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Picture of The Lifeboat
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Saturday, 15th June 2024
With picture contributions to 5437 other pubs
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The Lifeboat, Margate

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
Market Place
Margate
CT9 1ER
Phone: 07837024259
Correct details

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

Quinno _ left this review about The Lifeboat

Attractive pub just off the main drag. Wood panelling inside with sawdust over the wooden floor. The pub’s positioning means that natural light fades quickly as you go further in which gives it an atmospheric rather than gloomy feel. Bits of nautical ephemera in situ and incongruously, a jumbo BrewDog sign which only made sense when I noticed the hand-drawn word ‘fcuk’ and an arrow pointing to it. Rugby League on the telly which seemed an odd choice for Margate but I enjoy the Northern code so it was alright by me. Six pumps with five on, the Listers Limehouse Porter felt like had an overworked aspirator on it (NBSS 2.5). 16 (!) boxed ciders. There's also a freestanding fridge with a range of gubbins. Bit of a curio, if they reduced the cask range and shifted more then this would be up there. For most of the time I was the only customer which helped explain the listing Listers. I’d give it another go as it’s an interesting place.

On 24th June 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5509 recommendations about 5490 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Aqualung . left this review about Lifeboat

The full name for this pub seems to be the Lifeboat Ale & Cider House.
It's not a micropub but isn't that much bigger than one and has been well described below. It now has what looked like 5 hand pumps with one unused. I only noted three of the beers, Redemption Trinity, Gadds' No 5 and Tonbridge Velvet Raven. There are also something like ten keg fonts with craft offerings and Brewdog being prominent. I didn't take too much notice of the ciders and went for the Tonbridge Black Velvet (£3.80) which was first class. This one is well worth a look if in Margate.

On 18th January 2019 - rating: 8
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Roger Button left this review about The Lifeboat

Until recently, a beer trip to Margate wasn’t really something that would get the discerning drinker bubbling with excitement. Some of the local pubs do however appear to have upped their game a little and the Lifeboat is certainly at the forefront of whatever pub revival may be happening.

Situated in the old town near the harbour and market place, this quaint looking corner pub was previously Newbys Wine Bar and then a private & corporate function business called Bespoke before being reopened as a specialized ale and cider pub about 2 years ago.

The pub is quite small and intimate and is divided into front and rear bars. The front has a sawdust strewn floor and contains a small counter to the left for ordering with an old fashioned “kerching” till that seems to permantly display a 4d price tab. The furnishings are quite basic with just a handful of stools and a couple of barrels turned into tables. A selection of games and and guide books are available and the walls have an array of old pictures and random bric-a-brac. The rear section has a couple of long tables and an open fireplace as well as the separate service counter from where the ales are dispensed.

The pub is essentially a showcase for Kent breweries and wineries with all the beers and ciders being local (and no Shepherd Neame in sight!). There are no hand pumps, the ales being mounted on a rack that divides the pub into its 2 sections and the ciders are stacked up in boxes next to the order counter. Although there were 9 casks on my visit, it wasn’t clear how many were actually available with the blackboard list containing several scribbles, rubbing outs and alterations. Quality was fine albeit my ale was a little flat, a regular problem I find with racked beers. For wine drinkers, local Kentish wine is also available. There isn’t much on the food front with basic selection of pickled aggs, sausages done on a tiny grill, cheeses and pies.

It is difficult not to be taken in by the pub’s charm, character and slight eccentricity and it is certainly the destination pub in town for pub and beer enthusiasts. If the town ever needed a place to act as a role model and attract the more civilized and responsible drinking fraternity, this is it.

On 3rd August 2012 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]


View more reviews of The Lifeboat (6)
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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location is best guess
Margate, 0.71 miles, 13 min walk (show)
Westgate-on-Sea, 2.39 miles, 46 min walk (show)
Broadstairs, 3.38 miles, 1 hr 5 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Lifeboat, Margate
24th Jun 2024, 15:28
Review submitted by Quinno _
 
15th Jun 2024, 21:30
Picture submitted by Quinno _ approved

Pub Details

Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.

  • Accommodation : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Bar Billiards : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Beer Garden : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • CAMRA Discount : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Car Park : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Child Friendly : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Function Room : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Karaoke : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Live Music : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Micropub : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Pinball : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Pool Table : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Real Cider : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • Wheelchair Access : No last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 24 June 2024 by Quinno _
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