The Ship Inn, Sittingbourne

A basic high street boozer now open plan after a refurb making it a single L-shaped bar. There has been a pub on this site since around 1582, it was first licensed in 1832 and the present Victorian building was constructed in 1899. There is a car park at the rear, entered through the back streets. There is a dartboard, karaoke and gaming machines. The floors are wooden, and there is a mix of bench seating and bar stools. The only ale on was GK IPA but the barman did offer the choice of a straight glass or jug, a rare courtesy in these parts now. Unsophisticated robust banter at the bar, free boiled sweets, newspapers available to read. It's unremarkable but ok to drop in for a swift pint if in the area.

The Ship Inn is surprisingly big with a very odd layout meaning that there is a lot of redundant space. The pub stretches back quite a way and there are a couple of pool tables at the rear up the left hand side. The L-shaped bar is located to the right of the entrance and this was where the handful of Monday evening locals had gathered. These locals were all avidly watching the plasma screen at the end of the bar that was showing a programme called Ninja Warrior via Challenge TV. I didn’t spot any sports advertised so maybe the television is solely used for showing Japanese endurance contests and game shows. To the right of the bar is a dartboard and access to a long and wide corridor that leads to the toilets. Standard draught is available from the bar and the two hand pumps that I spotted were drawing two offerings from Greene King which were Old Speckled Hen and Tolly English Ale. This is an over 21s pub that hosts karaoke every other weekend. I decided to knock back my half of Tolly and leave just as Pointless was starting. The service was friendly, but I wouldn’t purposely seek this pub out again.