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The Smack Inn, Whitstable

Middle Wall
Whitstable
CT5 1BJ

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


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Smack Inn

Small, traditional backstreet pub, partly opened out to leave the front bar and a smaller rear room. However, the split-level rear beer garden is a pleasant spot and larger than the building's interior, with a few more tables being available out front. Just Master Brew (£4.50) available from the bank of four handpumps, but at least that was in good shape.

On 6th October 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


E TA left this review about The Smack Inn

A great traditional back street local dating from Victorian times, the name referring to a sailing vessel, not a reference to domestic violence or drugs. It sits in a Victorian terrace just off the high street and has a small outside seating area but no parking. The two original bars have been knocked through to form a single U-shaped bar with a central servery and stripped pine flooring. Fresh crab and oysters are available from the bar., and there are sweetie and ice cream dispensers at the back. It’s a Shepherd Neame pub, but only one ale, Nun’s Delight, was available, though this was in perfect condition. The landlord was welcoming and we had a good chat with the locals. A great find, and I’d definitely come back for a few beers or include in a crawl.

On 7th October 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3272 recommendations about 3237 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


john mcgraw left this review about The Smack Inn

An improvement in price compared to the Pearson. A 'bargain ' at only £1.90 a half pint of flat Bishops Finger.

On 28th June 2016 - rating: 2
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Malden man left this review about The Smack Inn

A backstreet pub of some age, the bar divides the pub across the middle with the rear area being larger than the front. Boarded flooring, wooden benches form the majority of the seating, an open exposed brick fireplace has a log fire and with the pub name marked life ring above being a nice feature. There is a garden which looked nice. One area of seating is ended by a range of oars upright in a stand. Bottles and jars on a high shelf, there is a nice old clock and a selection of board games. Four handpumps, only two were on this Monday, Shepherd Neame Masterbrew and a cider from Thatchers. The beer was in mediocre condition being polite. A nice pub and building but punching below its weight on admittedly this one-off visit.

On 25th May 2016 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roger Button left this review about The Smack Inn

The Smack of the pub’s title refers not to the beating of unruly customers but to a type of boat used in the local oyster trade. This is very much a love it or loathe it Shepherd Neame pub with a very eccentric approach. The bare floor main bar is very tatty and cramped at the front and not much better at the rear. The walls are a mass of junk and clutter, numerous trophies, a couple of aquairiums (or is it aquaria) that appear bereft of any form of aquatic life and the ceiling is plastered with fading old posters.

There are 4 hand pumps with Master Brew, Late Red, Whitstable Bay Oyster Stout (Brewed especially for the Oyster Festival) and the current World Cup brew 4-4-2 (which was actually off at the time of our recent visit).

The beer garden mirrors the pubs quirky nature and has an odd layout with a fish pond being the central feature. The pubs semi-alternative approach would not be out of place in Camden and it is certainly not your normal seaside town pub and as such, will not appeal to everyone’s tastes. Personally I like the place as it does have a kind of uniqueness although it has never been a big hit with some of the people that I occasionally drag here. It really is a pub that you need to experience to make up your own mind.

On 25th July 2010 - rating: 7
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]