The Railway Hotel, Dartford

This large pub is ideally located next to Dartford train station and although it’s not going to win any awards I have been in far worse places. There area a couple of pool tables in the far right hand side and there is a lounge type area to the left. The bar is located in the middle and a standard draught selection is available, although the Fosters and Carlsberg were both off during my visit leaving only Stella. I didn’t mind though as I was served a decent pint of Guinness that came in at a very reasonable price. I didn’t see anyone eating, but there are numerous signs up advertising cheap food that seemed to mainly consist of burgers etc and there is a curry club on Thursday nights. The pub shows Sky Sports and there are a couple of projector screens alongside the TVs that are located throughout the pub. Some outside seating is located at the rear, but it’s not the most comfortable and mainly aimed at smokers.

Built in 1851, 2 years after the railway came to Dartford, the Railway Hotel is a rather down market pub but typical of the many pubs built primarily to service the short term requirements of rail travellers. The Railway is basically 3 rooms knocked through although they do have a separate identity. The main area nearest the station is a carpeted lounge albeit rather basic in approach with a couple of TV's largely used for sport. Down a few steps is a smaller central bare floor area with just a couple of high chairs and tables and another small TV. Beyond the pillars, in what used to be a totally separate function room (and home to the Dartford Folk Club for many years) is a games room containing 3 pool tables. The pub is quite vibrant and with all the plasma screens, fruit machines and video jukebox, they must burn enough electricity to light up a small nation. The clientele can be a mix of the occasional suited and booted just off the train types to a more permanent regular base of rather unsavoury looking stereotypical characters wandering around shirtless and flaunting their tattooes although to be fair, I have never witnessed any trouble in here. The beers are keg bitters and lagers only (no real ales) and sold at discount prices. The food is also basic and cheap (2 burgers for £5.45). If your idea of a good pub is cheap beer, a game of pool and Karaoke on a Sunday then you could probably spend a good evening here. Otherwise, you will find the pub rather lacking any class or finesse but OK to meet someone for a quick pint before / after getting off a train.