please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Congratulations. A handful of pubs on evening one and a handful on evening two was always going to have a winner. I think you know where this is going. Great welcome. Great interior. If there was one pub that we would return to then it would be this one. My short time here could be summed up in one word. Aaaaaaaah (the nice relaxed one not the one you scream a second into your first skydive)
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Visited the Phoenix after having stayed away for a long time due to the ridiculously high prices and not very well kept beer. Well they have surpassed themselves. £4.13 for a pint of Adnams Lightship. I have paid less in the West End and the City. Needless to say I will not be going back. There are other free houses in Faversham which don't charge extortionate prices i.e. the Elephant and the excellent Furlongs. They also know how to keep beer in tip top condition unlike the Phoenix which is at best just drinkable.
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A decent enough pub a short walk from the centre of town, has a good selection of ale which were well kept and good food, if a little pricey, fairly small inside but has a reasonable size beer garden.
Visited it on easter Sunday and we only stayed for one pint because of some "modern parent" types who were having a drink while allowing their "little darlings" to do what they wanted... throwing gravel in the air near people drinking and annoying a couples dog, if you want to use a pub, which should be for adults and older children, as a creche then at least control your childen!
Rant over, it not the pubs fault but did ensure we only had a brief stay.
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A smallish pub with bare floorboards. Generally seems busy which is a good sign. On my last visit the food was very good although they did make a mistake with the bill which was quickly rectified.
Good selection of beers, Landlord, Adnams Lighthouse, Dairy Green Top and an Ottter ale. A nice change in a mainly Shepherd Neame dominated town.
The decor includes plenty of whisky bottles and cartoons from Private Eye.
Well worth a visit especially if you want somewhere to eat.
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Good pub. Friendly landlord and staff. Well kept beer. Sounds perfect? Eye watering prices.
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Pub, good, beer on this occasion mediocre! Timothy Taylor's tired last of the tub I would say. Lighthouse better, but not bright but good flavour (I drink with my taste buds not so much my eyes). Average array of Ales, nothing that would make me change direction, but certainly better than a lot in the area.
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Called in today, no blonde witches on duty, excellent couple of pints of Timothy Taylor Landlord to wash down my baked potato with cheese & bacon. Shame the potato was clearly microwaved though. Attract, clean pub with attractive barmaid and exuberant landlord. Amongst the best in Faversham.
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Don't get me wrong, I love this pub. It does a variety of beer, which in Shepherd Neame land is an absolute bonus. Landlord convivial and flaboyant and most of the staff are friendly. However, don't fall foul of the blonde witch they currently employ. What part of customer service does this horror not understand. Very rude and far too interested in her hair to bother with customers. Sad to see she treated an elderly gentleman who was eating at this establishment with utter disdain, no respect and forgetful of the fact he was paying for this "service." Far too busy whinnnying with younger people to deal with him. Move on and let us get back to service, respect and a nice friendly atmostphere. Blondoe girl you spoil this lovely pub.
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First pub on a 5 pub crawl of Faversham.
There were 5 ales on tap, which were as follows....Butcombe bitter, Hogsback TEA, Black Sheep Golden Sheep, Harveys Sussex Best, Phoenx's own brewed beer Faversham Creek Ale.
The first pint I had was the Faversham Creek Ale, as a golden ale it was fine but not the best to be honest. The 2nd pint I had was Golden Sheep and was much better.
This is a nicely run old fashioned pub, large open fire in the front bar with a musket displayed above the fireplace.
The husband and wife team make cracking hosts with the landlord obviously being the life and soul of the party, very friendly and chatty.
Even though it was only noon when we cam in the tables were laid for food. The sandwiches and chips that were served to a family that arrived looked and smelt very good, they were also nicely presented.
A few minutes walk out of town but it's worth the extra stroll
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I drink in the Phoenix from time to time in the evenings and I've always found the atmosphere relaxed, the beer good and the service obliging. The new proprietor has put in a lot of work to good effect smartening up the interior, sorting out the garden and establishing a comfortable and discrete smokers' den, away from the main pub. The garden provided a fine setting in which to kick back in the afternoon sun this summer. The pub is very child friendly in the day time and the regular crowd tends to be friendly and well mannered right to the end of the evening.
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Somewhat more successful than my last visit - there was actually someone there to serve us today. Nice drop of Harvey's in very pleasant surroundings.
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3 of us visited this pub on a cold 7th May 2012 Bank Holiday. Very cosy and log fire going. All staff very welcoming and we all enjoyed our meals. Being a Monday evening there was a quiz taking place, in aid of a charity, which added to the friendly atmosphere. this was being run very eloquently by the Landlord and, had we not had a long drive home, we would have stayed until closing time! Will definitely visit again.
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Walked into this pub at 1.45pm on Monday. No sign of anyone behind the bar. Waited. Walked out at 1.49pm still thirsty.
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Visited this pub on Friday evening for a meal, in the hope that the apparent hype around its refurbishment was justified. Alas, from what little I experienced, my verdict was that it probably isn't. Whilst it was clearly busy, and appeared to be a sympathetic modernisation of a fine old building with 4 cask ales and an accent on good food, I found it lacking in warmth, character or friendliness. The clientele were a mixed bunch but there was an air of cliquiness and vague pretence among them which I disliked. And the pleasant welcome from the bar staff was non-existent. There was little urgency and we just felt like we'd been placed on a conveyor belt. Having resolved to persevere and eat there despite the antipathy, nothing particularly grabbed us on the menu, which itself appeared a little over-egged and like they were trying too hard. So we gave in and moved on to the infinitely more relaxed and friendly Anchor Inn. Maybe I'm being harsh, but this pub somehow just missed the mark for me. Another time maybe, but I'll be in no rush.
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I visited this pub on Saturday eve, which is the first time I've been there since it was refurbished. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the pub has expanded (at least, I think it has expanded, it certainly looked bigger than before!!), it was very classy and cosy, with a very relaxed atmosphere (sofas, log fire etc) and I can imagine that it attracts people of all ages. I'm looking forward to returning and sampling the food in there!
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bit wanky, but a quality venue! Proper parochial schmooze fest most of the time that you go there, but they do properly interesting events and evenings. staff always awesome, beer always great (but not as good as shepherd neame)
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Visited the Phoenix yesterday as part of a crawl with my partner Karen.
It's an interesting old building and a lot of the wooden fixtures look like the date from around the 1950s-70s mark (difficult to say), the building itself is obviously a heck of a lot older.
Pleasant enough visit and the food as pretty good (best chips I've tasted for quite some time, yum!), but, sadly, the choice of beers was pretty uninspiring - a couple of Adnams brews (The Bitter & Broadside), Tim Taylor Landlord and Harvey's Sussex Best. We opted for Broadside and Harvey's, which seemed pretty well kept.
The fireplace here is massive and would be very welcoming on a bitter winter's day, but for March it was a little bit much after a while.
This pub has won the Best Newcomer catagory in the Great British Pub Awards 2010, not sure what sort of competition it was up against, but well done anyway.
Worth another visit, just hope the beers on offer are a bit more interesting next time.
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and to just add to the fact why was the pub voted best newcomer in the south east,in the great british pub awards,independent judges,they cant be wrong,stay away if you want a darts pub,this is a talking pub
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so camraman1 has got something against the pub,food maybe a quid or 2 more than other local pubs but taste the quality and presentation,as regards the beer, the pub runs a real ale advisory board that recommends beer to david and mike,that is served in the pub,so far we have had in the last 2weeks Harveys,Gadds,Doombar.,Ringwood,Whychwood,coming up Woodefords timmy taylor,all served well.Good advents orginised at the pub,all staff very friendly,and as for drunks at the end of the bar,think the only person in there with beer goggle eyes must be him,i have seen so may older folks in there,including well to do ladies,they are not frightened to come in,prehaps he got the pub mixed up with witherspoons,as he stumbles round town,ending up in the elephant
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Hi All,
I am new to this site. However,I have been drawn to it by critical comments on FAVERSHAM pubs by a doppleganger using the title of camraman1.
As far as I am aware, I am the only FOUNDER member of the Swale Branch of CAMRA still living in Swale.
To the pub, I find the Phoenix an excellewnt pub both for food & real ales,my favourite being Timothy Taylor's Landlord.
The landlord David deserves great credit for his many & various activities, I particularly found the evening with Martin Bell excellent.
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A fantastic pub with a relaxing atmosphere. I love going to this place and unwind after a stressful week. The staff are friendly and the food is excellent. I haven't had the pleasure of stew night yet bit I have heard it's amazing.
I was surprised to read camraman1's comments on here. He clearly has not got a clue about what makes a decent pub. The Camra society should be very worried about a person using their name in such a way as it does not reflect them in a good light.
I'm looking forward to my next visit to the phoenix this weekend. Hope to see you all there :-)
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Love the Phoenix. Great atmosphere, fabulous fires and great stew nights.
Hate the fact that anyone would run it down.
Always feel welcome and no where else I would rather be than in front of that fire on a Sunday lunch time.
Camraman1 sounds like a grumpy old git and if he doesn't like it then he shouldn't come back; to be fair he is not welcome.
Just a shame we don't get to publicly hang him... It was for charity after all.
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The Phoenix is an excellent pub which caters for a wide section of the local community (and those from further afield) and has a loyal following. The drinks selection is good and includes 4 excellent real ales; Harvey's is a permanent fixture and the other 3 pumps are regularly changing. A number of imaginative themed nights and activities such as quizzes and story telling evenings are run with local charities often benefiting from fund raising ideas.
The food is also excellent and the pub has a welcoming, informal and relaxing atmosphere.
The pub has been voted The Best Newcomer in the SE of England 2010 and fully deserves the accolade.
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An amazing turnaround from what it used to be like before David took over. The decor, the atmospher, the beer, the food, the staff, the fireplaces! So very welcoming and the staff are always pleased to see you. Who can resist their stew nights (such great value for money and yet quality, as always, exceptional). I don't understand where all the negative reviews are coming from, it just doesn't make sense! Just ridiculous poppycock! This pub has been recognised by 'The Great British Pub Awards' as best newcomer in the SE....., need I say more!? Keep up the good work David! The hardest working, beer and food loving, 'does so much for his regulars' Landlord in Faversham!
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A lovely pub with a very friendly, welcoming atmosphere. I have only been a "regular" for a year but have used the pub for many years. It is currently the busiest I've ever seen it and was shocked at the negative comments on this site about it, as I have never heard any negativity from anyone I know to have visited. The landlord has done extremely well to get the punters in with today's present climate. From poker nights to knitting evenings, street performances to a public hanging for charity. There really is Something for everyone!
After reading camraman1's negative comments, one was left wondering...if the staff and pub are that bad, why do you keep returning?!
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Camaraman 1 Should really lighten up and take a look at the bigger picture...
The Pheonix has been run very well and is continuing to hold it's head high in a difficult climate.. Mike does an exellent job and so do the staff .. Good to have a pub like this in town without the Shep's sign over the door.. Food Is great. Families are welcome to join in and you can take your dog.. How good can it get... If you don't like a busy pub.. Friendly people... AND Good beer... Try A pub somewhere eles....
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Not a lot going for it,very pricy! mike the'barman' has'nt realy a got a clue and seems to muddle his way, again in othr posts about other local pubs not he sort of place i want to eat in, to ma ny changes of chef? is a chef a chef or is the owner downsizing to what he thinks she be on tyhe menu?.
overall not a bad pub, beer needs to improve, drunks(habit drinkers at the end of the bar are intimidating)and should be moved on.
The owner should stop trying to shout about being the best "newcomer" and improve beer quality and atmosphere
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Still a safe bet after the initial settling in period, a very good sign. The choice of ales is always good and the food is highly acceptable. One criticism though .... everything is just a tad pricey! Can't have everything I suppose, but it's still good enough to recommend a visit.
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Visited one weekend, never again!!
Food- Poor
Drink- Very average
Staff- Rude
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After have spent many years away from this pub, I decided to go back to my old haunt. On arrival there were some changes to the decor inside, a new landlord and a friendly team behind the bar. The ale which was served was of good quality but at an extortionate price. The food menu looked interesting and although did not eat on this occasion i will most likely return to try the food.
Date of visit Sunday 07 March 10
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The Phoenix has indeed arisen � and doing well I am pleased to confirm.
Mike the Bar Manager always aims to have at least 3 real ales available and often 4 (on my last visit they had Harveys, Tim Taylor, King & Barnes & Tanglefoot) which are well kept and served. David, the new owner, has just commenced an Ale Club which meets once a month to give members the chance to discuss and select �alternative� ales for the next months offering � a great idea!
All the food is freshly prepared by Head Chef Nat with the bar food menu offering a good choice with some unusual dishes (try the Poor Mans potatoes!) all keenly priced.
The main Restaurant is a real treat. Expertly managed by Vanessa it is an inviting room with an edge of sophistication all creating an excellent dining atmosphere in which to enjoy the varied selection from the main menu � the mussels are a must!
Lots of pubs tend to be quiet early in the week and David is actively encouraging many other evening activities to crate an �involvement� with customers rarely seen these days.
Recommended & well worth a visit.
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Called in last week, what a let down! the owner is more interested in himself than running a good pub, beer is not up to much(run of the mill ales) not kept very well with over large head and over large price.
more going on in the resuruant than eating food, poetry evenings! how to big yourself up!
Pub needs to improve beer quality and reduce price, try some local ale and get rid of the big national brands.
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this is a dead pub
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Phoenix now open and doing well, three excellent beers always available (but pricey) and an upmarket but not too fancy menu which looks enticing. It's a bit too early to comment on the long term prospects because it has been packed every time I've dropped in. Well worth a visit though, I hope it proves a success because there are too few non-Sheps pubs available locally.
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Opening soon, will watch this one, the crew from the Anchor will soon be in residence, ales, NOT poncie food, pubs are pubs, not resturuants with a bar.
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Sadly the pub and any pretence of maintaining quality went downhill before it's ineviatable closure earlier this year. I have heard it's being revamped now and is due to reopen very soon. I am really looking forward to another non-Sheps house being available in Faversham They have set their standards too low lately and bit more healthy competition won't do anyone harm at all.
The Phoenix used to be a firm favourite of mine many years back...... Here's to it rising once again from the ashes. Cheers and all the best to the new owner,
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Omitted to mention my bad experience was at last years Hop festival. Reading other reviews, seems like it has closed down, shame really as it did good food. Was very slow service etc.
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Had a meal in the resteraunt, very nice, finished and paid the bill etc. returned later that evening with about 10 others (male & female) ordered and paid for drinks, went to take them outside, but the barman locked me in (others outside) and wouldn't let the others have their drinks. We were a group of couples ranging from 30 to 60 so not trouble makers. Ended up just abandoning the drinks and �20 + worse off.
Will NEVER go back there again. DONT BOTHER visiting, you may get ripped off.....
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It would seem Brian, the landlord, has disappeared. The pub is now closed and rumours abound about debts. Sad, really
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Nice small pub plus Thai food. Low ceilings beware. Has some alternatives to Shepherd Neame beer which understandably are the standard in almost all pubs in Faversham.
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tried 2 thai beers as well. a nice change
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New Thai chef makes a fantastic tomy yam, try her green chicken curry as well
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fantastic food in a very family orientated environment,
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Plenty of better pubs in Faversham. But perhaps I chose the wrong night.
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If you like your bitter served in Guinness glasses by the Landlord on a quiet session this is the pub for you.
anonymous - 8 Aug 2006 00:55 |
Thai food pub just off the high street. Gave it about 7 out of 10 for quality, but quite small portions. Service very poor - only 1 member of staff trying to do waitress and bar whilst the govnor wandered around holding a crying baby. Waited over 20 minutes for our bill. Shame really, had Level Best and King & Barnes real ales, quite good traditional decor. Perhaps I went on an off-day.
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