BITE user comments - Jack_Spraggon
Comments by Jack_Spraggon
Refurbishment (see below) has now taken place - and nicely done too.
This pub is now blessed with eight hand pumps - four of them devoted to Greene King beers and the other four to the beers of Kent independent brewers. Beers well kept, but the drawback is their prices - which are frightful!
24 Jul 2011 09:30
Been here twice since it reopened. Very nicely done out with friendly service. Food takes precedence, but there is still room to just drink a refreshing pint if you have come down the hill from the South Downs Way. Also, sandwiches on the menu, which I always see as a good sign - I don't usually want a sit down meal when walking.
One of the best pub signs around too! Recommended.
26 Jun 2011 11:19
I liked this place. Multiple menu blackboards are usually a warning that you will be expected to eat a meal, but I was glad to see locals chatting over a drink and a tasty looking range of snacks to go with your beer as well as a full lunch menu. We ate, as it happened, and found the food excellent value.
Was sad to see that only one real ale pump was in action (there were signs that two was the norm), but an exemplary pint of Harveys Best came out of it.
22 May 2011 21:06
Lunched in the Tap Room during Rye Bay Scallop Festival. Beautifully appointed bar, charming bar staff, interesting selection of well kept beers and home made pork scratchings.
Unfortunately the food turned out to be execrable. Our 'Scallop, Cod and Saffron Leek Pie' turned out to be a mush of volcanically hot mashed potato, the faintest hint of scallop and cod, no leeks or saffron and (worst) bulked out with farmed salmon. We also saw people consuming Scallops with salad, in which the scallops had clearly been sliced into three - so about 1.5 scallops per �7+ serving.
Back to the good points - we complained about the 'pie', our complaint was taken seriously and were not charged for it. We were told a new head chef is imminent. I sincerely hope so, because they have got everything else right.
19 Feb 2011 11:58
I visited the Royal Oak for the first time yesterday and thought it was a fantastic pub. Good chioce of well kept beers, three perrys and two ciders. They supplied good food to our party of 17: interesting bread and amazing cheeses. The bar staff and locals were friendly and made us all feel very welcome. Also a really interesting building, nice spot. I will recommmend it to all my friends and am certainly planning another trip there soon. Thank you.
We were on a brewery visit to the Drak Star brewery at Partridge Green and they paid for the food, so thanks for that.
10 Oct 2010 20:14
The Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells
Thanks to the managers of the Royal Oak! They have now taken some steps to refurbish the toilets, their efforts are greatly appreciated, a lick of paint and new fixtures and fittings make all the difference.
As usual a brilliant choice of well kept beers, friendly bar staff and a wonderful atmosphere. If you are a grown-up and you like a nice night out look no further. I recommend this place to everyone I meet.
Mrs Spraggon
10 Oct 2010 20:05
The Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells
I see my partner has hijacked my login (see below).
Excellent beers, excellent staff. One of my favourite places for a civilized drink in Tunbridge Wells. Food looks very interesting, although I have yet to sample it.
However, 'Mrs Spraggon's' comments about the Ladies apply equally to the Gents!
26 Jul 2010 16:30
The Royal Oak, Tunbridge Wells
The new landlords have really turned this into an excellent place for a drink, a warm and friendly atmosphere, well trained staff, great selction of beers and plenty of space to sit and chat without being annoyed by loud music. The monthly jazz lunchtimes are great. However, the experience is spoilt by the terrible ladies toilets: dirty, dark, peeling wall paper, broken soap and towel dispensers, fithy flooring and graffitti everywhere. I don't expect they've decororated for decades. I know they have already invested alot in the pub and refurbishment may be in their future plans but it doesn't cost much to clean the toilets properly or replace the soap!
1 Jun 2010 10:25
Have been an irregular visitor to Sankeys over many years and have witnessed its recent ups and downs - notably the latter, as per the other comments below.
Having heard that there had been a change in management (although still within the family), I have paid a couple of investigatory visits - one on a Thursday night, one on a Sunday lunchtime. Found a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere - friendly staff and no bouncers or coke-heads. Log fire burning on both occasions. Goachers and a house-beer brewed by Westerham Brewery on handpump + the traditional Sankeys selection of interesting keg beers. Intend to return to sample the new menu soon.
What a relief to have this essential piece of Tunbridge Wells back.
14 Feb 2010 19:09
The Rose and Crown, Tunbridge Wells
This pub has recently been given a makeover - hideous Regency Stripe wallpaper removed without, happily, destroying its local boozer atmosphere.
Have Harvey's Best and a guest ale. Menu looks promising but have yet to try it.
Two fires burning in here all winter - a rare treat in TW these days.
Bar billiards still there.
17 May 2008 21:59
An absolute favourite. Slightly bohemian, and all the better for that. Have never been in there without getting engaged in friendly conversation with either staff or other customers.
Always have an interesting selection of beers and a draught scrumpy.
17 May 2008 21:54
Superb beer - especially if you like dark ales. Frequently has festivals on bank holidays.
Can't see why anybody found it unfriendly - landlord and barmaid always delightful - just not 'have a nice day' gushing.
High quality pub grub on offer too.
A fire in the winter is all that is needed to make this pub perfect.
17 May 2008 21:49
Back to Jack_Spraggon's profile
The Bedford, Tunbridge Wells
A great opportunity to drink local Kent beers, including a number which are not normally seen in this neck of the woods - among them the splendid products of Eddy Gadd from the other end of the county.
Black mark for atmosphere however, as the bar staff seem to be obsessed with playing pounding rock music (at least on Friday evenings). This is totally at odds with the type of clientele and the generally conversation-friendly set up of this one-bar pub.
17 Oct 2012 18:32