Royal Victoria Pavilion (JD Wetherspoon), Ramsgate

A magnificent 2017 Spoons conversion of the previously dilapidated GII listed Edwardian pavilion, done to a high standard. Inside is a big cavernous affair with various wood and glass partitions off right for more private seating but on the whole the lower area is quite a barn (mind you, given the one-drop nature of the summertime clientele, who can blame them?). There’s an upper mezzanine level with a splendid beer garden overlooking the beach and a pure suntrap. This is apparently the largest JDW in the country and my table number, well into the 400s, was testament to that fact. Perhaps surprisingly there were just three guest cask ales, my Reedly Hallows Beer O Clock was pretty good for a 10.30am pour (NBSS 3) though given the heat I soon switched over to an Oakham craft can whilst I awaited the arrival of a certain notorious GBG ticker. Service was efficient, with plenty of staff. Reading the reviews below I could well-see how visiting this place at 10pm rather than 10am might have given me a quite different impression. Either way I think it’s well-worth making a special visit for this one, especially on a sunny day.

Very comprehensively described by others below, this was an enjoyable visit to an historic building which has been put to good use. The ale selection has diminished though, the choices being Trio of Doom, Kirby Lonsdale Radical, Darkness Prince of Ales and Coach House Blueberry Beer. The young staff were functional, there were a few drunken idiots trying to cause trouble, but otherwise it was fine. I'd be happy to come back, though I suspect it gets pretty busy during the Summer season.