Step inside a quaint and cosy micropub unlike any other, with games, hang-out spots and live music.
The Convivial Rabbit in Dorchester, at Trinity House off Trinity Street in Dorchester since first opening in late 2016.
Speaking about the quirky name of the pub, its landlord Nigel Baker said: “The idea behind the name is that it give people a place to come and talk, be more social and have a good time.”
Mr Baker says the building has a lot of history - which he has kept alive.
It was the former home of the Dorset County Chronicle, and the micropub has a hatch where copy would have been passed through to the editor in days gone by. After the newspaper was closed down, the area was a seafood restaurant before Mr Baker took on the building.
Guests can experience a warm atmosphere as soon as you walk in, with different areas of the pub offering their own points of sanctuary.
In a nod to the editorial history of the pub Mr Baker has a fresh stack of newspapers close to the hatch for people wanting to catch up on the latest current affairs.
The reading corner to your left when you walk in provides a cosy little spot for a catch up, with a plethora of books to choose from - if that takes your fancy, in the big welcoming chairs. Mr Baker said this is the spot where most people come to relax after a long week.
In that corner Mr Baker also pays homage to Eldridge Pope, the former brewery based in Dorchester, with a selection of memorabilia.
In the far corner is what Mr Baker described as 'the comedy corner', with a host of the landlord’s favourite comedic actors and characters throughout history including the likes of Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean, John Cleese’s Basil Fawlty and Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge.
He said: “I am a big fan of comedy and these photos are a bit of my personality I guess, people I like, and it gets people talking and having a laugh.”
The comedy corner may be equipped with the biggest table in the micropub for the convivial meetings, but it is not the pub’s most impressive table. Mr Baker has repurposed industrial waste to fit in with the pub’s quirky vibe- with a gigantic reel used as a table.
The toilet has also been given the quirky nickname of the Thunder Box, another comedic touch from Mr Baker to make the space more personal.
By the window lies a piano, which is next to a shelf packed with board games for people to play, including chess and Jenga.
Mr Baker said: “We had the piano donated to us, and we have kept it so that people can come in, play music- we often host live music nights and open microphone nights to encourage people.”
The Convivial Rabbit hosts live music and last month welcomed the likes of Kid Hyena- an urban folk group.
The pub also hosts comedy nights as well as fundraising nights for different charities. Mr Baker said: "It's really great to be able to organise events and give back to the local community, as that's what being a part of the community is all about."
Speaking about the pub's locals, Mr Baker said: “We get a lot of different people in here looking for a quiet one or ready to go out on the town - but given the nature of our barrels and the fact we change what’s available all the time we do have a lot of real ale connoisseurs trying out the latest cask ale.”
Almost every week the selection of alcohol at the pub varies, with fresh new tastes from local brewers on tap, straight from the barrels.
The pub boasts a massive outdoor seating area just a short walk across from the pub, tucked away between Dorchester’s South Street and Trinity Street, providing a place for a tranquil drink away from the hustle and bustle.
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