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Pub Of The Month - 2024 with Tris39
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Detail Pages
The Black Lion, Gillingham
Gillingham
ME7 1HL
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Black Lion
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/Former-Medway-pub-damaged-in-1721/ Business went bust in March and the pub has now been gutted by fire.
On 8th June 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3287 recommendations about 3252 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Black Lion
The Black Lion referred to here is not the arms of a noble prince - more what you'd get in the arms of a local prostitute, as in local parlance it refers to gonhorrhoea. The original Black Lion dates to around the early 1700s and would have been an ale house and brothel serving the local garrison. The original wooden structure moved - quite literally - from its position nearer the barracks in around 1789, then was rebuilt in brick in 1896. The sports fields and sports centre opposite were named after the pub. There is a large bar to the front with tv screens at both ends, a pub dog and a selection of chairs and tables, and at the rear is a games room with a pool table. It's rough and ready, but the welcome is genuine. The only acceptable beer on was Courage Best which was rather bland - no surprise there. It's a good solid, no-frills town boozer, but it appears there are problems with the business and it may be closing soon - so visit this piece of history while you still have the chance.
On 12th February 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3287 recommendations about 3252 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Black Lion
There were two locals propping up the bar and not a lot going on when I visited early on Monday evening. Maybe the regulars are saving their energy for the New Year’s Eve disco which is already being advertised. Standard draught is available from the bar and the two hand pumps were both drawing Courage Best. A pool table is advertised on the front of the pub, but I saw no sign of it inside. There is a dartboard though and a plasma that was showing a cookery programme. There is a large garden out the back, but I’m not sure about opening times as this pub has been closed the last couple of lunchtimes I have wandered past.
To be fair most pubs are quiet at 18:00 on a Monday and the two old boys at the bar were friendly enough. Maybe I’ll give this place another try at a busier time.
On 11th November 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5263 recommendations about 5231 pubs]