The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester

Only narcissistic, cliquey masochists need apply...

One of Rochester's saddest losses. What used to be a friendly, welcoming and excellent pub has now become a clinical pit of desperately disparate hipsterism and pretence which leaves a sour taste. This will only worsen in time with the rise in soulless accommodation springing up all around it.

Despite the variety of beverages and live music, the atmosphere can only be paralleled with that of the Third Reich. Embodied by the landlady, a sour air of vindictive pomposity now seeps into every facet of what used to be a fine establishment. I know of nowhere else which will serve you a stupidly potent array of drinks and then proceed to squish any of the potential sociability or joviality out of its patrons with its condescendingly hard-line attitude. It's a paradoxical, self defeating farce.

If you really enjoy paying to be frowned upon by a contemptibly elitist matriarch, whilst cramped in a confused coop of a bar, by all means take your chance. I for one shall be taking my custom elsewhere, like the humble yet excellent Good Intent just around the corner or indeed any of the numerous and fantastic establishments we are lucky to have on our doorsteps in Rochester.

13 Jun 2014 14:07