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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
The Mackland Arms, Gillingham
Rainham
Postal town: Gillingham
ME8 7PS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Mackland Arms
Well-worn, ‘faded plush’ backstreet Sheps pub frequented by a bunch of oldies. L shaped interior which smelt of fags and dogs. Unexplained jumbo Ipswich promotion flag, presume the landlord must be a fan. Two Sheps beers on, Masterbrew and a seasonal; my Masterbrew was fair (NBSS 2.5) if somewhat light and watery to the extent I wondered briefly whether it actually was said beer. Nobody else was on it. Classic earthy GBG pick that nobody apart from the locals would be interested in going in more than once, I’m struggling to see why the reviewers below gave such high scores.
On 28th August 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 5552 recommendations about 5533 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Mackland Arms
Nowadays something of a rarity (at least in the South East); an authentic side-street local with a modest selection but well-deserved reputation for real ale. Compact L-shaped layout with as much traditional seating as can be fitted into the limited space available. As a Shepherd Neame house, I not only found the seasonal It's Coming Home but also the festive but rare Christmas Ale (£3.90) as well as the expected Master Brew from three of the four handpumps.
On 18th December 2022
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about Mackland Arms
The Mackland Arms is a u shaped Shepherd Neame pub with their usual draught and four hand pumps that were drawing Master Brew (x2), Spitfire and Late Red during my recent early Thursday evening visit. There were six or seven locals sitting around the bar and I was quickly involved in friendly conversation with them and the governor. Sky Sports is advertised, but the television was being used to play Magic FM making the jukebox redundant. I managed to step over the massive, but friendly, pub dog to note the dartboard around to the rear of the bar. I didn’t visit the advertised beer garden.
This is a friendly local pub that I would gladly visit again.
On 24th February 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5970 recommendations about 5936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about Mackland Arms
One of the few proper pubs left in Rainham, the Mackland is a lively town local in the middle of a terrace near the station and just off the High Street. It's a Shepherd and Neame house with plenty of trappings - dart board, children's room, pub dog and garden. It's also the only pub in Rainham with a thriving euchre team. The single L shaped bar had two ales on - I had the Late Red which was just past its best but still very drinkable. The staff are welcoming and the atmosphere convivial. In my opinion the best pub in Rainham which deserves its GBG entry and is an essential part of a town crawl.
On 3rd February 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3517 recommendations about 3481 pubs]