Boxing event at Bar Coast and Harry's Lounge Bar

Bar Coast and Harry's Lounge Bar is hosting a boxing event on Saturday 17 October, from 14:00 to 23:30. It's a one-day affair at the venue on Old Christchurch Road, and the boxing is the main draw for the day.

There's a bit of behind-the-scenes detail that explains why this is a one-off. The event is running under a Temporary Event Notice put in by the venue's owner, James Gordon, which the licensing authority accepted on 11 August. The notice is necessary because the bar's usual licence doesn't cover boxing and wrestling entertainment, so this is a specific, one-day extension to bring the ring in. It also covers alcohol sales for the day, which means you can grab a drink while you watch.

It hasn't all been smooth sailing, though. Dorset Police raised some concerns about the application, pointing to the area's history of alcohol-linked crime and antisocial behaviour and warning that combining boxing with alcohol sales could make things worse for public safety. They also pushed for more clarity on the attendance cap, which includes staff and security, and asked for a site layout plan to see exactly where the ring would be placed. In response, management capped attendance at 499 people or the venue's capacity, and ticket sales were proposed as a way to manage the crowd flow throughout the day.

If you're planning to head down, the details are straightforward: it's at Bar Coast and Harry's Lounge Bar, 156-164 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1NL, on Saturday 17 October, running from 14:00 to 23:30.