From the 1880s to the present day, so much history has taken place here…
Let’s stroll down memory lane.
End of Bournemouth Pier – 1909
Photo Credit: Alwyn Ladell
1885 – BEFORE THE DOME
Covered shelters and a bandstand were added to the end of Bournemouth Pier. Roller skating began in 1898, when a special deck was built and opened by the Lord Mayor of London.
In the days before radio and the gramophone, live music was played daily on the pier by the band section of Bournemouth’s Municipal Orchestra, the country’s first.
1958 – BUILDING ORIGINS
1958 – Designed by local architect Elizabeth Whitworth Scott, along with a Pier Theatre came an incredible state of the art dome type sphere offering a very unique panoramic sea views of Bournemouth and the surrounding areas. Heavily influenced by The 1951’s Festival of Britain exhibition, The domed roof was originally clad in copper sheeting and is surmounted by a distinctive and decorative coronet. This original building structure is still used today.
Constructing the building – 1958
The Pier Café in the 1960s.
Photo Credit: maxustaxus YouTube
1959 to 2014 – ‘THE PIER CAFE’ DAYS
1959 – ‘The Pier Café’ concept was approved by the Bournemouth Corporation and opened in 1959 alongside the Pier Theatre & Theatre Bar next door. It served Teas & Cakes with some light food options on a tray that slide from one side of the room to the other on stainless steel bars.
In the mid 1960s during the Summer, The Pier Café hosted Jazz on the Pier on Saturday nights as well as events like Stomping on the Pier. To this day, Key West still offer live music all year round with table service and an elevated food & drink experience.
2014 – RENOVATIONS & KEY WEST ORIGINS
2006 – The venue on the pier is now operated independently from the Bournemouth Borough Council. Adventure Attractions (formally known as Openwide International) now operates the venue.
2014 – ‘The Pier Café’ is reimaged and rebranded as Key West. Initially inspired by restaurants from the coastal city of Florida, offering a wider range of food options than it’s predecessor. The interior gets a complete overhaul with a focus on a bar & restaurant menu. An outdoor terrace was added with views looking up to the PierZip tower allowing a great view for excitement from customers before they set off over the sea and down to shore. It was also a big year for Key West and Bournemouth Pier as couples could now legally get married inside the venue overlooking the stunning views.
A family outing at Key West – 2016
Freddie Mercury Tribute takes the stage – 2022
MAKING MEMORIES ON THE PIER
2017 – Money Saving Expert personality Martin Lewis visits Key West for a special live show on ITV’s ‘The Martin Lewis Money Show‘, focusing on helping people save money on their holidays. During the show, Martin answered questions from audience members on the pier as well as viewers at home.
2021 – In 2021, Key West started music tribute nights celebrating all different types of music from ABBA to Taylor Swift and everything in-between. Even today, tribute nights run every month and all year round inside Key West.
2022 – Key West & Bournemouth Pier enters a festive spirit by introducing ‘Christmas on the Pier‘. A new annual element to coincide with Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland in the lower gardens. Over 100 six-foot trees lining the pier from Pier approach all the way to the end of the pier on the east and west side was introduced. A festive quiz entertained visitors, with answers on boards placed between the trees. Inside Key West, the Santa stage was formed, offering a big Santa stage for festive photos which continues today.
2023 – Key West’s Big Disco Ball is reintroduced, even bigger than ever – enhancing an evening of memories and glittery lights all around. Key West also adds two outdoor sheltered corners to the terrace for those windy and wet days, but still want to take in the sea views.
May 2023 – Sky Sports broadcasts a 2-day live high-profile weigh-ins for hometown hero Chris Billam-Smith as he fights against Lawrence Okolie on the terrace of Key West. Later that day, the actual fight takes place at the Vitality Stadium (live on Sky Sports). Even local sports celeb Harry Redknapp made an appearance at Key West.
More celebrities visit Key West – During the Summer of 2023 filming, for BBC1’s ‘Mary Makes It Easy’ series takes place with TV personality Mary Berry & Anton Du Beke at Key West to teach him simple recipes to cook.
2024 – Key West wedding ceremony license was extended to outside on the terrace. The perfect way to say I do above the waves.
Christmas On The Pier – 2024
Adventure Attractions team winning ‘GOLD’ at the DMB Tourism Awards – 2025
AWARD-WINNING & A ROYAL VISITOR
2025 – Key West wins Best Customer Service bronze award and Best Wedding Venue bronze at the 2025 DMB Tourism Awards.
2026 – On 19th March 2026, HRH The Prince of Wales met inside Key West Coastal Restaurant to talk & highlight the pioneering work happening through the Homewards programme in Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch.