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The Pipemakers Arms, Rye

Wish Ward
Rye
TN31 7DH

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Steve of N21 left this review about The Pipemakers Arms

A large imposing corner pub that from the outside very much looks like a flat roof extension was bolted onto the original pub building. But as the reviewer below says, it’s very difficult to tell this once you are inside as the three distinct sections are seamless in decor style. There is a large public bar setup on one side of the central serving area with pool table, dart board, juke box and screen for the sport and then a large lounge on the opposite side of the serving area. Then what looks like it could have been a separate snug room between these two. Not sure if it ever was three separate bars but the three areas are now all connected. Plenty of the usual keg options and there’s several hand pumps on both the public and saloon sections of the bar. But for my first visit only one was badged on each side for my visits and confusingly with different beers. When approaching the public bar section and seeing the lone Harvey’s Sussex Best clip I would have thought that was it if I had not have asked and been informed that TT Landlord was on the other side. However, on a subsequent late evening visit, London pride was also on, albeit only badged in the public bar alongside a Harveys clip, but at least the Harveys clip had also appeared in the saloon bar alongside the landlord.
On a slow mid afternoon inaugural visit with a couple on the pool table and virtually no one on the lounge side I really didn’t think this pub had much going for it. However when I came back at 11pm on a Saturday night when most of the tourist focus food led pubs in Rye are already shutting to find that it’s a different situation here. Some Fridays and most Saturdays the pub hosts live music in the public bar and is open to 1AM and with a decent covers band supported by a jovial local crowd it proved it could have a pulse

On 1st September 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]

Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Pipemakers Arms

The front part of this pub appears quite old, but the single-storey extension at the back seems newer (although it looks much the same inside). Three-sided central servery, with each part featuring semi-traditional furniture and decoration. On a Friday evening, food was being served from a tailer in the former car park (now mostly occupied by round wooden picnic tables). Just Harvey's (£4.40) and landlord being poured from various handpumps on different parts of the counter.

On 21st May 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Steve C left this review about The Pipe Makers Arms

This is certainly the best pub that I discovered in Rye for watching sport and even though only Old Speckled Hen and Greene King IPA were available I would say that this was my favourite pub visited in the area. The barmaid/landlady was nice enough and the OSH was on good form. Alongside some standard lagers and Olde English Cider there was an unused hand pump, so maybe they occasionally have a guest on.

There is a quiet saloon bar on one side of the pub for the serious drinkers and the other side is much larger with a pool table in the centre and a dart board at the back of the pub. On the opposite wall there is a projector screen and the pub shows Sky Sports and Setanta. I tried my hand at one of the two quiz machines, but the questions were ultra difficult indicating that someone had already cleaned them out. At about 18:00 the barman/governor came out and covered the pool table and then moved it to the side as the usual Saturday night live entertainment was being set up. I don't know what it was, but I have a terrible feeling it may have been karaoke.

Out the back of the pub there are a few benches lining the driveway that leads into the pub car park. There is also a small smoking shelter found just next to the car park.

This place is a little rough and ready, but it certainly fills a gap in the Rye pub market and it is great if, like me, you like carousing!

On 27th March 2009 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]