The Phoenix, Gillingham

A friendly high street local which is well described by JAQPTIO below, once a coaching inn but now reduced in size to comprise a single L-shaped bar with a dining area at one end in what was once a separate bar. The bar is carpeted and has a small fireplace in one corner. They serve good value home-cooked food, basic pub grub plus Sunday lunches. The staff are friendly and the beer is good – they have a GBG entry. Ales on this occasion were Doombar, Rev James Gold and Proper Job, all gratefully received and enjoyed. If I lived in Gillingham this would be my local.

Looks like it was originally a larger establishment, with the corner of the building now separated off as the Gillingham Tandoori restaurant. This has left a single-bar pub, with a dining room of similar size to one side. A back door leads out into a small yard which must have been where the inn's former stables were, with an archway beyond providing a separate entrance from the town's compact Square where a few wooden picnic benches can be found. Quite plainly furnished and decorated, with background music not drowning out the good-natured conversations going one. Two of three handpumps in operation, offering Sharp's Doom Bar and Atlantic (£3.20). Overall, seems to have improved since the Hall & Woodhouse days.

Average small town pub, quite comfortable but with a somewhat 'quaint' atmosphere. The first time I called in for a swift pint I found myself surrounded by little old ladies 'taking tea' - I thought I'd been wafted back to the 'thirties! Three pumps but only one on - Badger. Say no more. Now re-opened and with a new landlord it at least does some decent ales now - the Tribute was spot-on.

A small Hall and Woodhouse pub with a lounge area on entering with a small bar and a seperate restaurant area to the right.Three handpumps,but only two clipped with Badger and Tanglefoot.On ordering the Tanglefoot we were informed that it was off but the pump clip was not reversed which is just bad practice.So hobsons choice with Badger ,which maintained its well documented blandness.Food is now more of a priority in this pub,but this is really a quiet locals pub with few intersting features and some tasteless musak.Not sure why it is featured in the 2010 GBG.