The Railway Tavern, Chatham

Now a shop and flats. Another one lost.

I popped into the Railway Tavern on a recent Monday afternoon when I was the only customer. There is a pool table and dartboard in a raised area at the rear of the pub and the plasma screen was showing some comedy program via E4. I didn’t spot any Sky Sports advertised, but there is karaoke every Friday night. The bar is stocked with standard draught and one of the hand pumps was unused leaving Wychwood’s Bah Humbug as the lone ale option. The service was polite without being very friendly. I do not plan to revisit this pub any time soon.

Originally known as The York Tavern and Railway Inn, this pub first appears on the records in around 1847. It has since been known as The York, Bullseye and O'Donnells, becoming The Railway Inn quite recently. Its latest owners have removed the tacky decor and given the place a serious deep-clean and make-over to create a pleasant, modern pub, now used mainly by locals. There is a tv screen, wooden floors, sober decoration and raised, carpeted area to the rear with a dartboard and pool table. Only one ale on, Brains SA, which was in good condition. A decent pub which is worh a visit if passing.