Frog And Toad, Gillinghamback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I have had quite a few decent pints in here. Really worth visiting during a beer festival.
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This is an odd pub. The London Pride is okay, and most of the locals are freindly enough, the thing that lets it down is the landlord who is rather rude. If you want a backstreet pub in Gillingham I would walk another 5 mins for the countryman and be in better company.
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Don't know if regularly like it, but the real ale seemed 'tired' to me. Not unfriendly, but then not anything. I gather the only point in going here is for the beer festivals. Must look out for one, otherwise Asda's does better beer.
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We tried this pub as a member of Medway camra suggested it to us.
What a "mistake to make", forgot the name of the beer but it tasted like malt vinegar, all three of our pints...
Serves hot food it said, that was correct either at 01.00 in the afternoon.
The lady who served us wasn't interested in us at all, the newspaper was more important. They had 3 ales on , one was London Pride, the other a 6.5% one.
But we tried a 3.5%, as you read before it was very sour.
Its also up a very steep hill when you come from James street. Its about 15 to 20 mins walk from the station.
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The Frog & Toad is only a short walk from the station but is so tucked away in Gillingham�s back streets that only the locals and the ale hunters would ever find it. The interior consists of 2 knocked through but off centre rooms with an unusually situated kitchen in a seaparte room to one side away from the bar. The far room is more of a public bar with darts and plasma TV although there is another dart board in the main bar as well as an upright piano for those Knees Up Mother Brown moments. The sign outside boasts 30 Belgian Beers although I can�t claim to have noticed and despite the rear room being festooned with pump clips, disappointingly there were just 2 of the 5 pumps operational with Youngs Winter Warmer and London Pride hardly being an inspirational selection. That said, there is little competition in Gillingham on the Ale front so whatever is on offer comes as a bonus and to be fair, this was an early Sunday lunchtime and the pub was empty apart from myself and 4 Aston Villa fans ahead of the recent cup tie. Sunday papers on the bar were a nice touch and it all feels quite homely with old photos and maps on the walls. The F&T is certainly one of the better Gillingham options but probably not worthy of specifically going out of the way for (unless one of their beer festivals is on).
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There's nothing to dislike about the pub, except the beer. Just two pumps in action again ystdy (of five) - Cotleigh Harrier Lite was bland and slightly sour, changed for Pride which was just ok. Two disappointing visits, beerwise, there won't be a third.
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Backstreet Medway boozers scare me for some reason, but this one...
Good well-kept beer (no matter what your preference), and the selection of Continental beers mean that I shall be visiting soon (post-payday, unfrotunately) to attack the contents of the cellar with gusto.
Didn't think that pubs like this still existed (almost forgotten what a busy pub could be like).
If you're in the area, you owe it to yourself.
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Maybe unfortunate timing a week after their 4-day beer festival, but just two pumps in action, Pride & Badger Best, which weren�t quite at their best. Other than a dartboard opp the entrance I don�t really have a comment on the interior as we went straight out to the large beer garden, picnic sets on paved area, strip of lawn beyond, some large umbrellas. Large lean-to at one side housing the stills from the �fest, a handful remaining at �1 ppint but risky with no cooling system. I would doubtless be singing the F&T�s praises if my visit had been a week earlier, but not on this occasion. I will, however, keep it �on-list� next time I�m in Gillingham.
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Great little back street boozer, good selection of ales and a huge selection of Belgian bottled beers. Liveley atmosphere and all the staff/customers are really friendly, also the staff are very knowledgeable about their beer.
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Hidden away down a backstreet and surrounded by terraced houses, The Frog and Toad is bit of a gem. It�s odd, but has a certain charm. The staff were friendly and hardworking in their efforts to please the regulars and the atmosphere was one of genuine community spirit. The beers were excellent and reasonably priced. The garden is quite nice and there is pleasingly at least some shelter for us smokers to have a puff. I liked it here on my visit last night (28th July) and would most definitely not be afraid to pay a return visit.
HTM69 - 29 Jul 2007 11:37 |
One of the best pubs in Medway. Serves an ever changing range of guest ales plus a decent stable of the main bottled Belgian beers. The regular beer festivals are always well organised and fun. Relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Only negative point is that the beer quality is not always top notch.
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Visited Sat 14 May 05. How fortunate to find this pub, I was trying to find my way to another venue mentioned in The Good Beer Guide, and stumbled across this gem.
A classic back street pub, with the usual array of characters. Beer range was pretty good, the Bank's and Taylor Dragonslayer was in excellent condition.
The bar staff (may have been the landlord) were very friendly. Definate thumbs up.
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I have had the pleasure of knowing the landlord John Brice for over thirty years (man and boy) and when I heard that he was the proud owner of a pub in Gillingham,then I had to visit it. John is one of the nicest blokes you could ever want to meet. Th pub is great and the things that he lays on....Well!
If you want to visit just one pub, then let this be it. Don't think i'm being paid for this because I am not ,and John certainly does not know I am writing this, (he would do his nut) ...Steve Harris
steve - 26 Aug 2004 16:55 |
I have to say that I was very impressed with this little find. Can agree wholeheartedly with the last 2 comments. Well worth a visit.
Briony - 6 Feb 2004 14:19 |
My husband and I LOVE this pub. We discovered it through one of its Real Ale Festivals that the owner puts on - complete with game meat cookout! - and were terribly impressed. It's comfortable, the beer garden is simply gorgeous and the people are friendly and welcoming.
Any trip to the Medway area would not be complete without a pint or two at this pub!
Emily Hession - 30 Dec 2003 14:14 |
I moved to Gillingham a year ago and can't believe my luck. The Frog is a gem and a real find.
It's situated in a Gillingham back street a few minutes walk from the town centre. The outside is inviting, the interior small, cosy, tidy and comfortable. There is also a lovley, well appointed beer garden which from the street you would'nt even know was there!
The place is family owned and the landlord is a real craftsman. A great range of ales and Belgian beers (Menu available)is to be had and regular beer festivals are held throughout the year.
The absence of fruit machines, juke boxes and pool tables and Sky TV means this place aint for everyone but ensures a dickhead free environment. Don't get me wrong I like all of the above when I'm in the mood, and in the right time and place, but overfill a pub with such things, add a sprinkling of alcopops (Yes, "The Woodstock" in Sutton, I'm looking at you) and they become tosser magnets.
Good beer and good conversation is the main thing here. The regulars are friendly and the whole pub exudes warmth and good cheer.
The Frog has been voted Medways pub of the year about 3 years running and although some cynics might say that is'nt saying much, in a head to head with the excellent "Priory" Near Stockwell tube, the Frog would more than hold it's own. In fact both pubs have much in common.
If your in the Medway area seek this one out. You wont be disappointed. I'm not an employee and I'm not on commission! I'm just a beer/pub lover who thinks that a place which makes so much effort and suceeds so well deserves wider appreciation.
Bob V - 3 Nov 2003 19:06 |
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