Secret Drinker

Secret Drinker reviews Shepherd Neame’s Castle Inn beside Bodiam Castle in East Sussex. The historic inn is praised for its attractive interiors, extensive garden, terrace, efficient initial service and refreshing drinks, especially the First Drop IPA. However, the £13 chicken and prawn sandwiches are considered disappointing because of dry bread and sparse fillings, while service slows during the second visit to the bar. The pub is judged a strong destination for drinks and Sunday lunches in pleasant weather, but its food represents poor value.

The White Hart Inn in Canterbury is presented as a hidden city-centre pub with an extensive, attractive garden featuring colourful planting, shaded seating and covered areas. The reviewer praises the fresh baguettes, chips, homemade coleslaw, cleanliness and well-kept décor, while noting that one member of staff was less engaging than two younger colleagues. Drinks and food were considered reasonably good, though prices were not especially competitive. The pub offers dog-friendly seating, senior meal deals and student beer discounts, and is ultimately recommended for its peaceful and impressive garden.

The Secret Drinker gives The Woodcock Inn in Iden Green a strongly positive review, praising its meticulous upkeep, attractive garden, welcoming staff, dog-friendly approach and carefully managed atmosphere. A shared lunch of baked Camembert, a chicken Caesar wrap and tart au citron with raspberry sorbet was judged superb, with drinks included costing just under £60 for two. The pub is characterized as a secluded, slightly upmarket village free house offering good value despite relatively high prices, and it receives five-star ratings for decor, food and staff, four stars for drink, and three for price.

Sonder, a busy craft-beer pub and live-music venue at 11–13 Charlotte Street in Broadstairs, is praised for its extensive IPA selection, atmospheric listed-building interior, stained-glass windows and welcoming door staff. The reviewer enjoyed Weihenstephaner wheat beer and Left Handed Giant Brewery’s Reality Lag hazy pale ale, though drinks were considered expensive at £7 and £7.20 a pint. The venue’s main drawbacks were its crowded layout and shortage of toilets, with only one downstairs toilet serving most customers.

The Secret Drinker gives the Jolly Fisherman in Greatstone a largely positive review, praising its fresh, well-prepared food—especially the cod burger and onion rings—friendly staff, clean premises and the landlord’s efforts to improve the pub. The Sunday carvery is recommended and reportedly popular with locals. Drinks receive a mixed assessment: Sauvignon Blanc, Guinness and a cheaper IPA are viewed favorably, while the £7.50 Stonewall IPA is considered overpriced. Minor drawbacks include an obstructive table, cigarette ends outside and a broken urinal, but the pub is judged to be a welcoming and well-run seaside venue.

The Shakespeare, a historic beachfront pub on Canterbury Road in Margate, is praised for its spectacular sunset views, welcoming atmosphere, efficient staff and varied draught drinks. The review highlights the Floc Whisper IPA and Stiegl Goldbrau, while noting that prices are relatively high, at £6.65 and £6.30 respectively. The pub retains traditional features alongside fashionable, unfinished-looking décor and offers a lively but relaxed setting without conventional pub amusements.

The Secret Drinker visits the Rising Sun in Beltinge during England’s World Cup match against Mexico. The community pub is described as welcoming and highly energetic, with locals and staff enthusiastically sharing in England’s victory. The review praises the friendly service, live music and community events, while criticizing the excessive fairy lights, limited real ale selection and relatively high drink prices. The pub receives four stars for staff, three for décor, and two each for drinks and price.

The Secret Drinker reviews the Embassy Roadhouse, a truck stop and bar on Ramsgate Road in Sandwich. The venue offers a lounge, dining area, outdoor seating, showers, laundry facilities, gym equipment, bike hire and a supermarket shuttle. The reviewer praises the clean facilities, efficient staff, welcoming atmosphere and newly created outdoor area, while noting that the drinks selection is limited. Food, including a zapiekanka and cajun chicken baguette, is described as freshly cooked and good value. The review highlights exceptionally low prices, awarding four stars for both value and food, and suggests returning for the £7.95 English breakfast.

The Secret Drinker visits The New Inn, a Shepherd Neame pub on Woodlawn Street in Whitstable, after avoiding the noisier outdoor crowd at the neighbouring Fountain. The review praises the pub for preserving its traditional backstreet character alongside a sports-bar area with pool tables, darts and televisions. The pub was quiet early in the evening before attracting a younger group of customers. First Drop IPA cost £5.50 during happy hour and Hurlimann cost £6.20 at normal hours. The reviewer found the staff pleasant, the toilets generally clean and the pub respectful of local residents, while noting limited evening sunlight, narrow access, a faint smell in the toilets and relatively high drink prices.

A Secret Drinker review finds the Jolly Knight and Ye Arrow to be two differently branded bars within the same Rochester pub premises, linked by a corridor and sharing facilities. The reviewer praises the good-value food, affordable wine and beer, attentive staff and outdoor seating with views of Rochester Castle, while noting the confusing layout, darker front bar, limited draught selection there and basic entertainment options. Overall, the venue is judged to cater to varied weekday and weekend clientele and offer strong value for money.

The Secret Drinker gives the White Rock Inn in Underriver a highly favourable review, highlighting its peaceful, well-maintained beer garden, welcoming landlords and traditional country-pub setting. The Tonbridge Blonde Ambition ale, Hawkstone Lager and Sauvignon Blanc are well received, while the fresh, generously portioned Caesar salad and bacon-and-brie baguette also earn praise despite relatively high prices. The pub is presented as an especially appealing summer destination, with additional features including a pétanque pitch, fireplaces, board games and an electric vehicle charging point.

Players Bar in Ashford, formerly the Phoenix, is portrayed as having undergone a major transformation since a highly negative 2022 review. The venue is now brighter, cleaner and more cheerful, with additional lighting, dartboards, pool tables, televisions and a free jukebox. Barmaid Esta receives exceptional praise for improving the atmosphere, repainting the premises, helping customers and preparing food for pool teams. The reviewer found the Level Head IPA good and well priced at £5.10, while a large Sauvignon Blanc cost £5.90. Despite remaining limitations, including the town-centre setting and stairs to the toilets, the bar is considered to be moving decisively in the right direction.

The Secret Drinker visits The Glass House, a café-bar and live-music venue at 22 High Street, Ashford, which shares its address and entrance with Reeves and Co Solicitors. The venue has an industrial, American-bar-style interior, clean but compact toilets, limited seating indoors and space for outdoor seating in warmer weather. Drinks included a £9.75 large Sauvignon Blanc and a £4.40 pint of Glasshouse lager, while the £4 hummus and pitta was praised as fresh and well presented. Despite a tatty sofa and a relatively plain setting, the reviewer found the bar welcoming and enjoyable, highlighting its potential as a busy live-music venue.

The Queen Street Tap in Deal is presented as a recently refurbished sports bar and hotel in a convenient location near the railway station, with attractive shabby-chic décor, live music, TVs, pool and darts. Staff are described as pleasant, and the drinks selection is generally adequate, though Guinness was unavailable and the first Doom Bar was underfilled. The review is dominated by an exceptionally foul smell from the gents’ toilet, which the reviewer says must be located and remedied. Prices range from £5 for Doom Bar to £6.50 for Red Stripe and Moretti; food was not sampled.

Secret Drinker visits The Flying Boat, a J.D. Wetherspoon pub on Spital Street in Dartford, shortly after 8am to try its small breakfast and beer deal. The £5.94 combination of breakfast and a pint is praised for its value, while the Portobello American Pale Ale and Leffe receive favorable comments. The Grade II listed former horse-drawn vehicle showroom offers plentiful seating, large windows and an extensive drinks selection, but the reviewer criticizes inattentive and rude service and an exceptionally sticky men's toilet floor. The pub earns four stars for décor and drinks, three for food, five for price and one for staff.

Secret Drinker visits the George & Dragon in Fordwich after deciding that the nearby Fordwich Arms was too expensive and its terrace was closed. The George & Dragon receives praise for its historic building, riverside garden, fresh and tasty food, welcoming staff and family-friendly features. However, prices remain high for a fishcake, steak sandwich, wine and beer, while the Brunning & Price traditional bitter is judged bland and lacking depth. The reviewer ultimately suggests that the quieter, Michelin-starred Fordwich Arms might have been worth the additional cost, although only drinks were sampled there.

The Secret Drinker reviews the New Flying Horse, a Shepherd Neame country inn in Wye near Ashford. The pub is praised for its extensive, well-maintained gardens, fresh and generously portioned food, good drinks, live-music offering, family-friendly atmosphere and warm welcome for dogs and overnight guests. The reviewer enjoyed baked brie, halloumi fries, fish and chips, Whitstable Bay Pale Ale and wine, but found some drinks expensive. Service was inconsistent, with staff occasionally more focused on socialising than customers, and the ladies’ toilet reportedly could not be flushed. Overall, the inn is considered an attractive and lively destination with room for improvement in service.

The Secret Drinker gives The Brenchley in Maidstone a highly favorable review, praising its imposing historic building, restored décor, glass-domed ceiling, extensive indoor space and unusually large outdoor areas. A tuna melt panini and Courage Best cost £7.50 as part of a meal deal, while a pint of Moretti costs £6.50. The food and drink were judged satisfactory, though the reviewer disliked the liquid American-style cheese. Staff members Ed and Natalie were described as friendly and proud of the venue. Despite its proximity to a Wetherspoon pub, The Brenchley is considered to offer a distinctive experience, including a rooftop late-night bar and carefully preserved historical features.

The Secret Drinker visits the Golden Lion, a 15th-century pub in Broad Oak, Canterbury, and initially finds it deserted and difficult to identify as open. Landlord Colin and Amanda explain that the pub supports numerous darts and bat-and-trap teams, while the review also praises its well-maintained garden, sports facilities, dining space and clean amenities. The Iron Wharf bitter and Hurlimann lager cost £6 a pint, with the drink and staff receiving favourable assessments. Despite its strong community and sporting facilities, the reviewer concludes that the pub needs much clearer signage and more promotion to attract customers.

The Secret Drinker visits the Red Dog, a traditional free house in High Halstow on the Hoo Peninsula, and finds a rough-around-the-edges but welcoming community pub beside St Margaret’s churchyard. The review praises its authentic atmosphere, friendly staff, inexpensive local draught beers, clean toilets and good-value food, including baguettes with chips and salad. Décor and wine are basic, but the pub receives four-star ratings for price and staff, with the reviewer concluding that it offers classic pub grub and a strong bond with its local community.

The Secret Drinker visits the historic Bell Inn in Minster near Ramsgate for an evening of drinks. The pub has been modernised while retaining traditional features such as low beams, sash windows and horse brasses, and it offers extensive dining, a large garden, live music and a broad dessert selection. Service is busy but competent, although several draught drinks—including Camden Hells, cider and Guinness—are unavailable. Drinks that were served were generally well received, particularly the blush wine, while prices ranged from £5.20 for Doom Bar to £7.35 for a large glass of wine. The reviewer plans to return to sample the food.

The Secret Drinker gives the historic Crispin Inn on Sandwich High Street a strongly positive review, praising its 15th-century character, busy midweek atmosphere, friendly staff and lack of unnecessary entertainment features. The pub offers a varied draught selection, including Harvey’s Sussex Best, Timothy Taylor Landlord, Adnams Ghost Ship and Cruzcampo, with prices ranging from £4.70 to £6.10 per pint. The front bar is lively and rustic, while the darker back room provides a more comfortable dog-free space. Despite some congestion near the bar and a few minor maintenance and décor observations, the reviewer concludes that the popular traditional inn is thriving and well supported by local customers.

The Secret Drinker visits The Lanthorne, a community-focused pub in a residential part of St Peter’s, Broadstairs, and finds a well-kept venue with sports screens, pool and darts, a large patio, dog-friendly policies and a friendly local atmosphere. The pub offers limited draught beer, including Gadds Seasider, which receives strong praise, while Madri is considered comparatively expensive. The reviewer recommends making a special effort to visit, despite the establishment being focused on drinks rather than food.