The George in Rye, Rye

Located in the heart of Rye’s attractive High Street, this isn’t actually a pub in the strictest sense, but rather a bar within a hotel. Nonetheless, they are certainly open to non-residents, and it’s well worth popping in as it’s a lovely old building. At the front of the pub is the hotel reception to the right, and a lounge area off to the left, with the bar at the rear. The lounge was very elegant with oak wood panelling on much of the walls, old wooden beams on the ceiling, artwork and comfortable arm chairs. Just what you would expect in a posh hotel. The bar area felt a little more rustic perhaps, but still suitably upmarket with brick style tiling on the floor, more wooden beams on the ceiling as well as some very chunky supporting posts and a large brick fireplace at one end with a wood burning stove. A smaller area off to the side was separated by some wood partitioning, and this included a couple of stained-glass panels set in to the wall. Seating was a mixture of stools at the bar, old church chairs, leather chairs and a sofa or two. Staff seemed pleasant and friendly, and I was very impressed on returning a second evening to find that one of them clearly remembered us, even though we had no real interaction with him previously other than buying the drinks. First impressions were that there was an extensive keg selection without twenty taps on the wall behind the bar, but on closer inspection I noticed that one of these was labelled water, and Mrs B’s red wine was also dispensed from here, so going on the lack of any menu or chalkboard, I assume none of them were actually beer. The real ales on tap though were Long Man Rising Giant, Harvey’s Sussex Best and Romney Amber Ale, whilst the solitary cider was Curious Apple.

This large hotel, bar and restaurant has been a fixture on Rye High Street since 1719. But as mentioned below it suffered a devastating fire in July 2019 and had to undergo a major restoration project before reopening again in May 2022. So, it actually feels like a new addition to the Rye eating and drinking scene and let’s just say you can well see where all the insurance money went. You can enter either from the main entrance on the High Street or the courtyard entrance higher up Lion Street towards the imposing St Mary’s Church. When entering from the High Street the hotel reception is on the right and a comfortable lounge room to the left. But you continue on to find the main bar restaurant section with a spacious bar area to the left and an even more spacious and more formal dining section to the right. As the reviewer below mentions the decor is very modern but with many nods to the historic past of this building giving the various sections their own character. You then climb a set of stairs towards the toilets, which then lead you out to an equally spacious and well-designed outside courtyard area with its access onto Lion Street as mentioned. On a good weather day this is a superb spot for just drinking and was being well utilised on the fine evenings we experienced in town. There are usually three ales on in the bar and alongside a Harvey’s Sussex Best pump with the old-style barrel clip was Longman Rising Giant APA and an excellent Romney Marsh Romney Amber Ale for our couple of visits

An old world former Coaching Inn,now a prosperous feeling country town Hotel and bar. Closed for nearly three years until May 2022 after a major fire,it has been refurbished using a combination of ancient and modern styles, materials and themes. My first visit in more than forty years found us enjoying a family meal in the further dining room. Deeper into the building, and slightly to the left is a cosy, heavily timbered and less formal bar, with three operational hand pumps, dispensing the obligatory Harveys,together with Romney Marsh Amber and Dark Star APA. I failed to note the keg or bottled menu.The Amber was in good,if old school form, at £4.75 per pint,which I didn't find exceptional for the ambiance. We enjoyed our visit, and would return for both a meal and a drink, especially when in celebratory mode.

Facebook page of The George in Rye - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The George in Rye - www.facebook.com

Official site of The George in Rye - thegeorgeinrye.com

Official site of The George in Rye - thegeorgeinrye.com