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ONE PUB ONLY?
Will Adams
CRAWLING FROM RAILWAY STATION TO THE GROUND?
Will Adams, Frog and Toad and then the Barge. a bit of a wander this one but there is nothing directly between station and the ground.
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT?
Will Adams (Check it is open, opens earlier on matchdays)
|  |  Barge
63 Layfield Rd ME7 2QY Telephone 01634 850485
W www.thebargepub.co.uk
G Tim Robinson
BM P
O 7 to 11 Mon - Thu, 4 to 11 Fri, 12 to 11 Sat – Sun
This is a beautiful street - terrace pub. Not in the oldie worldy sense that, because of the views out of the dimply lit bar to the Medway valley beyond the garden and the simple comfort of a timber framed ship lap style Kent Cottage pub, “It blows the cobwebs away” (Mark Morgan of Burnley) When you visit there will often be an odd guitar around and the locals are known to pick one up and set off an impromptu folk singing session. The list of upcoming events is impressive, including acts of world renown. In the CAMRA guide for 14 years, the Barge serves Cottage ales as a staple, with four others rotating every few days. The pub proclaims “there are no strangers here, only friends who have not met”. The family atmosphere oozes from the woodwork. It is a top boozer, my advice is to park up nearer the ground and walk down for a friendly lunchtime pint.
UPDATE: The Barge continues to be a favourite to those who manage to find it. Nelson beers are not likely to be here any more.
BWV 6.4.05: Bass Draught, Cottage Leg before Whippet, Flagship Spring Pride, Nelson Joshua Ale, Wells Eagle,
BWV 21.5.06: Cottage Champflower Ale, Golden Arrow, Daleside Shrimpers, Skinner’s Spriggers Ale, Young’s Bitter | |  Dog and Bone
21 Jeffrey St ME7 1DE Telephone 01634 576829
G Dave Skinner
MP TV JB P D
O 11 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Dog and Bone has long been popular with both home and away fans looking for a convenient pub in the town centre that is large enough for groups to mix well before a game. It has been recommended to me by fans who prefer their pub to be in the town and handy for a short walk to or from the station
The pub has undergone fairly recent extension to create a large eating area through a conservatory that extends away from the older part of the pub. The rest of the pub consists of a traditional two section layout with low timbered ceilings in the bar and lounge style. Dave has been landlord here for many years and knows the local pub scene. The locals are typical of the town centre and they are made up of a good mix of ages and attitudes. At lunch time it will be shoppers and office workers, in the evenings the local regulars enjoy a friendly and lively atmosphere. On matchdays there will be both home and away fans, often in separate areas of the pub but more likely sharing the love of the game in their conversation. I chatted with David Green, a local accountant, who told me that he was one of many who travel longer distances to enjoy the atmosphere and beer selections at the Dog and Bone. The beers are often changing and include a mix of national and regional ales.
BWV 21.5.06: Eccleshall Slaters Original, Greene King IPA, Vale Edgar’s Golden Ale | |  Frog & Toad
Burnt Oak Terrace ME7 1DR Telephone 01634 852231
W www.thefrogandtoad.com
G David Gould
F Traditional good value pub food. Bookings only on Sunday 5 to 7 Mon - Thu, 1 to 4 Sun
SP TV P D
O 11 to 11, 12 to 10.30 Sun
The Frog and Toad was local CAMRA pub of the year three years running. It is a very quirky place to drink, a true residential town pub and the hub of local life. It runs 4 darts teams, 2 quiz teams, 2 footie teams yet is not a true footie pub in the big screen definition. The oddities are legendary. For examples the basket in the ceiling is for hoisting the shoes of those who wish to partake of Kwak Beer and gallows in the beer garden, heaven knows why this is of use. David also has 30 Belgian beers on offer and is truly led by the locals’ wishes in the choice of ales and activities. The place comes to life as the office trade come in for cheap food after work, Monday to Thursday. This is a fun pub without the need for town centre themes; I would love it as my local.
UPDATE: David is the new Guvn’or, having previously been manager here for the last six years. The fun will continue as will the frequent themed festivals. The next was of “beers with place names.” The Belgian beer festival is now a May fixture.
BWV 6.4.05: Brakspear Bitter, Fuller’s London Pride, Marston’s Pedigree. Skinner’s Best, Biddenden Bushels Cider
BWV 21.5.06: Brakspear Bitter, Fuller’s London Pride, Harveys Sussex Mild, Robinson’s Unicorn | |  King George V
1 Prospect Row Brompton ME7 5AL Telephone 01634 842418 W www.kgvpub.com
G John Brice
F Big menu from simple to exotic and elaborate food 12 to 2, 6,30 to 8.30 Tue - Sat, 12 to 4 Sun
MP BM
O 11.45 to 11 Mon - Sat, 12 to 10.30 Sun
John certainly knows a good beer and the KGV is a great place to spend an hour or so before the 35 minute walk to the ground. This street - corner pub has reinvented itself as a local’s pub that serves the local community needs. They also specialise in malt whiskies, Belgian bottles ales and treat their customers as officers, whatever their rank. The bar is a curious shape, like the prow of a galleon with the bars wrapping themselves cosily around the corners of the building. Local history and character is evident on every wall. For example, a print of the pub pre - stoning, known then as the King of Prussia, and military badges and plaques. It too has themed beer evenings but every day the choice of ales always includes a range of gravities and often a mild.
UPDATE: Dave, the Torquay supporting Landlord, is planning to open the improved pub garden and convert rooms for bed and breakfast accommodation. The train to Gillingham is really only five minutes away in Chatham.
BWV 6.4.05: Adnams Best, Brakspear Bitter, Greene King Old Speckled Hen, Goacher’s Light
BWV 21.5.06: Adnams Bitter, Smiles Bitter, St. Peter’s Mild | |  Will Adams
73 Saxton St ME7 5EG Telephone 01634 575902
G Peter Lodge
F Football menu when Gills are at home 12 to 2
MP TV JB P
O 7 to 11 Mon - Fri, 12 to 5, 7 to 11 Sat - Sun. Earlier opening on matchdays
The Will Adams is one of those pubs that just has to be seen and sampled. It is a local award winner and comes highly recommended by many of the readers of last years’ guides who said it was essential visiting for football fans who love a quality real ale pub that is run by a proper football enthusiast.
Peter is a season ticket holder and a lot of what the pub does has connections to his love of ale, proper pub life and football. The ales always include Summer Lightning and three others that are constantly changing. He also specialises in thirty plus malt whiskies and a real cider. You will always be welcome as an away fan because Peter has enjoyed, (or is it suffered?) the experiences of finding good ale on his away days following the Gills. There is a photo in the bar of Peter and fellow pub drinkers at the Withdean, a connection that is long established when the Seagulls decamped to Priestfield all those years ago. The whole length of one room has a mural that depicts the day that Will Adams left for Japan and his Samurai existence. This theme continues on through amusing pictures on the toilet doors. The pub is board game and darts mad. An odd variation is the Kentish dart board and the pub team that plays in the local league. The age of the regular’s ranges from the mid twenties, to Charlie, who is in his eighties, all are friendly folk as is the landlord and his good lady. This is a great back - street pub with real ale class.
BWV 21.5.06: Hop Back Summer Lightning, Hydes Jekyll’s Gold, St. Austell Tribune, York Decade
BWV 20.2.10 Bank Top Sweeney, HopBack Fuggles, Summer Lightning, Saltaire Stein Gold | | | GILLINGHAM CAMRA | | 
KRBS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM | | WETHERSPOONS
The Golden Lion 147-149 High Street Rochester ME1 1EL Opening Times: Sun-Thu 9am-midnight; Fri/Sat 9am-1am
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