The Chequers Inn, Smarden

Last night visited, as they had a live band for Halloween, hadn't been there since their 'last bash' -the summer BBQ, which was a dissapointment, with the 'people shy' landlord warming a pre cooked 'Iceland' type burger up on his grill and the landlady saying 'There's no salad in case the rain washes it away' (grey sky but didn't rain!).
Again a disappointing visit, the band was quite good and the pub nicely decorated in the spirit of Halloween, but a low turn out while we were there. As on my previous visit, my pint of Stella tasted watery and bitter. The band finished promptly, with little applause or fanfare and the pub went eerily quiet, which was suddenly broken by a male member of staff lauching into a tirade of foul lanuage abuse at a drunk customer.
I looked scornfully on at this member of staff as he shouted infront of my wife
'I'll F****** take you outside you F*****C***' to be met with a threatening stare back, time to drink up and not return for many more months!

1 Nov 2009 11:45

Flying Horse, Smarden

Have lived in Smarden for 8 months now and this has become our 'local'. The first day we went into the pub we were welcomed by the landlord who bought us a pint!
Good place to watch Rugby on the big screen next to the log fire in the winter and throughout the year, Gaynor, the landlady organises events from Belly Dancing to a Summer Beach Party Night, often with a free buffet or snacks.
The first Sunday of each month they hold an Acoustic Night where the 'locals' come together to play instruments, sing or just soak up the atmosphere.
A great village community pub, which the Chequers around the corner cannot compete with.

4 Oct 2009 14:22

The Marine, Eastbourne

Visited here on 26/09/2009, obviously very popular as at 8 O'clock on a Saturday evening lucky to get a table. Landlord friendly and helpful.
Nice atmosphere however pint of Kronenburg larger at �3.40 not exactly cheap!
I ordered the mixed grill, which was very nice, wife had the chicken breast in garlic, but was very disappointed to find it was re-formed chicken and not an actual chicken breast, for the price felt a little cheated!

4 Oct 2009 14:03