The Robert Pocock (JD Wetherspoon), Gravesend

Pub SignMan left this review about The Robert Pocock (JD Wetherspoon)

This is a relatively small High Street branch of the Wetherspoons chain, occupying that beloved ‘Spoons type of premises - the former furniture store. You enter into the front seating and bar area with the typical mix of high tables and stools in the space opposite the servery and a range of comfier options through the centre and around the perimeter, including in a couple of recessed spaces to the left, which are hidden behind some quite significant sections of partitioning wall, affording them a degree of privacy you don’t normally associate with a Wetherspoons layout. The servery is surprisingly short and has the usual polished stone counter, plain dark wood counter front and mirrored bar back. Some steps at the rear of this room lead you down into what is perhaps a more appealing rear room, which also has some screened-off spaces to the left as well as plenty of standard tables and chairs in what is a decent open plan area. A staircase takes you up to a mezzanine upper level with a big, central octagonal cutaway that looks down into the rear room below. More standard seating lines the perimeter and there are some impressive bits of stained glass on one of the walls which is a real eye-catcher and perhaps the pub’s stand-out feature. The place seemed to still be doing a reasonable late evening trade, with punters still turning up as closing time approached, which helped the place not feel too empty and flat.
The big drawback of visiting ‘Spoons at present is that many haven’t brought back their guest ale ranges yet, and so it proved here. Just three ‘Spoons regular ales – Sharps Doom Bar, Greene King Abbot Ale and Ruddles – were available to choose from, which is a pretty tough selection to make. I thought I’d brave the Doom Bar, but it was pretty grim, despite being kept in pretty good condition. I probably should’ve had a Brewdog or some other craft beer instead. The staff all seemed to be really angry for some reason, but in keeping with every pub I went to in Gravesend, they were very friendly when actually serving someone.
There felt like there was a bit of potential in this place and I think had I visited when they had some guest ales on, I could’ve been quite happy here. It’s not like there’s anything here that you haven’t seen in hundreds of ‘Spoons up and down the country, but it had a few decent seating areas, friendly enough service and a good atmosphere, so I’d probably give it another go once things have fully returned to normal.

On 27^th May 2021 - rating: 6
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