Brickmakers Arms, Gillingham

Now converted to residential.

Built in the 1860s, this impressive building is named after the brickfields which used to occupy this part of Kent and provided the area with much of its wealth. Now it' just another run-down business in the middle of an Edwardian housing estate with no-where to park a car. Having previously had a reputation for good beer and a warm welcome, it as a bit disappointing to find no real ale and no draft cider on despite both being advertised. The welcome from the staff was also a little frosty which could explain why the pub was empty. Also advertised was Sky sports, but that too was turned off. The best drink available was London Pride in bottles. A sad shadow of its former self.

Friendly little place with real ale in bottles and a reasonable hand pump selection.Very much a local pub very welcoming and great in the summer,bbq etc.

The Brickmakers Arms, or Brickies if you’re local, opens at 17:00 in the week and at midday at the weekends. There is some covered seating out the front and a garden out the back that I did not visit. To the left of the bar is a pool table, dartboard and projector screen for showing Sky Sports. To the right of the bar is some quiet seating that had been made into a spooky cave for Halloween and the enthusiastic local kids kept coming into the pub to receive sweets off the landlady. The bar is stocked with standard draught and the two hand pumps were drawing Adnams and Greene King IPA. I got the feeling that this is a community pub and the management had put a lot of effort into the Halloween decorations, welcoming the local children with open arms. It was good to see some community spirit, especially as the North London pub that I spent last Halloween in had a sign outside telling trick-or-treaters to feck off. I wouldn’t travel to visit here again, but I would have no problem if this was my local.