Foy Boat, Ramsgateback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now sadly closed.
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I don't know if the pipes aren't cleaned enough, or whether beers sits in the cellar too long, but on my last three visits, I have been unable to finish a pint. Adnams Broadside and Youngs Best were my choices, and I ust admit it ruined my stay.
In fairness to the landlord, the pints were taken back without any funny business, but needless to state, it can put you off choosing it as a place to sup.
A pity, because both the the location and ambience I quite like.
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This is a pub that has clearly maintained it's character inside and out. Nice mix of people and friendly staff. If I were local I would probably use it. The ales are very standard and not that inspiring, although I concur with the reasons for that given in the review below. I would happily pay �3.80 for a pint of something different but I guess the guvnor may have duifficulty shifting it. Nevertheless it's a nice pub with its own charm and certainly worth a visit.
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A mate and me stayed here overnight last weekend at a very competitive rate - a twin room for one night (standard no en suite but bathroom only round the corner) for �60. Ramsgate is not generally an expensive place and I'd always recommend it for a break that won't break your bank. The accommodation was clean, tidy, and sufficiently spacious, at least for our basic needs (we simply need bed and board whilst pitching up for a piss-up!).
I can't comment legitimately on the usual qualities I look for in a boozer - ale range and quality, bar service, atmosphere, food, as the Foy merely provided us with a roof over our heads for the night and breakfast in the morning; we never actually visited the bar proper. However, I can affirm that the quality of the brekkie was sound (top bacon in particular!), and that the landlord was a very welcoming and easy-going sort of fellow who seemed to know how best to run the business.
With regards to the decrying by some of the Foy's ale choice, we sounded the landlord out over this, and I'm afraid it boils down to that familiar old chestnut, excessive pubco costs to their tenants/managers. Enterprise own it (they seem to own so many even now), and although they now sign up to the SIBA direct delivery scheme and offer better beer choice, they take a massive cut and so by the time it hits the cellar, to make any money the licensee often has to charge above the market rate. Apparently, he has tried out a broader cask selection here and it was welcomed in principle, but there wasn't enough support for it locally to justify maintaining it - and that was essentially because customers weren't prepared to pay the �3.80 price that he had to put on irregular ales to make any kind of profit from it. In some markets that'd be excessive but not unusual, and more affluent (or careless!) punters would dig deeper to cover it, but give that Ramsgate is a peculiarly cheap haven for beer (many pubs especially the Conqueror micropub serve at �2.60-�3), clearly any pint however worthwhile being sold for even �3.50 would seem unacceptably steep. So, for now at least, this licensee concentrates on keeping his regular - if predictable and ubiquitous - ales in good order. Fair enough says I.
Finally I should make some mention of the rather unusual architecture - the Foy is a classic 1930s/40s building of the art deco inclination, which admittedly may jar wiuth the nearby Victorian terraces, but does sit suitably in its harbourside setting, with a wonderful vista across the water. It was a splendid sunny morning last Saturday and the landlord let us out on to the balcony for a while which was a delight. The interior has maintained its character and all told it's a nicely-kept homage to the period of its construction.
My score is given mostly on location, value, accommodation standards and service from the licensee - if I ever get to try the bar and beer it may justify more.
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I now feel rude if I return a bad pint in this place (though the staff never begrudge it when I have done), I simply leave it.
The landlord seems a nice chap, but I wish he could improve his choice of ales and keep them fresher.
Would love to use this pub more if that was done.
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Bit old fashioned but that adds atmosphere. Add friendly staff, okay beer and reasonably priced food that is edible, and there is little to complain about. Eastenders cast members were spotted there on one visit, coming down from the restaurant upstairs, script notes in hand. Sunday roast was very well priced, although that's gone up a little but probably still represents good value. Customers seem a reasonable lot, with a tendency towards families on Sundays for the nosh.
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We drank in here last night after reading reviews on here. It was nice enough, a mix of characters, a family of all ages, a group of young lads (quiet) and some couples.
It has a nice atmosphere, old fashioned enough to be comfortable but not stale. It has a restaurant upstairs but we didnt visit, however prices on the boards for food looked good value.
My partner had youngs bitter which he said was very good. We were in there fairly early so would be difficult to say what it might be like later.
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James Bond drank here. Good choice.
The nearest pub to the Royal Harbour Hotel, AKA Fawlty Towers as featured on YouTube.
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Well maintained hotel/bar with a good selection of ales. Parking is a real problem in the area but one cant blame the licencee for that.
Quite friendly staff but not well populated and concequently not much of an atmosphere but if I wanted a dirty weekend away with my secretary Miss Lushbody then this would be my first choice.
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Pleasant hotel/restaurant/pub overlooking the harbour. Good value Sunday roast. Local beer served. The upstairs is the restaurant and has the nice view. Serves the local Gadds beer.
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went in here last year with the wife,the ales were well kept and the food was reasonable, nothing outstanding but would certainly go back for more
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In last night (16th May). Pint of Gadds No7 was really good. However, the barman was the most miserable fart I've ever seen behind a bar. He wasn't particularly rude, just very uninterested, really made it uncomfortable to be in there. The atmosphere was very cold, not an enjoyable experience really.
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This place has really improved in the last couple of years, I'm not sure if the managers just didn't like young people but when I first came in here a couple of years back my friends and I were made to feel very unwelcome. However, I've been in here a few times recently and they seem much more friendly and also they now have a good selection of ales. I had Gadds - Sandboy, which was extremely tasty.
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I've found the beer to be iffy in the past and the only time I've eaten here, the chips were still frozen in the middle. Must give it another go..
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A charming pub with a quiet atmosphere, which is nice for conversation or eating their excellent food. One of the few pubs left that offer accomodation and, I believe, at a reasonable rate.
Ales are good and usually include Gadds, Greene King IPA and Abbot.
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A very good pub. John, the licensee, used to be Chef at The Oak Hotel on Ramsgate seafront. The food is excellent as are his real ales.
It's a nice friendly local with a grandstand view of Ramsgate's picturesque harbour
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We had a valentine dinner there as everywhere else was booked up that night. Good thing we could'nt go elswhere, as the food and service was first class. Real good chefs serve up wonderful food. Beer kept well. There is a hotel that vistors always compliment. Its tucked away up on the westcliffe, but well worth a visit.
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it is a friendly pub and would go there again
veronica - 16 Jun 2004 09:55 |
Lovely 'local'. Sea views, decent cheap food and a competetive pool community.
adamafurness - 7 Jun 2004 10:10 |
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