The Showbar

The Showbar Swanage’s best kept secret! Find us upstairs at The Mowlem from 5.30pm Mon-Sat, with panoramic views of the bay, local beers and great coffee!

All profits go to the running of The Mowlem, so everything you buy helps us to keep our community entertained!

The Pent-Up House Trio play live in The Showbar on Tuesday 2 June!This month the trio (Rob Mills, sax, Rick Foot, bass, ...
01/06/2026

The Pent-Up House Trio play live in The Showbar on Tuesday 2 June!

This month the trio (Rob Mills, sax, Rick Foot, bass, Rob Howes, piano) will be joined by the wonderful Pili Lopez, singing Spanish and Brazilian song, and they'll also be playing a tribute to the great Sonny Rollins who died last week at the age of 95.

Bar open at 5, Happy Hour til 6.30, music starts at 7.15pm, admission free with a bucket collection on the bar if you'd like to show your appreciation!

Love musicals? Step into The Mowlem's Showbar for a lively one‑hour show‑tune karaoke workshop with a live pianist and a...
29/05/2026

Love musicals? Step into The Mowlem's Showbar for a lively one‑hour show‑tune karaoke workshop with a live pianist and all your favourite musical theatre hits.

This fun, relaxed group session is all about the joy of singing big numbers together as a chorus. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just love a good show tune, come along to sing, learn and enjoy the thrill of live accompaniment.

No solos required (unless you fancy it) — just great songs, great company, a drink in hand and plenty of musical theatre magic.

Saturday 30 May, 8:30pm | Suggested donation £5 (inc. booking fee)

This All Sort'd event is suitable for anyone, any age! They will perform an uplifting and eclectic range of songs rangin...
29/05/2026

This All Sort'd event is suitable for anyone, any age! They will perform an uplifting and eclectic range of songs ranging from ' Lean on Me' to 'Under The Moon of Love'. Get up, dance, sing-along or sit back and take it all in. The audience are all welcome to join however they wish.

Saturday 30 May, 2pm | Free entry, donations welcome.

Take the stage at The Mowlem's very first Open Mic Night with host Ryan Lowe! Whether you’re a singer, musician, poet, ...
29/05/2026

Take the stage at The Mowlem's very first Open Mic Night with host Ryan Lowe! Whether you’re a singer, musician, poet, comedian or just here to cheer, everyone’s welcome for a relaxed, feel‑good night in The Showbar.

Performers 16+ can sign up from 7:30pm outside the Showbar. All abilities welcome. We’ll provide a mic and acoustic guitar — or bring your own instruments/ props. The bar’s open, the atmosphere’s warm, and the Big Weekend buzz is guaranteed.

Come share your voice, your creativity, and your courage.
Sunday 31 May, 8:45-10pm | Free entry, donations welcome.

Do you have memories of The Mowlem ? Purbeck Sounds are inviting you to think back and share the stories that connect yo...
28/05/2026

Do you have memories of The Mowlem ?

Purbeck Sounds are inviting you to think back and share the stories that connect you to this much‑loved building.

Whether you’re a lifelong Swanage resident or a holidaymaker who visited once upon a time, so many of us hold memories — old and new — tied to this place.

Drop in for a chat in the Showbar, and tell Cathy and Thelma from Purbeck Sounds your stories. Memories can be recorded and contributed to the History Box Project, in collaboration with Swanage Museum.

Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May, 10am-12pm | Donations welcome

Info about all Big Weekend events is available at https://themowlem.com/series/the-big-weekend-2026/

Step into Art for Fun with local Purbeck artist AndyKnill as he brings his much‑loved drop‑in drawing activity to The Mo...
28/05/2026

Step into Art for Fun with local Purbeck artist AndyKnill as he brings his much‑loved drop‑in drawing activity to The Mowlem for the Big Weekend. Suitable for all ages, this low‑cost creative session lets you try professional marker pens, experiment with ideas, and enjoy drawing in a relaxed, welcoming space — from just 50p.

A retired teacher turned full‑time artist, Andy shares how creativity supported his own wellbeing and now encourages others to discover the joy of making art. No teaching, no pressure — just enthusiasm, inspiration and plenty of pens.

This low-cost creative session will be based in the Showbar from 10am-4pm on Sunday 31st May.

Sunday 31st May, 10am-4pm | Donations from 50p are welcome

Information about all Big Weekend events is at https://themowlem.com/series/the-big-weekend-2026/

Get ready music-round lovers — our home‑grown quiz‑meister Oscar is back with a special evening of Musical BINGO! Match ...
27/05/2026

Get ready music-round lovers — our home‑grown quiz‑meister Oscar is back with a special evening of Musical BINGO!

Match song titles to iconic snippets from the 1960s–2020s in a fast, fun, feel‑good game for all music fans.

Saturday 30th, 5-7:30pm | £2 per player (cash at the event, please!)

Elgar’s Sea Pictures comes to The Mowlem’s Big Weekend — a sweeping, sea‑soaked song cycle performed by mezzo‑soprano Sa...
27/05/2026

Elgar’s Sea Pictures comes to The Mowlem’s Big Weekend — a sweeping, sea‑soaked song cycle performed by mezzo‑soprano Sarah Pring and pianist Louise Dukes.

Five evocative Victorian poems, masterfully set by Elgar, brought to life in the Show Bar with the real sea as their backdrop. Fresh from their standout performance in Destination Opera’s Advent(ure), they return to share this beautiful work in their home county.

Sunday 31 May, 8-8:30pm | Suggested donation £5 (inc. booking fee)
More information at https://themowlem.com/event/mowlem-big-weekend-sea-pictures-16/

Join the Purbeck Field drop-in session between 10am and 4pm thisa weekend in the Showbar and help create a sea of clay f...
27/05/2026

Join the Purbeck Field drop-in session between 10am and 4pm thisa weekend in the Showbar and help create a sea of clay figures inspired by Antony Gormley’s Field. Make your own figurine, and add it to a growing collective artwork. Your creation will join the full installation, exhibited on Sunday 31 May, 6–8pm at The Mowlem .

Led by Purbeck-based creative, Helen Leary, this relaxed session welcomes all ages and abilities, with easy instructions and a friendly Art Cafe atmosphere.

This Big Weekend event is free to attend. Donations help support our community programming.

Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st May, 10am-4pm - donations welcome!

More information on all Big Weekend events are at https://themowlem.com/series/the-big-weekend-2026/

Address

Shore Road
Swanage
BH191DD

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+441929422239

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