Set in the heart of Bournemouth, close to the popular Westover Road, The Mary Shelley is Bournemouth’s newest Lloyds bar. Part of the JD Wetherspoons pub chain, it offers classic Wetherspoons value with a laidback atmosphere.

The Venue
The bar is set within the Quadrant Centre, neighbouring Beales department store and Bliss bar. Previously the venue for Bar Med, The Mary Shelley has now been refurbished to the high, comfortable standard seen in Lloyds bars.

To the left of the entrance and parallel to the bar are a set of comfortable booths – perfect for small groups of four or less. Other seating in the bar includes the usual small tables for two or four, which can be pushed together for larger groups.

The bar also has TV screens which have either Sky News, terrestrial sports matches, or just random programmes, on muted but with subtitles. And if you're bored of that there's the ever-popular fruit or quiz machines, which offer games such as Monopoly. Wi-Fi is also available.

The People
The Mary Shelley attracts people from all walks of life, during the day and night. Lunchtimes are usually busy, particularly at weekends. Come nightfall the atmosphere changes, turning into a fashionable after-work drinking haunt for many.

At weekends, there are DJs on till late in the evening, playing mostly classic and contemporary dance. Hailed as a pre-club bar, there is a small dancefloor to get people in the party mood.

Naturally it's very busy on Friday and Saturday nights, and it's worth trying to arrive before 10pm to avoid the worst of the queues for both the bar and entrance. Although it gets extremely crowded, the staff are efficient and serve quickly. Unfortunately there aren't enough toilets, and queing here is inevitable.

The Food
In true Lloyds form, food is great value, particularly with the recent addition of the £3.99 or £4.99 menu. On the whole, the quality of the is good, but at busy times quality can suffer, although food usually arrives within about 20 minutes.

For a hearty meal that's good value for money, try Wetherspoons special food nights. These include their steak or curry club, which run on Tuesday and Thursday respectively, from 3pm to 10pm. As well as the meal, you get a choice of selected alcoholic or soft drinks for a knockdown price. Sunday Club runs from noon to 9pm and is a family favourite for thsoe who want a Sunday roast without the hassle of cooking.

Light bites include jacket potatoes, panini and wraps. The chicken wrap with either crunchy southern fried chicken strips or tender chicken breast chunks, is served with mixed salad leaves and wrapped in a flour tortilla. Chips can also be added for a small charge.

There's also an extensive main menu. Favourites include the barbecue chicken melt, served with peas, tomato and mushroom or salad plus chips or a jacket potato. The barbecue sauce is tangy but not too sweet, and if you choose the salad, the dressing is delightfully zingy.

For everyday value, the Beer and Burger deal is excellent. Choose from a 6oz beef burger, vegetable burger or breaded chicken breast burger, served with chips and tomato relish, and the option of a variety of extras including barbecue sauce and onion rings.

If you're really hungry, go for the gourmet burger which comes with six extra onion rings, bacon (not with vegetable burger) and a special sauce - the gourmet chicken burger comes with a delicious creamy and peppery monterey jack cheese and pepper sauce.

There's also a typical 'pub grub' menu, and dishes start at £3.99. As well as favourites such as lasagne or fish and chips, healthy options such as spicy tomato pasta, which is marked as 5 per cent fat or less.

The Drink
Offering a huge selection of soft and alcoholic drinks, The Mary Shelley caters for all tastes. Teas, coffees and hot chocolates are available.

Ringwood is available on draught, as well as a variety of other real ales. There's also a large selection of cider and perry, varying in alcoholic content, as well as global beers such as the Polish-brewed Tyskie or American Budweiser.

Other popular drinks include the cocktails selection. Most are either single or double measures by the glass for one person, but many are offered by the pitcher to share with friends. Apple lovers should try a Frisky Bison – a combination of Bison-Grass Vodka and apple juice, and for a taste of summer, indulge in a pitcher of Pimms.

The Last Word
Whether it’s a quiet lunch or warming up for your night out, for good value for money and a comfortable environment, you would be hard-pushed to beat The Mary Shelley.

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