Cocktails so good they make you Blush

If you haven’t been to Ashley Cross’s newest cocktail bar, Blush, yet you’re missing out.

The upmarket venue – all plush velvet sofas and marble tables – opened in August and screams class. I mean, you don’t get posher than champagne and oysters, right?

Describing itself as an ‘all-day immersive dining experience’, Blush aims to attract a grown-up audience with its burger and lobster-based menu, though if you’d prefer salad or a light bite you’re also well catered for. Head there for brunch, cocktails or late-night partying at weekends. Or for their bottomless brunch on a Saturday, complete with a 90s-style bottomless cocktail.

Blush is the brainchild of Alistair Julius, aka MC Alistair, who rose to fame in the 90s as one half of UK garage band Artful Dodger. He has toured internationally for many years, appearing alongside the likes of So Solid Crew, and no doubt these connections will come in handy in filling up the already busy events calendar and enticing great bands to the Poole venue. 

Events coming up in the next few weeks include a 90s & Noughties R&B brunch, hosted by DJ Taffy; a Drag brunch with Elektra Fence from Ru Paul’s Drag Race (which includes a two-course meal and bottomless drinks); and a Glitter and Sparkle Brunch with Brandon Block and guests, playing ‘soulful house and disco’.

When asked why he chose to open a cocktail bar now, Alistair explained, “The perfect venue came up at the perfect time. Ashley Cross was where we wanted to be, and we heard that this venue was available. I know Poole and Bournemouth well and knew we could bring something special to the community. Put simply, we want to offer the best service, cocktails and food, and that’s what we’ve done since our opening, it’s been absolutely brilliant thanks to our fantastic team and location.”

A varied cocktail menu includes all the classics and some amazing original cocktails – Spicy As I Am, for instance, is a delicious mix of tequila, agave, lime and pickled jalapeños and claims to ‘awaken your inner fire’. Or how about The Blush? Vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, almond orgeat, lime and prosecco – ‘a refreshing taste of the tropicals, not for introverts’. We’re also fascinated by the fact that you can choose to add 10mg of CBD oil to any drink. 

And, Alistair says, there are more exciting developments in the pipeline: “We’re going to change our model a bit going into winter. Our outside space doubles capacity so we’re going to winter-proof and make it really cosy. The kitchen, which is currently outdoors, is being moved inside. Expect a total venue transformation!

“Christmas at Blush is going to be special too – we don’t want to give too much away but watch out for the opening of our festive Winter Wonderland.”

See you there every day at 4pm, when cocktails are 2 for 1. Mine’s a Caipirinha please…

To view the menu or book, go to www.blushpoole.co.uk