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The Stage Door, Dartford
Dartford
DA1 1BE
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Stage Door
Traditional side-street Shepherd Neame pub with a J-shaped layout featuring some tall pew-style booths on the long branch going back. Otherwise nothing fancy, but all tidy enough. I found two of the three handpumps in use, offering Whitstable Bay Pale (£4.10, and in good shape) and Spitfire.
On 21st January 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Stage Door
The Stage Door is a Shepherd Neame tied house which is pretty close to Darford train station.
Once inside there is a single L shaped room with the bar facing,the floor is carpeted and has comfy bench seating and chairs for seating,there was a TV above the entrance.
There were three real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Shepherd Neame Master Brew which went down very well,the other beers were Spitfire and Spitfire Gold.
I always like visiting Shepherd Neame tied houses,this one was was a decent pub in my opinion.
Pub visited 22/10/2016
On 2nd January 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Stage Door
A Victorian Shepherd and Neame local which offers cheap, basic food. The single large L-shaped bar is carpeted and has gaming machines, a TV screen and a few tables for diners. There is a garden at the back with tables and chairs. Food was tasty and freshly prepared, and in addition to the basics there a very spicy gumbo on offer which was most enjoyable. The landlady was very friendly, the locals passive and the beer good. I had a pint of Masterbrew which was in excellent condition. Happy to come back anytime.
On 14th January 2014
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Stage Door
First and last stop for us yesterday on our Dartford outing, being fairly handy for the station and looking rather more appealing than The Railway Hotel. A smallish, single bar pub which extends back some way to the right where there are a row of booth type bench seats with high backs facing each other. Carpeted and comfortable, there was a friendly chatty welcome on both of our visits, although the beer quality had sadly gone a little downhill between the early afternoon and the evening. A Shepherd Neame pub which unusually in my experience was carrying a guest beer. They had Kents Best and Spitfire plus Potton Brewery Shannon IPA.
The walls are covered with many photos of major and minor stars of mostly yesteryear, presumably who have been on tour at the nearby theatre, although I doubt Steve McQueen and his motorbike ever made an appearance. There are additionally a few of the typical B&W photos of Dartford plus a framed map of the town centre marking all the pubs in 1905; there were 60 of them back then. The unused fireplace has a large ornate mirror above on the chimney breast.
To the rear is a partly paved and partly gravelled garden area, there is a TV directly above the front entrance. As regards food,I'm unsure as there were no indications either at lunchtime or later on.
On 4th December 2011
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Stage Door
This is a Shepherd Neame pub that has three hand pumps and the usual SN draught selection. It’s quite a thin pub with the bar at the front and seating can be found all the way to the rear exit where a nicely kept beer garden is located.
It wasn’t very busy during my Sunday afternoon visit, but the locals in attendance seemed harmless enough and the governor served me a decent pint of Guinness. The plasma screen above the entrance was off and there was a radio station playing through the speakers. I didn’t spot any Sky Sports advertisements, but there were a few posters dotted about advertising food.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to drink here again, but I would have no problem popping in for a quick pint if I was passing.
On 15th August 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5233 recommendations about 5201 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Stage Door
One of two Shepherd Neame pubs in town, the Stage Door started life as the Smiths Arms until the nearby Orchard Theatre opened in 1982 and the pub changed its identity to maximize the trade from its new neighbour. The exterior has an interesting balcony although the upstairs part of the pub is not accessible to the public. The interior is a bit cramped in places but they do make good use of the space available and I have never failed to get a seat somewhere. Note the old wall lines at the front where the pub was extended to create a bit more space in front of the bar and create the aforementioned balcony above. A darts area can be found tucked away up the stairs to the left of the bar.
The décor includes numerous old photos (many autographed) of the actors, comedians and musicians that have appeared at the Orchard and it is not unusual find the occasional celebrity holding court or propping up the bar depending on who’s in town. The 3 Sheps ales are always very good quality although a bigger range would be welcomed. There is a Flat Screen TV above the main door with Freeview but no Sky. The rear of the pub is a long narrow corridor with railway carriage style high pew seating and this leads leads to a slightly unkempt gravel beer garden with benches.
Apart from theatre goers the pub generally attracts a mature and loyal customer base although some town centre doughnut brains do sometimes infiltrate on a Saturday night. The music can also be quite intrusive although it has to be said, you rarely get a bad song from the jukebox. One useful tip for anyone going to the Orchard - it is easier, quicker and cheaper to head for the Stage Door during the show interval rather than try to get served at the Theatre Bar.
On 23rd May 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]