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Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 15th March 2026) with Wittenden
on the Pub Forum
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about The Forest Gate Hotel
Visited 04/03/26.
No cask, the clipped Tetley's hand pump has apparently been some time since last dispensing. The small keg range was Guinness (excellent), Cruz, Stella, Fosters and dark fruits SB.
Corner plot, grand building with L shaped interior and the dark wood fronted bar counter following the inside shape of the venue. There is some tall stool seating at the bar counter, and the inside is bare boarded apart from a carpeted section in the right-hand corner. There is a small, carpeted stage area in the front left-hand corner. Regular tables and chairs plus some fabric covered benches around the perimeter and there is a pool table in the rear left-hand corner. High ceilings and the TVs were tuned into early evening programmes with the volume turned up. I was the only punter on my visit, and the venue had an immense amount of charm but the beer offering very limited although I did enjoy my pint of Guinness here and allowed myself to feel like I was in a bit of a time warp as to what this place once must have been as a pub.
On 15th March 2026
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1340 recommendations about 1323 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Forest Gate Hotel
Despite three handpumps on the counter, one with a Tetley clip proudly displayed, they don't do real ale here. I'm not surprised; walking to the pub I speculated that it wasn't the sort of area where you would find real ale drinkers. My half of Guinness was £1.70. There was no food on Tuesday afternoon, but a small chalkboard advertised food Sunday to Friday, 6 - 9 PM. There were no other customers in during my Tuesday afternoon visit (unless you count the landlady's kids who were clearly enjoying having so much space to play in).
This must have been a magnificent pub in its Victorian (or possibly Edwardian) heyday, but it now has a fairly rundown appearance on the exterior, although inside they seem to keep it as neat and tidy as possible. But in some places the carpet is thick with solid grime, and where the carpet meets the lino splash area it is sealed with duct tape. Needs must of course, but it's not a particularly good look.
Furnishings are normal tables and chairs, banquettes, and a few bucket armchairs lurking down on the right. Fake flowers were on all the tables. I spotted three TVs, only two of which were on, showing some American programme called "Ellen". It didn't look to be worth watching. There's also a pool table down at the end on the left.
The bar counter looks to be an original feature, with the frontage having elaborate fielded panelling, including round floral centrepieces in the panels. Most unusual, and some of the best counter decor that I've seen. The bar back looks old, but perhaps not quite good enough for a Victorian pub like this one. The three elegantly decorated cast iron columns are obviosly original features. The cornices on the ceiling are also attractive features.
Although vestiges remain of its splendour, it's now a fairly ordinary and uninspiring pub. What a shame to see what must once have been a magnificent place now a shadow of its former glory.
On 25th October 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2617 recommendations about 2531 pubs]