The Old Bell, Rye

Steve of N21 left this review about The Old Bell

It advertises itself as the oldest pub in Rye and who am I to argue. What is without doubt is that it is another of Rye’s establishments that date back to the 15th century.
It’s quite a small space internally and was clearly two small rooms back in the day, but now knocked through into one bar room. Both the old public and saloon door entrances were open during the day but then only the saloon door, next to the small raised outside area with the few metal tables, was used in the evenings.
It’s all dark wood, with a low beamed ceiling, heavy wooden floor and substantial internal beams, one with an impressive collection of coins pushed into it.
It very much focusses on the tourist trade and functions more as a restaurant at lunchtime and early evening with all internal tables reserved for dining. Then late evening it seemed a popular hangout for students for some reason.
There are 2 ale pumps on the bar with the obligatory Harvey Sussex best and something badged as Old Bell Pale, which wasn’t actually too bad.
I found it all a bit dark and noisy inside of an evening (especially when the students started braying), and wouldn’t contemplate a return unless it was a fine weather evening and I could get one of the exterior metal tables to sit at

On 4^th September 2023 - rating: 6
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