BITE user comments - WildWeasel
Comments by WildWeasel
The Botswain and Call, Chatham
Closed...
Sold to the owner of the Plumbing shop opposite apparently...
WW
21 Nov 2008 13:14
Heard again today from another source....Under new management and definatley re-opening soon..
Lets hope so..
WW
20 Nov 2008 23:01
I believe this is closed again...Probably for good now......
WW
17 Nov 2008 11:46
Walked past yesterday and had a look through the window....
2 guys were in there and there is evidence of work in progress.....
2 Skips full of "Junk" outside...
Saw this coming....Often there were more staff than customers..
Shame as it wasnt a bad pub and lets face it there arent many left to choose from Lower Gillingham is desolate
Hastings arms-Open
Plough & Chequers-Open
Four Brothers-Closed
Ship-Closed
Barge-Open
Clarendon-Closed
5 Bells-Gone
Green Dragon-Closed
Britannia-Gone
Whitehouse-Gone
Good Intent-Gone
Prince of Guinea-Open
I bet more close in the next year....
17 Nov 2008 11:45
Great local pub ( I live 5 mins away ! )
2 bars one with a pool table and the other more geared up for the food which I am told is very good ESP Sunday lunch which seems to be very popular
Usually 2-3 good beers on ,never had a bad pint and reasonably priced
Great garden so good for families Fantastic in summer ( remember them :-) )
A bit out of the way but worth checking out
WW
20 Sep 2008 21:02
Not a bad pub at all !
Occasionally go there on a sunday afternoon for a change Landlord is friendly and there are always a few good beers on Never had a bad pint !
With so many local pubs closing this one may well survive I hope it does...
WW
20 Sep 2008 20:56
All,
For more information on Gillingham Kent Pubs ..
See my earlier post regarding the demise of the Roseneath....
----------------------------------------------------
The Barge is arguably one of the best "Traditional " pubs in the area..
If you dont know where it is you will not find it !!
Down a back street Cul de sac in Lower Gillingham,
Layfield Road.... Google maps will get you there !
My Garmin GPS works as well !
But, its not a pub you want to drive to & drink Lemonade !!!
You may know the Ship as it does food & big screen Sky Footy but you probably dont know the Barge even though its only a 3 minute walk away !
Landlord Tim has got this so right !
Heavy influence on music particularly Folk which like it or not ( I do !) brings the punters in midweek when other pubs are struggling to cover the wages of their barstaff
The sound system is excellent , in fact bands actually record there... its that good !
A friend of mine organizes regular Tribute nights whereby local musicians and anyone else can pick up an Instrument and play... Last one was a Bowie night in December.. The pub was packed !!!!
Fantastic.... Due to family comitments I was only supposed to stay for the sound check but it was that good I hung around and rode the " Beer Scooter " home at 2230
Could & Should have stayed all night
Plan is for another one....Posibly Stones or the Jam..
As soon as I have details I will post them
I can Garuantee a great night...
Tim has got round the curse of the smoking ban by building an excellent "conservatory " which leads to a nice Garden with fantastic views over the river Medway .Fantastic in the summer...
There is always a good selection of Beers on Tap
Regulars such as Shrimpers ( Herne bay I believe )
and " Guests " as well
Its dark and dingy even in the summer ( Perfect ! ) and candle lit at night....
Atmosphere is fantastic !
I am somewhat biased as I have known Tim for over 20 years but take it from me ...If you want a traditional English back street Boozer you will not go wrong with The Barge
I can normally be found there on a sunday afternoon 1500-1800 Chillin with my mates
Check it out !!
You will not be disappointed
WW
25 Jan 2008 23:50
I knew this pub well as I was born and lived in Lower Gilligham until getting marrried & moving to Rainham in 1994
I last visited in August 2007 ..A Sad occasion as it was the wake for a close Friend ,Gordon Hooper, who lived just across the road and was a regular
Sadly lost to Cancer and missed by many !!
As far as I know the pub is now closed and sold for re-development.... Common theme here....
We are losing so many traditional pubs at such a fast rate
It will not be long before these traditional " Back Street Boozers " are all gone
Not sure what to do to stem the tide of greedy developers
The Smoking ban has been the Nail in the coffin for many
A way of life I grew up with is fast disappearing..
There are a few left though...
I can recommend The Barge in Layfield road Gillingham
Very hard to find if you dont know it so if you are interested drop me a line
Small back street pub , a bit of a " Tardis " looks small from the outside but opens out once you pass through the door Landlord Tim ( an old mate of mine ) has got it just right
Dark and candle lit ( even in summer ! )
A good selection of Real Ales on Tap...99% of the time High quality !!! ( Not many pubs can do this due to the lack of demand for proper English Beer ! )
Check it out !!
I can usually be found there sunday after 3PM for a few jars and chat with some friends...
WW
25 Jan 2008 22:59
The Ship, Gillingham
Walked past saturday evening on my way to the Barge...Boards were up saying they were opening at 7 PM !
Have to check it out soon
BTW some of the former staff are now at the Hastings Arms...
Great little pub and going from strength to strength
Had a fine afternoon there sunday....Bombadier beer was great & Arsenal stuffed Chelsea...Doesnt get better
WW
3 Dec 2008 21:14