The Plough and Harrow, Oad Street

No quibbles with the previous reviews. Characterful tending towards scruffy, and one of the friendliest pubs I've visited in a good long while - bar staff and customers alike, clearly all locals and regulars having great chat and laugh, in which they were happy to include us. A lovely atmosphere (dog-friendly, too). They'd had a sloe gin competition a few day earlier and we were handed free samples of the winner - which was excellent.

There was a crackling log fire and the menu (Sunday lunchtime) looked ok. We'd turned up just as the kitchen was closing (4pm) but they would have been happy to make something for us nevertheless.

The only ales on were Master Brew and Young's, unfortunately, but they'd had mild up until recently - and what they had was very well kept. Apparently there's a new owner in the offing at time of writing (February 2011) - let's hope he or she does not mess with the ambience but maybe increases the range of beers.

7 Feb 2011 09:39

The Man of Kent Ale House, Rochester

There are some peculiarly offhand comments about this quirkily excellent pub. If you want a great range of superb local ales, always in my experience well kept (depsite one reviewer's assertion), good and interesting Belgian and German beers rather than Fosters and Carlsberg, friendly and interesting customers, friendly and knowledgeable bar staff, the best pub dog ever, and live music in a gem of an undeniably scruffy but unpretentious pub in an unprepossesing part of Rochester - then look no farther.

I'd like to address the criticisms of "realalie" specifically, though.

1. "The customers seem to be barely tolerated guests." Never in my opinion, not even on my first visit. Perhaps it depends on the customer.

2. "Advisory signs are everywhere: Drinking up time is not 11.30, it�s not 11.20 it�s 11 o�clock!". The sign says 11:20, not 11 o'clock. Which *is* drinking up time.

3. "Quiet in the garden and no swearing in the garden." Why is this a surprising request in a residential area, and in a pub garden where children are most likely to be found?

4. "There is a no standing zone next to the bar (and looks are given if you wander into it) �along with another sign that states � funny place to stand if you want a drink. Really? I thought this was a pub!" Every pub has a no-standing / no-service area - it's where the staff gain access to and egress from behind the bar. What's the beef?

12 Apr 2010 14:37