The Ship, Dartford

The Ship is not a Monte Carlo yacht, let me clear about that to begin with. However, it is a pub, despite of a recent change in staff, that retains everything that a local pub should be. Staff and punters alike are friendly, welcoming and as quintessentially English as they come. Its location is dreadful, and I suspect attracts very little passing trade, but, as locals go, I don't know many better. The drinks are a typical assortment, with a couple of ales that rotate occasionally, including currently the always popular Doom Bar (which I personally cannot get along with), alongside the normal lagers, ciders and spirits. The wine "selection" possibly isn't the most inspiring, but, why should it be? It isn't a wine bar, and isn't looking to cater to those who love their wine, and why should they? It is a local pub, doing it well, without the tetchy cliques that can present themselves to outsiders that first venture into similar establishments.
Recently, a group of old friends and I, none of whom had ever been to the pub before, relocated there on a Friday night to catch up, have a few beers and talk, having left a pub on the same road for some quiet, and we were welcomed without suspicion or rudeness, which is exactly what was needed and wanted. Cracking stuff.

1 Nov 2012 20:06