Smugglers Records, Deal

Not the first record store/pub I have been to. Tiny, with bench seating that has you leaning against the plate window. Two barrels in a big fridge. Bottle/can fridge. GBG 2025. Nirvana's first album going for £36.

Part LP record store (and not just for decoration), part micro-pub and part bottle / shop. Mostly younger (than me, but not that young) clientele, and a very relaxed atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon. Just one table of any size, plus three more small ones with bench seating and tall stools along one side. Up to three cask ales served by gravity from a cool cabinet at the back, although only Fallout from Hopfuzz (£5.10 with a packet of Two Farmers crisps). Also has a trio of very inconspicuous keg taps on the very compact counter, along with another three on the side wall.

Micropub and record shop. Very tight, very basic. Two cask and a cider alongside some cans. My Kent was just about an NBSS 2.5, hazy and lacking bite. Mildly frantic atmosphere inside and not a patch on the calm over the road. This one has novelty value but the overall feel of the place, alongside the dubious cask quality, means I can’t really foresee a return visit, despite the GBG listing. 5.5

Official site of Smugglers Records - shop.smugglersrecords.com

Official site of Smugglers Records - shop.smugglersrecords.com

Facebook page of Smugglers Records - www.facebook.com