Around the Pubs In Maidstone

[Deleted]

Welcome to the Gallagher Stadium.

Stadium. youtu.be/8Xnc6l2j2-M

Only three or four games will be segregated this season. During segregation, away fans are in the smaller covered town end terrace behind the goal. When unsegregated, away fans usually start in the opposite big terrace nearest the main stand, then swap ends at half time. No access to Spitfire Lounge during segregation.

Pubs near the stadium and Maidstone East station (direct trains from London Victoria).

The Society Rooms. Wetherspoons. Always busy on match days.
www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/kent/the-society-rooms-Maidstone

The Flower Pot. Small, well respected real ale pub with light snacks.

www.flowerpotpub.com/

Hare and Hounds.  Goachers available. £4 a pint on match days between 12 and 2pm.
whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/151/hare-hounds-Maidstone

Also near the ground, but not recommended so often.

Nellie Gerkins. Irish themed pub with attached restaurant and nightclub.
nelliegerkins.co.uk

The Brickmakers Arms.  Backstreet freehouse a few minutes from the ground.

whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/124/brickmakers-arms-maidstone

The White Rabbit. Now a steakhouse and not welcoming to fans wanting a drink.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/summer-drinkers-told-were-not-a-pub-any-more-182041/

Town centre proper pub tour:

Old House at Home. Traditional pub, refurbished by Craft Union, so very cheap beer.
whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/157/old-house-at-home-maidstone

The Market House. Busy Shepherd Neame pub with expensive menu.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/earls-pub-close-maidstone-158251/

Druids Arms. Uninteresting Greene King pub with food.

whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/152/druids-arms-Maidstone

The Royal Albion. Lovely old building surrounded by ugly modern carbuncles.
www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk

The Stag. Recently reopened following a fire. Not often recommended.
whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/135/stag-maidstone

If arriving at Maidstone West station (from London, changing at Paddock Wood):

Draysons Wine Bar. Thai food and river views.
www.draysonsbar.co.uk

The Cellars. Popular micropub, built under a former brewery.
whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/329/cellars-alehouse-maidstone

Drakes. Down the hill and across the river. Old coaching house with large outside yard.

whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/134/drakes-Maidstone

If arriving at Maidstone Barracks station (from London, changing at Strood):

Maidstone Snooker Club.  Snooker and pool tables galore.

www.maidstonesnooker.com/

Or walk over footbridge to pubs near ground (see above).

Union Street Pub Circular.

Duke of Marlborough.
whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/136/duke-of-marlborough-Maidstone

The Style & Winch. Nice local pub.
www.ikin.co.uk/styleandwinch/

The Rifle Volunteers. Goachers ales. Old men, beer enthusiasts and usually a few football fans.

www.theriflevolunteers.co.uk/

The Eagle. Small community pub.
whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/137/eagle-maidstone

Some of Maidstone's larger drinking barns.

The Brenchley. Some interesting architectural features from when it was a bank.
www.thebrenchley.co.uk/

Muggleton Inn. Wetherspoons due for refurbishment.
www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/kent/the-muggleton-inn-Maidstone

Ashes Sports Bar. Lager pub. Useful for a Premier League match before the real football.

whatpub.com/pubs/MAI/121/ashes-maidstone

If arriving on the wrong side of town.

Lashings. Ownership changing after sale.
www.lashingsallstars.co.uk/

Ye Olde Thirsty Pig. Quirky old building, loads of real ales and ciders.
thethirstypig.co.uk/

The Fishermans Arms. Freehouse with a range of craft beers.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/historic-pub-reopens-in-maidstone-48026/

Recent additions to Maidstone's pub and cafe bar scene.

Skull Bar. Cafe bar serving comfort food with a selection of craft beers.
www.rainbowskull.co.uk

Craft Brewed. Cafe bar with craft ales, next door to Ashes.
craftbrewedltd.co.uk

The Herbalist. Large modern pub/restaurant in Pudding Lane.

www.elitepubs.com/the-herbalist

Lesser known town centre venues.

Working Men's Club.

www.maidstonewmc.co.uk/

Off the beaten track, if coming by road.

The Little Gem. Beautiful Goachers ale house in Aylesford, rescued from dereliction.
www.facebook.com/TheLittleGemAylesford/

The Robin Hood. ME5 9RJ. Off junction 3 of the M2.

www.robinhood-pub.co.uk/

The Lower Bell. ME20 7EF. Halfway down A229, Bluebell Hill.

www.lowerbell.com/

The Yew Tree, Sandling. ME14 3DB. Off junction 6 of the M20.

www.theyewtreesandling.co.uk/

[Deleted]

I think you are missing the point about a pre-game boozer.

The key requirements are:

1) It sells beer, any beer

2) It's as close to the ground as possible

3) It's not poncy

[Deleted]

On the flip side ^^^^ the H&H ticks all those boxes. It is however quite possibly the worse pub in town. Never be tempted due to it's proximity to the ground.

[moley]

Take a look at Cardsboard, Woking's very own pub enthusiast (and ex matchday announcer) Andy T has a planned tour before and after the game, looks quite good

[porkystone]

A much underrated Sheps Pub right in the middle of town is the Royal Albion:

www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk/

Nice pub, friendly welcome, used to offer a crèche for husbands to be left in whilst the other half spent the money in Fremlin Walk...

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2016 10:00:19 GMT Benny said:

Nov 19, 2016 12:03:48 GMT moley said:

Take a look at Cardsboard, Woking's very own pub enthusiast (and ex matchday announcer) Andy T has a planned tour before and after the game, looks quite good

That's where the idea for this discussion came from, so visitors know the best places to visit.

They mentioned The Cellars, micropub.
thecellarsalehouse.co.uk

Walking to the ground I would divert across the river to Drakes which is looking good after the floods and has a slightly alternative vibe often lacking in Maidstone.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/flood-hit-pub-finally-reopens-39651/

As mentioned above, the Royal Albion is an interesting old building, albeit surrounded by ugly modern carbuncles.
www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk

Come on now... proximity / price / beer choice / food? Any away fan coming off at Maidstone East is heading straight to Spoons!

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2016 10:00:19 GMT Benny said:

Nov 19, 2016 12:03:48 GMT moley said:

Take a look at Cardsboard, Woking's very own pub enthusiast (and ex matchday announcer) Andy T has a planned tour before and after the game, looks quite good

That's where the idea for this discussion came from, so visitors know the best places to visit.

They mentioned The Cellars, micropub.
thecellarsalehouse.co.uk

Walking to the ground I would divert across the river to Drakes which is looking good after the floods and has a slightly alternative vibe often lacking in Maidstone.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/flood-hit-pub-finally-reopens-39651/

As mentioned above, the Royal Albion is an interesting old building, albeit surrounded by ugly modern carbuncles.
www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk

If you diverted across the river, you'd find yourself on the opposite bank to Drakes...

Although, unless you like pretentious f**king students, that's not a bad place to be.

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2016 22:28:28 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

Nov 20, 2016 10:00:19 GMT Benny said:

That's where the idea for this discussion came from, so visitors know the best places to visit.

They mentioned The Cellars, micropub.
thecellarsalehouse.co.uk

Walking to the ground I would divert across the river to Drakes which is looking good after the floods and has a slightly alternative vibe often lacking in Maidstone.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/flood-hit-pub-finally-reopens-39651/

As mentioned above, the Royal Albion is an interesting old building, albeit surrounded by ugly modern carbuncles.
www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk

If you diverted across the river, you'd find yourself on the opposite bank to Drakes...

Although, unless you like pretentious f**king students, that's not a bad place to be.

Opposite side of the river you have the First & Last hidden away, which has a strong case for Maidstones best pub in my opinion.

Anyone actually been to Cellars Ale House? I went in a few Fridays ago, and it was completely empty with no music. Would have made for an awkward pint in complete silence. Definitely think they need to review their 'No Music' policy or they're going to struggle...

[porkystone]

The Swan in County Road ( opp the prison ) has closed, awaiting a new tenant:

www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs?submit=submit&l=maidstone

Slightly odd, as this was a well regarded real ale pub, if you like that sort of thing.

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2016 11:56:05 GMT porkystone said:

The Swan in County Road ( opp the prison ) has closed, awaiting a new tenant:

www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs?submit=submit&l=maidstone

Slightly odd, as this was a well regarded real ale pub, if you like that sort of thing.

Shame - I like the Swan! Both previous landlords have been decent and it was a decent place to go for a few beers. 

[porkystone]

Nov 21, 2016 12:35:50 GMT @holysmokes66 said:

Nov 21, 2016 11:56:05 GMT porkystone said:

The Swan in County Road ( opp the prison ) has closed, awaiting a new tenant:

www.shepherdneame.co.uk/pubs?submit=submit&l=maidstone

Slightly odd, as this was a well regarded real ale pub, if you like that sort of thing.

Shame - I like the Swan! Both previous landlords have been decent and it was a decent place to go for a few beers. 

But 'Spoons is only 100 yards away & £ 1.50 a pint cheaper..........................

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2016 12:46:42 GMT porkystone said:

Nov 21, 2016 12:35:50 GMT @holysmokes66 said:

Shame - I like the Swan! Both previous landlords have been decent and it was a decent place to go for a few beers. 

But 'Spoons is only 100 yards away & £ 1.50 a pint cheaper..........................

I detect a whoosh? 

The Swan a few years ago had two live in dogs and Skysports. As much as a £2.99 spoons breakfast can tempt me, those two factors are unquestionable...

[mrplow]

Everyone normally heads to the Society Rooms for cheap standard spoons beer and ales.
Swan is ok but out the way, sometimes head to druids and earls but rarely.
The stag is bit far from the ground and I think they're not to friendly with football supporters.
The flower pot been once but never go there.
Hare and the Hounds numerous owners and just a terrible pub but it's closest to the ground, the beers are bloody rancid in that place and the barman are shifty.
White Rabbit just takes ages to get Served but has Real Ale!

[Deleted]

Nov 20, 2016 22:28:28 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

Nov 20, 2016 10:00:19 GMT Benny said:

That's where the idea for this discussion came from, so visitors know the best places to visit.

They mentioned The Cellars, micropub.
thecellarsalehouse.co.uk

Walking to the ground I would divert across the river to Drakes which is looking good after the floods and has a slightly alternative vibe often lacking in Maidstone.
www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/flood-hit-pub-finally-reopens-39651/

As mentioned above, the Royal Albion is an interesting old building, albeit surrounded by ugly modern carbuncles.
www.royalalbionmaidstone.co.uk

If you diverted across the river, you'd find yourself on the opposite bank to Drakes...

Although, unless you like pretentious f**king students, that's not a bad place to be.

Best post you've ever posted .
I prefer the Duke of marl ..old house at h ....Earls ....If I want to pull slappers after the game ill go cherry tree and bring em in to town for the big bright lights ...
Real ale ,and micro pubs ....is pony what's the matter with Stella!

[Deleted]

Nov 21, 2016 15:15:18 GMT @pmh said:

Nov 20, 2016 22:28:28 GMT @johndaubneyslegs said:

If you diverted across the river, you'd find yourself on the opposite bank to Drakes...

Although, unless you like pretentious f**king students, that's not a bad place to be.

Best post you've ever posted .
I prefer the Duke of marl ..old house at h ....Earls ....If I want to pull slappers after the game ill go cherry tree and bring em in to town for the big bright lights ...
Real ale ,and micro pubs ....is pony what's the matter with Stella!

It's like drinking urine