City Wall Wine Bar, Rochester

I visited this pub accidently back last December, enticed in with my girlfriend by the pushers deployed in the street to employ the hard sell on passers by. I think the offer was a free shot with every drink, which seemed worth a quick detour. I�d heard bad things about this place but I have to say I did enjoy my time here. Although it was dark and somewhat crowded, the Christmas lighting did give the place a nice feel and it was a refreshing change from my normal venues. The music was loud and a mixed bag, but a couple of tracks from the Killers, played back on sizable plasma screen, perked me right up.

Although the atmosphere was not menacing at all, I can�t say I could ever feel totally at ease here, perhaps it is the number of times this area has been featured on Street Wars or perhaps it�s just not my scene. That said I have no further complaints, it�s not a bar I�d choose to spend much time in but for what it is - an economical way to get yourself semi-sozzled before heading on to more appealing establishments - it works. Perhaps I visited on a good night or perhaps the place has an undeserved reputation for trouble, but either way I do not see myself becoming a regular but for the occasional �quick detour�. A questionable 6.

15 Mar 2009 16:44

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester

The Man of Kent is a refreshing anomaly, a defiant pocket of cool in an otherwise uninspired locality. With a strangely appealing shabbiness and enigmatic air of cool, you find it a little hard to believe that you are where you are; situated in Troy Town, Rochester, beside a Primary school... not exactly the trend quarter! But it works, inside you are confronted with a crazy bohemian interior; distressed like an old pair of Levis, walls plastered with random old crap and as many ale taps as customers! There is also an unusual intimacy about the place, and people feel quite free to chat to you from other tables.

At the bar you are offered a free sample, to help with the daunting decision of choosing from the vast selection of ales. I really enjoyed my time in this pub and relished the rare opportunity to sample ales from so many different local breweries. This gives the place great appeal, as it�s more than a drinking venue; it�s an exhibition and education in the variety of ale. Downsides? Well apart from being a bit of a trek to the next decent pub, the MOK could do with a jukebox overhaul, the music was very quiet, somewhat anonymous, and added nothing to the experience. That aside this is a superb public house and unrivalled for its own distinctive brand, a very high 8!

18 Oct 2008 17:42

The Tap 'n' Tin, Chatham

The Tap �N Tin is the flagship pub of the Medway towns� and it knows it! It does offer a unique experience: multiple dance floors catering for different tastes, multiple bars on 4 levels including an outdoor and cellar wine bar, live music from well established bands, 4 pool tables, break dancing and wrestling competitions, free BBQ food, a large outdoor area with seating and a very late license. It is a pretty vibrant place, a labyrinth of a pub with plenty going and everyone I�ve taken there has enjoyed themselves. There is no real competition for this kind of night out in the Medway area. On the flip side, not only is there a �5 entry fee - fair enough perhaps given what�s on offer- , but the drinks are also VERY expensive� a round for 2 people is very nearly �10! On top of this, the door staff are unnecessarily harsh and rude to people. My friend and I; never cause any trouble, look over 18, and have ID but are still made to feel like the door staff are doing us a favour by letting us in. This is quite unnecessary and something that should definitely be addressed. They could also do with spending a little money improving the toilets; the unisex toilet on the 3rd floor is in such a state it nearly made my girlfriend sick. This seems strange given the amount of investment the rest of the place seems to have had. All that said, I would still recommend the Tap, it�s a fun and lively place, with great music, and I have had some of my best nights out there. Sort out the toilets and the unnecessary arrogance and you�d have a truly great pub.

20 Sep 2008 22:35