Rose Inn, Gillingham

Official site of Rose Inn - www.roseinnrainham.co.uk

Official site of Rose Inn - www.roseinnrainham.co.uk

Locals Shepherd Neame pub at the eastern end of the High Street that initially looks a bit run down but which proves to be a rather more homely inside. Partly opened out at some stage to leave a variety of different areas around the central L-shaped bar, with those on the right-hand side providing a mixture of refurbished seating options. That said, just Master Brew (£4.50) available from from a total of four handpumps divided between the two-part counter.

I popped into the Rose Inn at around 19:00 on a recent Thursday evening when there were eight or so middle aged locals sitting at the bar. None of them made any effort to let me get to the bar and I had to lean over to pay and collect my pint. Whilst I was waiting the conversation went silent so I decided to have my pint of Spitfire on my own in the slender left hand bar where there is some seating and a dartboard. As soon as I left the bar the conversation started up again and I realised that I had entered a pub populated by a very odd and unfriendly crowd. The bar area is L shaped and to the right of the bar are another two dartboards. I spotted a jukebox, but like the plasma screen it was turned off. This is a Shepherd Neame house so their usual draught range was available and the two hand pumps were drawing the aforementioned Spitfire and Master Brew. A mix of Thai and English food is available, but I didn’t see any menus for prices or kitchen opening times. After finishing my pint I took my empty glass back to the bar where I had to again lean over the locals and again the conversation fell silent. Hopefully I just picked this pub on a day when all of the misery guts of the area had turned up together. I actually liked the layout of the pub and the service was friendly enough. Maybe I’ll give it one last chance next time I’m in the area.

A large corner pub on the A2 in central Rainham, currently a Shepherd and Neame house. It's a basic boozer, with a loyal local clientele and few passers-by. It is leively, with a good atmosphere and is family friendly. Meals are basic but cheap, the service is welcoming, and the current management has eliminated many of the problems the pub was known for a few years ago. Two ales on, Whitstable and Masterbrew, both very well kept and most enjoyable - I sampled plenty of each. Worth including in a crawl or just dropping in if passing.