The Ragged Trousers, Tunbridge Wells

A kind of Bistro Bar rather than a pub with seating available inside and out, the three hand pumps offered Good Morning Captain and Creedence from Fonthill Brewery along with Long Man Bitter. Busy and hard to get served on my visit but still worth the look.

Strange pub with a very closed feel late on a Saturday afternoon. The lights were dim and all of the chairs were stacked on the tables. This probably explained why most of the punters were drinking outside, but it did make the place look unwelcoming. We stopped for a half and left. OK for a crawl stop, but not really a destination pub.

I entered in a tentative state of mind, unsure as to what lies within but I found myself in a pleasant space that probably attracts a younger crowd later on but as fine as it gets late afternoon. A slightly L-shaped boarded room, side wall bar, scrubbed tables, beamed but not low ceiling, stucco style roughcast walls. Decor included various bits of wacky modern art, photos of unknown provenance, more traditionally framed cigarette cards plus some local scenes. Shelves of board games. There were a few hipster types in but the bobble hatted and tattooed barmaid was friendly and competent serving up a decent full measure of Gun Brewery Pale Ale, other options were Long Man Long Blonde, Larkin's Traditional plus a Seacider cider. Another plastic keg behind the bar contained Kentish Pip cider. They do food and it probably is important here, steaks, venison, wild boar burgers, homemade soup, cassoulet all listed on a board. A very pleasant place indeed certainly on a winter's afternoon, it may be different later or in the tourist season.