Exuding style and elegance, the Chandelier Bar is the perfect haunt for a winter's celebration.

Its hot pink and lime green furnishings contrast cleverly with the dark wood tables and huge chandelier centrepiece, while sparkling fairy lights decorate the windows, making for a cosy ambience.

Situated above The Boathouse on Christchurch Quay, the bar has an enviable location, with floor to ceiling bi-fold doors giving an uninterrupted view of the pretty quayside. Beyond the ornate bandstand, rows of boats bob about in the water, while swans swim gracefully by.

The doors are flung open during the warmer months, but guests can still enjoy the outside air on cooler evenings, thanks to a number of heaters strategically placed around the terrace.

It's no wonder the venue has been a hugely popular addition to the Christchurch nightlife.

It was actually born out of a tragedy when The Boathouse suffered a large fire upstairs in May 2013, which destroyed the upstairs function kitchen.

“It needed refurbishment,” says owners Kim Slater and Jeremy Carpenter.

"We thought ‘while we’re doing that, let’s create a new whole new venue’. We knew there was a demand for a unpretentious, classy venue where customers can enjoy informal dining, cocktails, and dance to a decent DJ."

With its own bar, the venue offers a selection of Champagnes, wines, beers and spirits, along with a wide choice of cocktails.

“It’s the perfect venue to hire out for parties – birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and Christmas parties,” adds Jeremy.

The standard function room package offered is £20 per person for room hire, a drink on arrival and tapas nibbles, for a minimum of 50.

It’s an extremely popular deal – but the bar does open to the public on evenings when a function is not taking place – check the venue’s Facebook page, or call and ask a member of staff a few days before you intend to visit.

:: boathouse.co.uk, 01202 480033