Latest reviews from Folkestone

“Not too far from the seafront in a back street. This is anything but a backstreet boozer with a plush set-up and a lovely enclosed rear terrace area. Dining is fine and they have an 'open' kitchen, and although I didn't partake it's definitely of the 'cuisine' sort - so a few notches above pub grub!!! Three cask ales and some craft keg in its selection. Also real cider.“

ManVsBeer 628 days ago

“Twin roomed shop unit micropub with a Second World War theme throughout and a cafe-bar setup. There's three real ales (all local on my visit) at the small bar in the corner after you enter. There's also a rear terrace area that's fine but not the most attractive of outdoor settings.“

ManVsBeer 629 days ago

“Shop unit micropub opposite the Sainsbury's entrance with a central door and seats either side of a central path to the bar at the back. Bright and airy, it has three real ales, three real ciders and a couple of craft keg. There's also limited seating out front.“

ManVsBeer 630 days ago

“A cafe-restaurant on the ground level, downstairs Chambers exists as a music venue and cavernous bar with a small maze of open plan rooms. You can sit under the grid of glass squares under the pavement and watch the shadows of people walk about you in the street too. The bar is on the left at the bottom of the stairs and about two thirds of the options were local over six pumps. There's some craft keg too.“

ManVsBeer 633 days ago

“Small shop unit version of a farmer's market at the top of the Creative Quarter and the cusp of the commercial centre. The focus is on real ales and ciders from the local area, such as Duddas Tun, Canterbury Ales, Gadds, Time + Tide. Sell both bottles and cans.“

ManVsBeer 635 days ago

“Corner bar at the top of the Creative Quarter with central doors and large glass windows. Wooden floorboards enhance its already relaxed and laid back feel. Its keg has fairly ordinary options including craft. Ale and ciders are gravity poured from a sliding window behind the bar.“

ManVsBeer 636 days ago

“Modern-traditional wooden heavy split-level pub with a rear garden terrace garden. The latter is quite large and enclosed. There's a couple of local real ales at the bar, not a beer destination but a pleasant place to sup.“

ManVsBeer 637 days ago

“Tall former chapel building on the cusp of the commercial centre. There's two floors in an all open plan space under its roof, which is painted with clouds. There's also an iron staircase to take you to the upper section where you can look down on proceedings.“

ManVsBeer 641 days ago

“Large spacious pub by the harbour front, there are 4 cask pumps, food was available and was reasonably priced.“

joe19612 690 days ago

“Restaurant downstairs, bar upstairs with a patio overlooking the harbour. Has 4 keg tap and 1 cask pump. The upstairs bar does do a bar menu, however on our visit food was not available. Nice clean bar area.“

joe19612 690 days ago

“We visited here Wednesday 17th July 2019, this was the third and final pub that we went to in Folestone, as already mentioned in the other place reviews we were heading back to Germany and decided o this occasion to spent in town as we are usually camped up somewhere a few miles out prior to getting a Eurotunnel the following morning.

The Firkin Alehouse like the other two establishments (Kipps and Bouverie) is also quite central and is roughly positioned between the two for those on a pub crawl, it is closer to the latter. Much like the other two places this is a pub that clearly hasn't been a pub previously (at least in the traditional sense) as such it lacks a little historic feeling as it is quite plain, rectangular and simply furnished. The layout is tables and chairs, and a bar at the far end, with fridges towards the rear (RH side as I recall?) . However what this place lacks in historic feel, it more than makes up for in friendliness, feeling welcome and whilst it may not be a MicroPub (I am not sure if it meets the definition, again it feels a little big) it nonetheless has the feeling of a MicroPub. The landlord was friendly and chatty and we asked him where he sourced his Belgian beers and it was nice to hear that he gets them from the same family run operation that we go to, Dranken Van Woude, Pervidje Dixmuide, *we also go to Dranken Geers which is also a family run affair. The beer choice was easily the best of the three places, with a some good UK beers and as you'd expect some good Belgian beers.

“

Fin 1709 days ago

“We visited here Wednesday 17th July 2019, this was the second place that we visited in Folkestone and as mentioned in the other review, we were heading back to Germany and spent a night in Folkestone as we often tend to inadvertently overlook the place and stop outside of town when in the camper.

Kipps Alehouse is more centrally located and is at the top of one of the nicest shopping streets in town, I guess that it is pretty much in the thick of it. As others mention it would be difficult to describe it as a Micropub, it certainly ticks many of the Micropub boxes other than it is too big to fit the key criteria. It is located on a corner and most of the seating is around the perimeter, which whilst great for people watching is a little odd as the layout seems a little odd and doesn't appear to have made best use of space. The bar is on the right at the rear as you enter, the is an area off to the left of the bar, otherwise it is a reasonable sized, plainly kitted out room.

The beer choice was pretty good, with Tiny Rebel amongst the offerings. Service was swift though it wasn't so busy. It was a friendly place, their was a nice mix of folk and it was mostly just chatter in here. Loz really liked it, I l also liked it though possibly not quite as much as Loz, though after a couple of beers (we stayed for two) I warmed to it even more.“

Fin 1709 days ago

“We visited here Wednesday 17th July 2019, we were heading back to Germany and spent a night in Folkestone as we often tend to inadvertently overlook the place and stop outside of town when in the camper.

The Bouverie Tap is just to the west on the main shopping area, though it is still close enough to be considered reasonably central. I am not sure what it would have been before becoming a Micro-Pub though something like a butchers possibly? It has quite an attractive small frontage, pained in green, etched (or appearing etched) windows tiling at the entrance, large window, door to the RH side Inside the bar is on the left and at the rear, there are lots of old enamel signs on the walls, the decor is green, simple wooden tables, a few flags, Union Jacks and perhaps a couple of seafaring one's I'm not sure. There was a staircase in the middle of the pub, not sure if this was just to a cellar or whether there was a cellar bar?

The barman was friendly, it had a pleasant vibe, we would have liked to have sat outside but one or two tables here were already nabbed. I quite liked it here, the beer choice was ok, it could have been a little more inspiring, Loz was disappointed that there was no decent keykeg or particularly hoppy offerings. Not my favourite in town, however a good place.“

Fin 1709 days ago

“small pub with good selection of beers and atmosphere.“

ResinousChalice29 1868 days ago

“Moved next door to original location. A little bigger so more people can be seated. Beer fridge offers interesting beers especially from Belgium. Just gets better and better. Good cask list with interesting beers from breweries from around the country. Micropub in Folkestone. Really well run micropub with beer consistently in good condition. Beers and cider and mostly from Kent, but with beers from other counties. Choose your beer from the blackboard and all served on gravity (cellar is viewed with a window) and delivered to your table.“

harrisoni 1907 days ago

“Underground, a cosy bar and a larger room where you can eat. Decent selection of local stuff, good value food.“

kwik-lime 1915 days ago

“Smallish micropub, nice selection of local ales and ciders, friendly environment.“

kwik-lime 1915 days ago

“Visited 16/1/2019. Situated just round the corner from the Radnor amongst the main West End shopping area, this is a Micropub of sorts and I really liked it. Opened about 18 months ago. Visited around 9pm Wednesday evening and it was busy with all tables in use, but there was space at the small bar. Selection of beers is modest but interesting, offering 3 local cask ales and a few local bottles, plus taps including 3 from Curious Brew alongside Krombacher pils and dark and a house pils. Owner was very welcoming. The place is attractively decked out in a huge amount of wartime memorabilia. Food here we were told is very good but we’d already eaten, it looked the part. Absolutely one I will go back to when next in Folkestone.“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Visited 16/1/2019. Situated in the 'West End' opening May 2018 transforming the former Frenchman pub into what could be described as a gastropub, they've done restoration to a high quality, with the interior very attractively designed. Highly recommended locally by people we spoke to for the food, we visited and ate our evening meal there one evening and it was very good quality. Beers are a bit pricy (highest we saw in town) but the selection is decent. Three cask beers from Tonbridge Brewery (which I've not seen elsewhere) with around 17 other beers and ciders on tap served attractively through 6 mash tun displays including Pig & Porter and Time & Tide. Service was good too, and definitely recommended if that side of town (which is where some of the best hotels are situated).“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Visited 15/1/2019. Hats off to Wetherspoons, so many buildings would have fallen into decay if it had not been for them, and this building is a prime example. This conversion of an 18th century Baptist church opened in 1998 and is one of their best, looks magnificent from the outside and has been sympathetically restored inside with attractive booths, ornate glass and ceilings. Seating is over two levels. Usual 'spoons touches added, food menu, carpet etc, but sadly the beer selection wasn't great. But definitely a pub to include on a Folkestone tour if only to take in the building itself.“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Visited 'The Chambers' 15/1/2019, though had previously visited around 2012 and remember liking the place then and this visit was no different. Take the cellar bar entrance door not the corner entrance in the photo. Stairs leads to a very cosy bar on the left and a much larger multi-purpose room to the right. Great selection of local ales (including Docker and Hop Fuzz), and ciders, available on tap/bag in box plus a selection of bottles with Bittenden featuring strongly. Very friendly helpful service. Good place and recommended to visit.“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Visited 15/1/2019. Very attractively displayed shop with an impressive and varied selection of produce. Beer and ciders (along with wine etc) stocked at the back of the shop. Decent selection of local ales (only place I saw Goody’s) and especially varied in its selection of Kent cideries. Bought a half dozen bottles, could have got more though no room for more. Service was friendly and helpful. Only shop in Folkestone to get bottled beer/cider in any quantity. At the front of the shop there was another area for beers which were past their BB dates so I’m not wholly convinced on the turnover judging my that, but it’s definitely a place to check out if in town. Visited on a Tuesday (they are closed Monday and Wednesday in winter).“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Visited 14/1/2019. Had been recommended it for the food and it didn’t disappoint (nor did its sister pub the Harbour Inn the next night for food though that’s not a beer destination). Service was excellent. Beer and cider selection mostly local focused with maybe 8-10 of note including a number from Kent Cider. Recommended for a food/drink combo visit especially in warmer weather as the patio area at the back looked particularly inviting.“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Visited 14/1/2019. Would fully endorse the review from imdownthepub - definitely my favourite place of the 8 that we visited over 4 days in Folkestone. Great service too.“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“First visit 14/1/2019 then a few more times that week as working close by. Small, genuine, Micropub which has been open over 6 years (the first 5 years next door to current location). 3 ales from cask, 6 ciders, and around a dozen bottles/cans (mainly Belgian) in 1 fridge are offered. A few locals/regulars were in each time we visited. Friendly service. No music, TV, phones or food. Just does what the original concept of a Micropub set out. Enjoyable visits.“

Grumbo 1925 days ago

“Small micro pub situated handily near Folkestone Bus Station, just right for popping in before your bus arrives. Single roomed, all the beers are gravity served from a cellar room. Friendly with a steady flow of people trying the beers. Really pretty good.“

imdownthepub 2150 days ago

“Quite a large old building, heavily modernised inside, clean and efficient rather than welcoming. The patio area is very pleasant on a hot afternoon. The beer range is quite small with a couple of guest beers. Successful but a little too impersonal.“

imdownthepub 2151 days ago

“Situated on a lane just away from the Old High Street, this is quite a foody pub. The beer range is pretty limited unfortunately, with mostly nationally available beers and one local. Little for the beer hunter but a nice old building and friendly Landlord.“

imdownthepub 2151 days ago

“A handy store in the 'Creative Quarter' of Folkestone, just a couple of doors up from the excellent Kipp's Alehouse. It sell artisan foods and gifts plus a decent range of local, Kentish beers. There is a strange pricing system going, where there is a single price for a bottle size, but it must work for them. Well worth a visit.“

imdownthepub 2151 days ago

“Not really a micro pub as such but definitely a great find. It is a single room with varied furniture scattered around, there is a full on bar to the front right as you walk in, banks of keg lines, then chilled casks on stillages behind the bar. The beers are all written up on chalk boards above the bar, there are also a range of ciders and wines available. The food here is very decent and recommended and the toilets are immaculate. All in all this was certainly the top place in Folkestone for us and we would definitely revisit when back this way.“

imdownthepub 2153 days ago

“Wandered in after looking for a place to eat. Plates are huge, neither of us could finish it and the prices were reasonale. Large selection of beers, most of them known, but some unknown cask ales for me.“

dutchbeerpages 2547 days ago

“Best pub in Folkestone by far. Great beer, gravity fed and consistently in excellent condition. A wide selection of daily changing beers from both local and national microbreweries. Relaxed atmosphere making all feel welcome, owned by a knowledgeable and friendly guy. Definitely recommended if you are in the area.“

Kingy737 3070 days ago

“Nice selection of piwos combined with a friendly barkeeper and lots of of room inside. Bit too dartk ad most of them are but when we where there at 5pm this was no problem. Easy going pub with three new beers for us. Not bad.“

MichaelAwesome 3538 days ago

“Pub at the pedestrian area of Folkestone. We went there to have dinner ( they are suppossed to do very good food), but unfortunately we found out that the kitchen starts at 6pm for dinner - so we just had a few beers. Three or four special casks with some more mainstream taps and some very nice bottled beers in the fridge. The bartender was very friendly and nice and the atmosphere in the pub was ok but not that cozy. There is also a beergarden at the back of the premisses. Enjoyed the visit and would come back for the ticks.“

Reminyze 3538 days ago

“An easy going room with four high tables and maybe sixteen chairs. I bet your living room is bit bigger than that location. No real food in there, just some snacks - no kitchen. The owner was a guy standing around and asking us what we wanted. Despite their announcement you could enjoy am aotmosphere without kids our Lisa was welcome. Four piwos on tap changing nearly daily. Fine selection but the atmosphere reminds me of a fish and chips shop.“

MichaelAwesome 3538 days ago

“Very small micropub near the town center of Folkestone. It is basically a small room with four,five high tables and enough chairs to fit around and two tables on the outside. The host is taking your order (there is a blackboard with todays ales available) and brings you the beer to your table. He is a very friendly and nice guy and we felt welcome (even as "strangers"). Would recommend the pub anytime and would come back anytime.“

Reminyze 3540 days ago

“Claims to be the oldest public house in Folkestone, dating back to the 15th century. Not in the present building though, although even that is pretty old. A really friendly place with well-kept real ales. They were running a beer festival for National Cask Ale week when I was there with a range of beers from Derbyshire and Yorkshire including Deventio, Salamander and Thornbridge Jaipur IPA. The menu is typical pub-grub, but slightly better done than usual.“

berkshirejohn 5495 days ago