Ship Inn, Sandgateback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
popped in a couple of times since my last post, well worth a visit, certainly wasn't disappointed with the range and quality of the ales on offer, the real ciders great if you dare, I think it was about 8% so not recommended if you stop off for a couple on your seaside walk from Folkestone, unless you get a cab back,
nice little area at the back on the sea front, food also very good, not the cheapest place but well worth it
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not really used the place, popped in for a coffee the morning of the Olympic torch relay, and was really impressed by the large range of ales and ciders on offer, unfortunately it was far to early for me to start sampling, but fully intend investigating further very soon
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My local pub for about 25 years. Had some fun times here. IPA always good and bar staff lovely. Never any trouble and a good mix of clientele from all age groups.
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a pub i had heard of but live 200 miles away. went in the pub had a incudbus beer which was good quality. in the front bar their are quite pictures of rugby union teams and even quite busy mid week afternoon soon found a seat.the back room of the pub lookedf a bit basic but clean. when leaving notice all the camra stickers in the window saying the pub had been in camra guide that year. some going back to the early 1990s a great pub
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Apart from the very beautiful bar staff this bar has very little going for it, unless you like the very cliquey, boring people, oh and the smell of the nearby public toilet and sewarage outflow, then you will love this place.
Its a real shame because their new extention must have cost a fortune.
I suppose that's why everybody is packed in like stowaways{ inn the ship}whilst they take in that very special ' Eau de Toilette' which fills the air.
Not to mention some useless herbert who pretends to be the pub landlord by going around collecting glasses whilst breathing his foul smelling bad breadth in your direction whilst dictating his dislikes to anybody around.
If this is this sort of place you are used to, then good luck, ...don't forget the gas mask!
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Perfectly pleasant and comfortable pub nestled between the sea and the looming hill - and the busy road to Hythe/Folkestone. Parking might be an issue, but on my previous visit a space was easily procured. This enabled the sampling of the well-kept Harvey's Old, nice to see this fine beer in this part of East Kent. The barmaid was efficient and courteous and the other clientele, mainly aging diners partaking of the very reasonably priced lunch, well mannered. There is nothing exceptional about this pub other than for the fact that it hasn't been ruined by forced upmarket or by some ill-judged makeover. It's a civil, simple pub that keeps its beer well.
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Good to see you took my advice to "get out more" but if your going to post comments which obviously will be read by others expect to take the consequences. Also what is this obsession about your "drop in income", it couldn't of been that drastic or you still wouldn't be going out drinking!
ETone - 11 Nov 2009 19:39 |
The advice to get out more is much appreciated, too. I was such a big fan of the Ship that once my income dropped substantially and I became unable to afford to go out, I would make that my occasional treat, though in recent times it became a big disappointment because of the sort of reception I got, or sometimes even didn't get.
I'm quite prepared to believe that I'm just unlucky, that at some point prior to my ever posting on this website, I had incurred the displeasure of the landlord in some way unbeknown to me (perhaps it was the drop in income that did it! Who knows?).
A regular customer for 8 years who has never said anything bad about the place to anyone, nor uttered a complaint, I once dare to make a negative comment, ONLY when asked by the landlord why I had left quietly one evening after having waited an inordinately long time to be served or even noticed by any but the barmaid who went off shift a few minutes after I arrived and my complaint is treated with contempt (and not with politeness at all, as "laura_1987" said). Charming, not. I do not need to be told not to go back.
However, what I will attempt to do is to request yet again for my first comment to removed (as I did the day after I posted it) and will also ask for my second to be removed, since frankly the less said about that the better! I can do no more than that. I do not wish this comment to be removed, since the landlord has chosen to publicly attempt to vilify me in the most disgusting manner for daring to criticise and particularly for the previous posting, I now feel this is the only place I can defend myself from his accusations.
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Well, having asked for my previous comment to be removed the day after I posted it using the "report this for removal" button, this clearly has not happened. However, I did not post anything that was not true and whilst I am sure there are many satisfied customers, this has been my personal experience. I find "the barmaid" laura_1987's comments quite amusing. Yes, on this occasion I did expect someone to be serving, and since the pub was sparsely populated with customers and I was the only one waiting, I didn't think it would be too much to ask. I never accused the barmaid of being anything other than polite and friendly, but to be left high and dry at the bar like that was not something one should expect in a pub. The only reason this happened was because of the way I was treated when I dared to complain, even though my complaint was an honest one and only made at the request of the landlord. In 8 years I had not made any complaints except once about the beer and yes indeed it was changed immediately. So to be treated like that on that occasion was just too much.
Laura_1987, if you are still working as a barmaid, how about alerting other staff members of a customer who has been waiting some time before knocking off your shift? And no, as I'd already said, I shan't be going in the Ship again and only did last night because I was with a group of people who wanted to go. I have survived without it for 4 months and I'm sure I can survive without it much longer. As for didn't want to "wait a few more seconds", when one has been largely ignored for the better part of 15 minutes in an empty pub with 3 staff members present, it is difficult to predict how long that "few seconds" will stretch to, and everyone has their exasperation point. I didn't make a big deal of it the time, neither did I intend to.
Lastly, I would like to apologise to the landlord's wife and daughter, who have never been anything but lovely and pleasant to me, particularly the landlord's wife who is probably the sweetest person alive. I will also say that in general the staff are great. There is only one person in that place who has made me feel that way and only one reason why I don't go back. I understand the others have taken it personally, but it was never meant that way. Still, family is family and I understand.
I did go back, rather hoping my previous comment had been removed as I requested because I really don't like trouble and besides I am really not proud of it. This is not the way to go about the thing, but the matter is over now. I am sure the landlord sees fit to treat me this way because seldom bring hoards of friends in with me. I USED to think this pub was a good place for a quiet drink and to be left in peace if one wanted (although a drink would be nice!), but obviously I don't think that now, since on the last 3 occasions, it has ended quite badly. So I already got the message, thanks, hence my original post.
Amusingly, amongst the many viscious personal insults the landlord heaped upon me last night, he said with great contempt last night "why on earth should we run around and serve YOU drinks?". Erm, well, because it's a PUB, perhaps? On second thoughts, keep it.
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Having only moved to Sandgate recently I was surprised by Lazylaurablues review of The Ship. I've always received excellent service even on busy days but just like any other pub you may have to wait a bit longer if its busy. I've always found the staff and landlord very welcoming, even more so at present with the ongoing disruption due to building work. Perhaps Lazylaurablues should get out a bit more and worry about the more important things in life.
ETone - 25 Sep 2009 14:10 |
I have found "the barmaid in question" to be friendly, pleasant and a real asset to this pub. Lazylaurablue says she got good service but a lousy attitude - I'm not sure those 2 statements are consistent. I alwyas pop in here for a pint when I'm in the vicinity, and although not a regular, I'm always treated well by staff and customers alike. The beer is also excellent, and on the one occasion I mentioned the beer was turning, my comment was well received.
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After reading this customers comments, as the bar maid in question I would like to put my point across... When you say, quote ' the barmaid who had been there when I arrived decided to knock off' I did not decide to 'knock off' i had been at work and my shift was coming to an end, what would you of liked me to do wait until every customer is served? That would be impossibe in a pub as I would never of left my place of work!! I don't understand where it comes into it how long you had been at work, you mentioned that I had not been at work as long as you, I never disputed that, I am sure we both work just as hard as each other at our jobs. If I remember correctly you walked out before the landlord's daughter could serve you. It is unfortuante that when you turned up at the pub it was staff change over ( I was finishing my shift and x was starting) You also failed to mention that when the land lords daughter walked in she said 'hello, will only be a minute'. The second evening you are talking about I was also there. The landlord asked you if you walked of in a huff because he wanted to know if someone had upset you in any way. When you then said it was because, basically you couldnt wait a few more seconds it then became clear it is not then a big deal, as it was not. The rubbish about the landlord being different with men than he is women is a load of rubbish. I personally felt that I was polite and friendly with you everytime you came to the pub! Anyway I replied on here as I wanted to say my opinion on the matter, I would say see you soon but I am sure you will not be entering the FAMOUS SHIP INN again!!
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There's no doubt the beer is good. There's no doubt the food is good. However, the hospitality of the landlord is erratic and frequently non-existant and the service is often very slow and quite poor. It just depends who's on.
Having been welcomed into the pub when I moved to the area 7 years ago when I had a good job I spent quite a lot of money in there as a regular. They were also only too willing to take my money after I was made redundant, although I frequently got the impression from the landlord that as a solo female, although regular, I was not ranked as high as male customers because the landlord would never serve me until he had served everyone else, no matter how long I had been waiting. Yet my money seemed good enough to take.
Recently, I popped in on the spur of the moment one Friday early evening directly after a long and stressful day at work for a peaceful glass of wine. The barmaid said hello, but was in the middle of serving someone in the other bar. The landlord came down and saw me but served someone who had just arrived in the other bar without bothering to ask who was first (par for the course, I'm afraid). The the landlord's daugther arrived, the barmaid who had been there when I arrived decided to knock off, happily telling me she was glad it was time to go home as she had been at work since x o/clock (a good deal less time than me). I've worked bars before and there's no way I would go home withough serving someone who had just arrived particularly if they were the only person waiting in the bar, which I was. They all stood round by the till having a chat as the landlorrd told his daughter what needed doing, none of which at any time involved serving their only waiting customer - me. After realising that I was going to be ignored, I left, admittedly none too happy.
A week or so later I went in, again for a quiet drink on my way home after an entertaining evening elsewhere. I ordered a glass of wine and sat in the deserted back bar to read the local paper. I forgot all about the previous occasion. The landlord came in and demanded to know if I had gone off in a huff on the previous occasion. He was very confrontation and I did not want an argument. I told him very quietly that I had left because I hadn't been served and he made some excuses and then a contemptuous noise as if to say that I was being unreasonable before he left the bar again, spoiling what had up to that point been a very pleasant evening. I hadn't been going to bring the subject up, but seeing as he had and I had been honest, not aggressive or confrontational; I did not ask for an apology, but I did not expect this derisive dismissal of my complaint as if the only reason he had asked me my opinion was to rubbish it.
In short, good service, good beer, but a lousy attitude from the management and I won't be going back.
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Another good Kentish pub with great beer and friendly locals. I was greeted like a long-lost friend (never met any of them before) and was sorry to leave.
Who cares about the seats and bogs in a pub like this? If you're more interested in comfort than good beer, go to a Weatherspoons.
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A very good pint, not particularly cheap. But the welcome was warm, aswell as the October sun on the outside terrace.Looking towards France and reflecting on the rugby victory. High tide, fine views, good beer;what more could a chap want? Apart from a feisty woman of course.
mally - 16 Oct 2007 23:48 |
Fine beer in here and very good food. Tacky is not the word for this place. If you run out of ciggies, you can just lick the walls for a near fatal nicotine hit. Possibly the nastiest gents loos in Sandgate. All that said, this place is excellent, with very good staff and booze and chilling out in one of the bars, or outside, is totally recommended. Sometimes get some right dirty bits of minge from SAGA in there to cheer up the wasted old boys. Check your spine is in good order - the seats will cripple you.
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Popped in for an early one Monday evening. Had a beer on the landlord's recommendation - and excellent it was. It's a proper pub, insofar as it's unspoilt by IKEA flat pack rubbish and pale yellow wood flooring. The landlord obviously cares more about his beer than a bit of peeling wallpaper.
There is a notice prohibiting the use of mobile phones - put up at the request of the locals. Hooray! One unfortunate forgot to turn his off, and was given a load of good-natured abuse by his pals.
First time I've been in for a couple of years, but it's still a good pub.
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'A nice pub for nice people' with 'proper beer in a proper pub' as the Landlord says. Mix of locals and passing trade, unobtrusive music and no fruit machines. A freehouse with always an interesting range of ales (usually 3-6), lagers (3-4 including proper Budweiser), and Kentish cider. Stuart is a character (been working there too long possibly) and has a good eye for recruiting barmaids. A fun quiz (none of your semi-professional teams and leagues here) on Tuesdays. Interesting decor...
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Good selection of real ales though gravity dispensed and a bit warm from the bar. Good value homely food. A proper local and always friendly service.
Addickted - 29 Apr 2005 21:49 |
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