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Detail Pages
The New Drum, Tonbridge
Tonbridge
TN9 2AU
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about The New Drum
Visited 15/09/25
No cask these days with a couple of un-used hand pumps. Keg offering was Moretti, Hawkstone cider and IPA, Fosters, Guinness, original SB, Cruz.
Traditional pub a decent walk up the hill on which it is located. Small amount of seating out the front on the small, paved area by the entrance. Inside bare boarded rectangle with two-sided bar counter in rear left-hand corner with some tall stool seating at the bar counter. Some wing back armchairs in windows either side of the front entrance serving small round tables. Regular tables and chairs down right-hand side and a tall round table in the rear right-hand corner with tall, backed stools by the game’s machines. There is a chimney just inside the front door with a small round table hidden behind it. The venue has a nice rear garden with a covered area by an external bar and some comfy leather sofas under the cover. There is a long well-kept narrow grass area with traditional picnic benches. The garden hosts a pizza oven that I would imagine would be hugely popular on sunny days. Pubs are about the people (as well as the beer) and had a superbly warm welcome here from the ex-landlord (his some now is the landlord).
On 16th February 2026
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1349 recommendations about 1332 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The New Drum
From a distance, looks like yet another house along a residential street. On closer inspection, you can see the main pub sign and the old red Courage illuminated sign (still working). Quite a traditional back-street boozer, with an emphasis on the sports screen TVs (offering competing rugby and football on a busy Sunday afternoon). Very small patio area out front. With none of the three handpumps in use, I settled for a Beavertown Neck Oil (£5.70) on this overdue revisit to this unpretentious old-school boozer.
On 11th September 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 9063 recommendations about 9063 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The New Drum
The New Drum is nestled in amongst some housing down a residential street a short walk from Tonbridge Railway Station. On approach the pub sign soon reveals the location of the pub and a banner across some waist high railings that run the width of the facade reveal that live sports are shown. The open plan carpeted interior was comfortable enough and I received a warm welcome from the governor. Standard draught was available from the bar that also supported four cask lines. One of these had a missing hand pull so the remaining pumps were drawing Harveys’ Best, Greene King IPA and Nelson Brewery’s Trafalgar Bitter.
Two plasma screens flank the entrance and there is a third smaller screen at the rear that hangs on the wall above a piano. I noted the presence of a jukebox and free Wifi was advertised. Out the back is a covered patio area that houses a couple of picnic tables and a sofa. To the left is a brick barbeque and beyond the patio is a long grass covered beer garden that sits alongside residential gardens.
I liked it in here and will visit again if I find myself in the area with some time to kill.
On 24th June 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6560 recommendations about 6522 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
peter johnson left this review about The New Drum
Visiting a freind for the day and he took me to the new drum the welcome was warm and had great selection of real ales Harverys, Ipa and doombar. We sat in the garden and was surprised at how lovely it was maintained. Will defenitly return with my wife.
On 13th June 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3 recommendations about 3 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Fox left this review about The New Drum
Having just moved into the area thought we would check out the local pub. From the outside it looks like all the other houses - only giveaway is the Courage cockerel sign. When we walked in, what a pleasant surprise! Very friendly manager (apparently only been there 2 years), excellent ales (recommend the Greene King IPA)and a cozy but vibrant atmosphere. The real jewel in the crown however was the beer garden - who would have thought that such a small pub would have such a splendid beer garden? Very clean, loads of space and a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
On 8th June 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john smith left this review about The New Drum
great pub if you like to be served by some one drunker then you, so you dont feel belittled. have a great time as the landlord let the regulars run the pub, cos hes scared of losing them.
if anyone wants to lease this place, then please contact us first, so we can give you a phone no of a good quack!!!!!
On 17th December 2008
- rating: 2
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]