The Stage Door, Dartford

Traditional side-street Shepherd Neame pub with a J-shaped layout featuring some tall pew-style booths on the long branch going back. Otherwise nothing fancy, but all tidy enough. I found two of the three handpumps in use, offering Whitstable Bay Pale (£4.10, and in good shape) and Spitfire.

The Stage Door is a Shepherd Neame tied house which is pretty close to Darford train station. Once inside there is a single L shaped room with the bar facing,the floor is carpeted and has comfy bench seating and chairs for seating,there was a TV above the entrance. There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Shepherd Neame Master Brew which went down very well,the other beers were Spitfire and Spitfire Gold. I always like visiting Shepherd Neame tied houses,this one was was a decent pub in my opinion. Pub visited 22/10/2016

A Victorian Shepherd and Neame local which offers cheap, basic food. The single large L-shaped bar is carpeted and has gaming machines, a TV screen and a few tables for diners. There is a garden at the back with tables and chairs. Food was tasty and freshly prepared, and in addition to the basics there a very spicy gumbo on offer which was most enjoyable. The landlady was very friendly, the locals passive and the beer good. I had a pint of Masterbrew which was in excellent condition. Happy to come back anytime.

First and last stop for us yesterday on our Dartford outing, being fairly handy for the station and looking rather more appealing than The Railway Hotel. A smallish, single bar pub which extends back some way to the right where there are a row of booth type bench seats with high backs facing each other. Carpeted and comfortable, there was a friendly chatty welcome on both of our visits, although the beer quality had sadly gone a little downhill between the early afternoon and the evening. A Shepherd Neame pub which unusually in my experience was carrying a guest beer. They had Kents Best and Spitfire plus Potton Brewery Shannon IPA. The walls are covered with many photos of major and minor stars of mostly yesteryear, presumably who have been on tour at the nearby theatre, although I doubt Steve McQueen and his motorbike ever made an appearance. There are additionally a few of the typical B&W photos of Dartford plus a framed map of the town centre marking all the pubs in 1905; there were 60 of them back then. The unused fireplace has a large ornate mirror above on the chimney breast. To the rear is a partly paved and partly gravelled garden area, there is a TV directly above the front entrance. As regards food,I'm unsure as there were no indications either at lunchtime or later on.