The Flying Boat (JD Wetherspoon), Dartford

Pub SignMan left this review about The Flying Boat (JD Wetherspoon)

This is a strikingly grand branch of Wetherspoons, set in an impressive town centre building. The pub has a two room layout of sorts, where customers enter into a very large main bar area that comprises most of the pub's floorspace, with a small rear room at the back, partly opened out but with enough retained partitioning wall to make it feel separate. The pub is carpeted throughout and has large windows down two sides, with the servery occupying most of the right-hand wall. The bar has a fine bar back with tall etched glass mirrors filling large arched recesses, a decoratively topped pot shelf and some unusual circular light features hung from above. The room has been painted in warm colours and decorated with lots of elaborately framed mirrors and local photos, which makes it sound like an old school London 'Spoons, although it doesn't really give off that kind of vibe. Sofa style booths run down the left-hand wall and in the rear room, but otherwise it's the usual standard tables and chairs or high tables and stools throughout. There's a garden out the back, although it was closed on my late night visit and too dark to see properly through the windows.
The bar was stocked with the three regular 'Spoons ales and four guests, from which I tried the Hop Union Moose River, which was a decent beer served in good condition. The barman was quite friendly and I stopped for some food, which was well above the usual standards this chain operates at. Despite arriving quite late in the middle of the week, the pub was pretty busy with free tables at a bit of a premium.
I liked this 'Spoons, mainly for the fine building it occupies but also for a decent ale range, friendly service, a good atmosphere and some well-kept ale. The central location is within easy striking distance of the station and is close to the town's micropub, making it a solid bet for a pre-train pint and a good double header for those with a bit more time to spare.

Date of visit - 14th August 2024

On 21^st December 2024 - rating: 7
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