Somerset Arms, Gravesendback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
With 30 minutes wait for a train we decided to pop in here for a quick beer, however on arrival there was only 1 ale available from the 3 hand pumps which was GK IPA special reserve (my pal commented to me that it wasn't that well kept). No bottles of ale available so I had a couple of vodka and lemonade's instead.
Empty when we arrived apart from the 2 bar staff, who were both pleasant then within 10 minutes 3 chaps arrived to play pool.
Thankfully I didn’t get the impression the Somerset is a swinger’s pub or did I get propositioned, it is however a large pub with an amazing bank of seating in the room by the pool table that has to be seen. Plenty of other original features but the pub does seem on its backside a bit.
Handy for the station and far better than the Goose in town.
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Pub frequented by swingers - have had sex in the toilets (with women) twice. Was propositioned by a man once. I no longer go to this pub.
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When in Gravesend I usually eat in here. Its a pretty reliable pub for real ale, they usually have a few beers not normally found in the vicinity : on my visit, Hopback summer lightning, Otter Bright, Cotleigh Albatross. Didn't much likethe Otter beer but I don't like their beers anyway. The Albatross was fine at 6.5% abv. Food was good (better than wetherspoons for sure), � 5.50 for a very large and well cooked all day breakfast. This is the best pub nearby the rail station.
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Desolate on this early Sunday evening vist though it's never a popular time for pubgoing. A central brick bar and good pub feel to the place. Plenty of ales on of which I tried the Cotleigh Honey Buzzard. The barman seemed unsure when pulling me a pint commenting on it being 'too dark' so let me try it first. I do believe it is supposed to be dark and it tasted fine. Worth dropping in as it does have proper beer (not common in Gravesend) and it is far more preferable to the other pub near the station.
anonymous - 30 May 2010 21:19 |
Visited this pub yesterday around 1pm. Perhaps a little too early to witness the fighting referred to by the previous reviewer!
I found the bar staff very friendly and there were six real ales available. Unfortunately the Summer Lightning finished before I could sample it but the Pale Rider, Landlord and Speckled Hen were all fine. Abbot and Youngs Bitter were the other beers on.
The seats are old pews and the ones we sat on were not the most comfortable. This may account for why fewer people attend church these days!
Considering it was lunchtime and the pub is centrally placed I was surprised there were not more customers. The food (ploughmans) was ok.
The walls are decorated with film posters and "silver" and "gold" discs of artists such as Guns "N" Roses, Michael Jackson and Kylie.
Judging by the adverts it would appear this pub is a haven for tribute bands and I would guess gets pretty lively in the evenings!
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This is a real one to avoid. Terrible reputation. Poor quality beer and food, several fights have taken place there recently.
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Monday (9 June) and one finds themselves in the town of Gravesend. The first pub visited was here, The Somerset Arms. Situated almost opposite the local train station, I found it to be an incredibly charming and quirky place to settle for a sup. There is an intimate feeling within, the little cubby-holes and seated areas only adding to the cosiness. As for the d�cor, well if old movie posters and memorabilia are your thing, then you�ll love it in here. They are everywhere. From Casablanca to Saturday Night Fever, the walls are littered with interesting knickknacks to engage the eye. The locals within seemed friendly enough and it was pleasingly busy, which only proves my theory that a good pub will always thrive, regardless of smoking bans, rising beer prices etc, though it must be said, it was surprisingly cheap in here. Amongst the ales on offer were the excellent Hobgoblin and Young�s Bitter as well as a real cider. I only stopped for two, but I�ll definitely return for another at some point. Three cheers for the Somerset Arms then.
HTM69 - 11 Jun 2008 15:44 |
First pub of yesterday's trip, very handy for the station. Calls itself "The Real Ale Pub" on a banner outside, a bit quirky inside with a music theme, discs, guitars etc on the wall. It felt a bit 70's in style. Two from Archers,Spitfire, Summer Lightning, Old Bear Hibernator(bit strong for an opener)and Pedigree. Good range, the pub is a little frayed at the edges and the sticky floor and tables could do with a wipe but ok. Perhaps someone could tell the bloke smoking on the step by the entrance that its only polite to move out of the effing way when people are trying to get in.
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I like coming here - it's a charming place with the records and guitars as decoration (and no, the cheap guitar saying Oasis with Liam and Noel's name on it wasn't really signed by the boys!) It's worth bearing in mind that, being a traditional pub, food finishes at 3.00. Always a good selection of guest ales in good condition, and the quirky nature of the place means this is one of the better places in the town to stop for a sup.
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Definitely one of Gravesend�s better establishments, the Somerset Arms rambling interior is a mass of angled brickwork, screens, twisted pillars, low beams and brick fireplaces. The walls are adorned with a fascinating mix of movie posters, gold discs, old records, brewery mirrors, old pictures, clocks and even a large Humphrey Bogart. Even the seating contains some unusual pews and settles. It probably offers the best selection of Ales in town (along with the Crown & Thistle) � 6 hand pumps with Youngs, Abbott and Pedigree for the unadventurous, Nelsons Revenge, Archers Wheat Beer and Summer Lightning for the bearded list tickers. On the downside the piped music was of at a Lionel Ritchie / Phil Collins level and the board outside advertises discos so I guess it is not always the tranquil oasis that we found yesterday afternoon. Nevertheless it is well worth a visit - just pick the right time.
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What a lovely pub. its ashame that the poms won though in the world cup. na just jokes love all you guys downt there at summerset arms, love skippy 2
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godd sat and sunday lunchtimes ,fine selection of Ales and usually a happy hour to drink them ,at night a loud kids pub
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one of my favourite pubs in town, stays true to form...
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Sprawling, atmospherically gloomy pub with lots of nooks and crannies, and a laid back ambiance. Always at least two guest ales served in good condition, and good value food. A solid and decent pub.
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