The Wine Bar, Gillingham

Previously a shop, then a bar and grill, now reopened as a wine bar without any wine. It occupies the lower floor only, the upper floor being used as accommodation for what the landlady called ‘carwash people’, whose crashing around reverberates through the floor. The bar consists of a small lounge at the front which is lit and furnished in the style of a German brothel, while a much larger room at the back is more functional, and while it was unlit this visit, the plan is for it to be more of a public bar and function room in the future. The landlady – who is new – also intends to introduce Caribbean food once she has sorted out the kitchen, which is currently being used as a storeroom. It might be good to come back when – if – she succeeds. There are three handpumps on the bar, but none of them had ale on. There was a choice of megakeg, 6X from keg or bottled Tribute. I think I’ll give it a few months before I try again.