Phoenix at Rainham, Rainham

Pub SignMan left this review about Phoenix at Rainham

This is a large Craft Union pub located next to Rainham Station, which retains a traditional, two room interior. The left side of the pub is a shallow but wide bar area, which has been carpeted for the most part, with a plain colour scheme and the servery along most of the back wall. The bar has a simple counter and smart modern bar back, all heavily decorated with Halloween tat, as was the entire pub come to think of it. High tables and stools occupy the space opposite the bar and some comfy looking tub chairs fill in the spaces to either side. Looking past the cobwebs, coffins and skeletons, there doesn't seem to be much on display here, with several TV screens showing the afternoon's early Premier League fixture and some slot machines on the end wall the only real visual distractions. Through an archway to the right, there's a tile floored side room with a pool table and several tables and chairs, some more slot machines, two more TV screens showing the match with the commentary on, and a dartboard - a classic public bar in other words, albeit without bar access. Doors to the rear lead out to a well-kept garden area with a gazebo shelter and plenty of colourful flower displays.
The pub has found its way into the Good Beer Guide on occassion recently, and they had three handpulls on the bar, with Greene King Abbot Ale (£3.60 a pint and served surprisingly warm), the only ale flowing. Two turned clips, one of which was Doom Bar, occupied the remaining pumps. The barmaid was very welcoming and there was a very earthy, crowd of middle-aged blokes in attendance.
The big draw of this place seems to be the complete lack of viable alternatives in this neck of the woods, making it the choice by default for anyone finding themselves out this way. I like that they're trying to do the right thing with their ale, not over-extending the range, and it struck me as a well-appointed venue with facilities to keep its blokey core customer base entertained, but I was happy to call it a day after a quick pint and don't think the same pub would get a second thought if it were located in a well pubbed part of the country.

Date of visit - 2nd November 2024

On 20^th January 2025 - rating: 6
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