The Magnet, Broadstairs

One of Broadstairs’ newest micropubs, the Magnet is a pretty good size, single room set-up, located down a nice street a short distance from the seafront. The roughly square-shaped room has smart floorboards and bare brick walls, which help give it a cosy, almost rustic feel. Large windows to the front seem to let a good amount of light in, especially to the long bench and chairs that serve the tables in the front part of the pub. Seating elsewhere is a mix of high stools around tables and along drinking ledges and some canteen-style benches through the centre. The servery is in the rear left corner and has an L-shaped counter which cleverly increases the amount of bar space without encroaching into the room too much. The counter is a traditional wood panel affair with a matching gantry and undressed brick bar back. Large boards on the right-hand wall detail the beer range and stand alongside French street signs and some old continental beer lamps. The ceiling also sports a lamp of its own, fashioned out of Belgian beer bottles to make quite a striking centrepiece, whilst another light has been made from an old beer bottle in the front porch area. 70’s rock tunes were playing fairly quietly in the background and we saw live music and quiz nights advertised plus a few customers playing some of the pub’s board games. I noted at least four cask ales in the shape of Skinners Portleven, Northdown Merry Margate, Iron Pier Milk Stout and Whitstable Winkle Picker, with the latter priced at £3.50 and in very good shape. Further beers were listed on the boards, but I think these were keg options and several ciders were also detailed. The staff here were very friendly and helpful and there was a surprisingly large crowd in, which meant we ended up nabbing the last free table before the place became properly rammed. I really liked this place and thought there was a great atmosphere, good ale range and friendly service, all of which combined well to make this a very attractive place to spend an evening. Clearly the locals think highly of this place as well and its proximity to the towns shops and seafront make it arguably the best positioned micropub in Broadstairs. Definitely one for a revisit.

The newest micro-pub in Broadstairs, having been opened in February 2019 in a small corner building. This was formerly a restaurant, so there is enough space for some standing room by the bar in addition to a number of tables. It looks like a former room at the back has been opened out to provide space for a stillage, and this was being used for two Gadds beers: No 5 and the Festiv'ale (£3.50, and in splendid shape). Shucker's Session from Whitstable, Golden Bolt from Box and a cider were also available from three handpumps on the counter, and Bexley Brewery's London Porter is amongst the craft keg offerings. Very busy during the folk festival so it was difficult to know what it might be like normally, but I certainly gained a good initial impression and enjoyed the live music.