Drakes, Maidstone

I popped into Drakes on Friday afternoon last week when the pub was empty apart from a group of four young blokes. There was some background music playing and the plasma screen was off with no signs of Sky Sports. There is regular entertainment in the form of quizzes, live music, open mic etc. To be honest I found this information written on a large busy chalkboard a little confusing, especially as light is a rare commodity in this pub. The bar is stocked with standard draught which was all unavailable due to cellar issues and one of the three hand pumps was unused. The Hobgoblin had just gone off so I had a pint of Sambrooks Wandle which I couldn’t finish as it had turned for the worst. Calamities behind the bar aside this place is still a little dark and dingy for my liking.