and welcoming. Hot latte (so many aren’t) and because they were so welcoming we have returned for more. Lovely views and chilled ambiance.

We have visited the Cellar Bar numerous times in the past nine months - from the height of summer to the dark and damp days of December and we have always enjoyed speedy, friendly service from the great team. Considering how hard most bars are...

The building looks a bit 70's ish but don't let that put you off. This bar has some great staff and a relaxed ambience. We didn't find anywhere else this nice where you could sit and look out to sea. About the only thing missing...

We had drinks outside here every day of our week in lovely Swanage. Right next to the sea with friendly staff and good choice of drinks. See you next year!

We spent 3 days in Swanage and went in this bar 3 times. What a lovely experience. Staff were lovely and very attentive and helpful. Prices were a bit expensive but I guess you pay for the view! Would definitely recommend giving it a visit....

Cycled from Bournemouth to Swanage and wanted somewhere shaded to have a drink. Perfect spot and the best coffee I've had for a very long time. Staff lovely and service excellent.

Swanage does not have many nightlife/bar options, so we appreciated this bar. Great G&T options with a gorgeous view of Swanage coastline.

We visited this bar a number of times during our break with friends this week.Very friendly, reasonable prices for bottles wine and lovely views and comfy sofas I think our husbands would have moved in ! We would definitely return as made to feel very...

Stopped for a glass of wine by the sea. Waited a while for service and had to attract the waitresses attention in the end, after she had served a table who arrived after us. Wine was OK but very over priced at nearly £8 for...

We have visited three times during our holiday in swanage this week,the staff are amazing very friendly and welcoming. It's so nice to have a bar like this in swanage well done to everyone

Great little bar on the sea front. Its more of a bar than a pub, it's a little bit different to other places in swanage.lovely view of the sea from the outside terrace and from inside too. The staff were so friendly and chatty.

Most places post-lockdown have offered dreadful service. Not this place! Incredibly attentive and prompt despite being quite busy. Wonderful views onto the sea. Would recommend

Friendly staff continued to provide a really good service through the season last year when places were allowed to be open, we really hope they open again this year, it's nice to have a place in Swanage where you can sit and have a beer...

Ok but wasn't what I was expecting from a pier front establishment. This place has the atmosphere of a bar on central London that only caters to people called 'Tarquin' and 'Theodora'. Alas, its day time clientele consists of old men in flat caps, the...

We have had drinks in the cellar bar most days during our week in Swanage and the service has been excellent, very reasonably priced during what can only be classed as during very difficult times for both staff and visitors with having to give table...

Fantastic bar with an amazing sea view. Staff very friendly and even remembered us and what we ordered on the second day of our visit. Will be back next year

Popped in again at lunchtime after a morning of fishing, so v clean, friendly staff and great views. See you again soon

Fantastic seafront bar. Great staff always smiling. Busy and popular. Cleanliness is second to none. So good we went twice in one day!

Had drinks here on many occasions during our last holiday in Swanage, by day 3 they knew what hubby drink was! Great staff, friendly and interested in your day, lovely atmosphere, can’t wait till we return next month - Anne x

Lovely location and lovely decor. Plenty of room outside and inside. We went for a drink @4 times in the week we stayed. I would have loved to be able to bring the dog in as it looks so lovely inside but the outside is...

Love this place. It is out of keeping with Swanage and that’s exactly why it’s great. It’s a classy bar, not a pub or restaurant or coffee shop. I’ve been hoping for a place like this in Swanage for a long time. It’s a family...

Absolutely love it here, I don’t even go to any other pubs anymore, always so friendly and welcoming, Staff have the time to talk to you and ask about your day I cannot recommend this bar highly enough.

Great place for a Christmas drink. Was heaving in here on Christmas day! Not surprised though as the sun was out, the view was great and the staff were friendly.

Lovely bar. Great atmosphere. Friendly owners. Modern. Clean. Lovely view of bay. Cosy on cold days. Comfy settees.

Great atmosphere, view, music and service with a smile. If you’re really lucky you might get some live music. Certainly the cleanest and classiest establishment in Swanage to have a beer 🍻 Thankyou!

This was a late morning visit for a coffee, hardly anyone in and certainly no food in sight but were told on entry that no dogs allowed. Totally out of keeping with Swanage where all the cafés are dog friendly and some provide dog treats...

Excellent bar with nice addition of fresh seafood BBQ outside during Summer months. Great owners, good music/atmosphere, clean toilets and fantastic views across Swanage bay. Cash only currently which is awkward but not the end of the world. Could do with WiFi too, but all...

At last we have a brilliant bar in Swanage. Great beer, excellent friendly service and a fantastic atmosphere 😁

We used this bar recently on our holiday,it was very clean comfortable and modern ,there is outside seating with views across the bay.Would highly recommend .