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The Butchers Arms, Herne Bay
Herne
Postal town: Herne Bay
CT6 7HL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Butchers Arms
The original micropub and I had intended it to be my first of the day, but when it unaccountably didn't open at 12 noon as advertised, I went on to seven others in Herne Bay and Margate before trying again here on my way back to my accommodation. It transpired that the owner had attended a funeral though he didn't bother to explain why a note to this effect was not affixed to the front door. He'd obviously had a suitable amount to drink before evening opening at his own pub, and there were four or five other people in when I arrived, meaning the place was pretty close to full.
As with most of the micros I'd visited, there are no hand pumps and in this case no bar counter or till, change being dug out of the owner's trouser pocket. The beers are kept on stillage in a cold room which doubles as the corridor leading to the toilet. My half of Old Dairy Uber was in very good condition, though not really to my taste.
This is a seriously small pub and not one for those who prefer not to engage in conversation when drinking. Luckily I'd had just enough beer spread over the course of the afternoon to make me happy enough to join in with the lively banter before getting back on my bike for my (as it turned out) safe and uneventful return to Canterbury.
Date of visit: 1st May 2019
On 30th May 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3752 recommendations about 3487 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
. Wittenden left this review about Butchers Arms
My first visit here:highly impressed. Packed to the gunnels on a dank and bleak January Saturday noon with a works outing from Pfizers.So crowded, in fact, that I wasn't really able to admire all the paraphernalia stowed around the room. In spite of the hordes, Martyn the Guv'nor found time to welcome me and to reminisce about the glory days of my one time local,the Smarden Bell.
I really enjoyed my brief visit and the cracking pint of Burning Sky's Plateau.
On 15th January 2018
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 283 recommendations about 282 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Butchers Arms
If you like good beer, a good chat and to meet friendly and likeminded people, then you have to visit here. This micro can be found in Herne Common, which was a 20 min walk from Herne Bay train station. There is also a good bus service and a taxi rank next to the station, if there is a few of you.
Opened in 2006 and was the first Micro pub in the country, running solo for several years. The reaction from the local Camra members was one of disbelief and scepticism. One of the questions was, what if you have to nip out for something, who will look after the place. Martyn the owner replied, one of my mates will step in for a while. Now there are three hundred micros and counting around the country.
Four ales on stillage in the cold room, on our visit. Oakham JHB, Adnams Broadside, Dark Star and Old Dairy Copper Top. I went for the Old Dairy and Gadds APA, which came available half way through our lunchtime session. We got the No. 6 bus opposite the pub, along with our fellow Medway alers, and the landlady waved us off on the bus, as she was brushing the pavement outside the front of the pub, which was a nice touch.
On 17th June 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Butchers Arms
The original micropub is one of the smaller ones and something of a contrast to Parkerville the latest one in the Herne Bay area. Herne village is separate from Herne Bay giving this place almost the feel of a small country pub. It's a single small room with no bar and beers bought out by the friendly Landlord. It's been open quite a few years now so is well worn in. There were several locals in on my early Saturday afternoon visit.
Six beers were available Adnam's Broadside & Tally Ho, Mighty Oak Maldon Gold & Kings and Old Dairy Copper Top & Silver Top. I went for the Tally Ho (£3.95) as it was a beer I hadn't encountered for years and it was excellent. As the blueprint for hundreds of other places including four in Herne Bay itself this is one that has to be visited.
On 2nd January 2017
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
James Joines left this review about Butchers Arms
Cracking place the first Micro Pub only had time for a couple of pints both in top order. Small place room for about 20 people and no bar, drinks fetched from the back as required.
Not open Sunday or Monday.
Public car park at the rear.
NO LAGER
On 23rd April 2013
- rating: 10
[User has posted 841 recommendations about 835 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about Butchers Arms
The smallest pub in Kent …and one of the smallest in the country. Converted from an old butcher’s shop some years ago by licensee Martyn Hillier, there are usually four to five beers on gravity, dispensed from out in the old cold store. Beer quality was excellent all-round and served in jugs too if you wished. Ale range has Fullers and Dark Star as regulars, with a couple of guests (usually local) thorn in on top. No lager here, so don’t ask! Atmosphere provided solely by the punters: no TV, radio or music but lots of chat. A no-mobile policy is enforced rigidly and an old device is nailed to the wall as fair warning. Capacity is probably around 20 (the place apparently measures 15' by 12') and inevitably seating gets awkward if there are more than seven or eight punters in attendance, which is pretty much all the time. Plenty of artefacts to have a look at, including old butchers implements (some of the old chopping blocks have been converted to tables which is a nice touch). I was a bit less sure by the cheap plastic meat products suspended from the ceiling though. Also plenty of breweriana to gaze at and a smile was raised by the bottle of Sheps ale hanging from a noose. Beware the unusual opening hours: it normally closes between 1.30 and 6pm but Martyn kindly agreed to stay open a bit longer for our coach party. As the original ‘micropub’ (a term coined by the landlord himself) this really is a must-visit. However those lacking social interaction skills may get a bit less enjoyment out of the place – you’ve got to be prepared to throw yourself into it.
On 1st December 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5108 recommendations about 5091 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Manky Badger left this review about Butchers Arms
This place is never open. I'm reliably assured that it does open, ableit for only a couple of hours a day, but I have *never* found it open.
On 10th August 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Butchers Arms
One of a kind. Only had time for a quick pint of Dark Star Porter, but could happily have stayed all day. Now open on Sunday lunchtimes.
On 15th February 2009
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]