The City Wall, Rochester

Basic modern bar with any benefits of having large windows and light decor more than offset by black furniture and horrible blue / green lighting. Facilities include a pool table, a multiplicity of sports TV screens and a fair-sized raised side patio. It also opens at 10 am and proclaims a food hygiene rating of 5. No real ale of course, and the inevitable John Smith's in the Extra Cold version will set you back £3.60.

The City Wall s a long fronted pub that is very close to two other pubs,i got in this pub before 11am so it is another early opener. Once inside there is a long oblong shaped room which runs the width of the pub,the bar faces on entry. The seting is a mix of long tables and chairs and shorter ones,there is a pool table and two TV to the left,plus one more TV to the right,these were showing a music channel. No real ales on the bar,i had a drink of John Smiths smooth crap which it was,the other keg bitter was Charles Wells DNA. Background music was playing and food was also being served. Despite the lack of real ale i took to this place with its laid back atmosphere,not sure why though. Pub visited 6/6/2015

I took advantage of the daily 10am opening at the City Wall last week when I popped in early doors for a quick half. The staff were having a meeting, but the barman was quick to jump up from their table to serve me a lager from the range of usual suspects. The large windows that line the exterior walls of the L-shaped interior make this bar feel like a goldfish bowl and the drinks deals and other advertisements scrawled upon the windows do little to stop the passer-by from gawping in. I found the décor to be a cross between a late night bar and an American diner. Given the ambience it was not surprising to spot a menu that consisted mainly of burgers and other grilled meats. I noted the inclusion of a pool table and counted three plasma screens which were all off during my visit, but Sky Sports is advertised. Also advertised was the weekly Wednesday evening quiz, live DJ nights on Fridays and Saturdays as well as karaoke on Thursdays and following an open mic session on Sundays. There is an extended license until 2 am on Friday and Saturday and until midnight on the other days of the week. The toilet was clean, but I wasn’t that happy with the old Wild West pub saloon door on the cubicle. I think that the line between privacy and security has been misplaced. To the right of the pub is an outside seating area that houses some picnic tables with views of the high street. I didn’t warm to this bar so I will give it the swerve when next in the area.