Prince of Ales
Prince of Ales
4.5
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Tuesday
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Thursday
5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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155 within 3 miles
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104 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
41 reviews
Excellent
31
Very good
5
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
0
Twotoneskaman
Chatham, UK2,777 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
I had been wanting to visit here for a while and it did not disappoint. The ales and cider were excellent and it was great to try something different from all the generic offerings that can be found in Rainham. I really liked that you could hold a conversation without loud music, wall to wall wide screen TV's and mobile phones going off every second! The service was friendly. I will return and would not hesitate to recommend to others.
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vic B
1 contribution
Jun 2018 • Solo
excellent selection of well kept ales served by friendly staff...if i wanted charisma id go to the theatre.
Written June 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon S
47 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
I visited on a Saturday evening. The place was almost full, seating-wise, and remained so more or less until I left around 9:30pm, which shows how popular this little pub is. Pints are served at your table direct from the tap room, and the overall feeling is of a friendly and cosy little establishment. It lacks the sort of distractions which I usually dislike, such as televised sports, and proved to be a very pleasant place to spend a Saturday evening. I found the owner/manager very helpful, and the ale was very tasty. I'll definitely be back for more.
Written February 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tony2711james
Lower Halstow, UK3 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We have visited this place on several different occasions to give it the benefit of doubt but we can confirm that this is the most unwelcoming of all the Micro Pub's we have visited.
I can only assume the first visit was at a bad time as there was one 'local', the bar man and us...the beer was very average at best.
2nd visit we were greeted by a tall slim non charismatic chap who turns out was the owner! What a miserable man, serving us half pints was far too much trouble for him. (sorry but the driver would only drink 1/2 a pint with a bag of crisps).
My next visit will be the last time I ever go in the place. Same miserable man served us quite clearly showing his dislike that we had dared to enter his establishment and interrupt his conversation.
The Ale was overpriced compared to others in the area, the only reason to visit this place is if you live next door or cannot make one of the other Pubs in the Medway Towns!
I can only assume the first visit was at a bad time as there was one 'local', the bar man and us...the beer was very average at best.
2nd visit we were greeted by a tall slim non charismatic chap who turns out was the owner! What a miserable man, serving us half pints was far too much trouble for him. (sorry but the driver would only drink 1/2 a pint with a bag of crisps).
My next visit will be the last time I ever go in the place. Same miserable man served us quite clearly showing his dislike that we had dared to enter his establishment and interrupt his conversation.
The Ale was overpriced compared to others in the area, the only reason to visit this place is if you live next door or cannot make one of the other Pubs in the Medway Towns!
Written June 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RichMK2015
Milton Keynes, UK118 contributions
Oct 2019 • Friends
After hearing their was a new Micropub in town we decided to check the place out.
My initial impressions were that whilst the place is compact there was a good use of space and ample seating. The interior also looked very quirky and I liked the visual effects of the wooden seating
There appeared to be around 4 beers on tap as well as a few ciders. I have to confess that I didn't think this was a good selection for a dedicated Ale House. I have to confess, I was expecting more of a selection given most pubs tend to have 3 or so Ales on cask.
Whilst I appreciate the pub is an Ale House there was no lager or even craft beer etc. Which would have been nice to broaden the selection.
The beers however were extremely well priced and I believe the most expensive was still less than £4 per pint - excellent.
Then we sat down which is where things started to go wrong. The wooden benches, despite looking nice, were the most uncomfortable things I have sat on in recent memory. Not only were they unforgiving they were too narrow and neither of us could get comfortable. This really hindered our ability to enjoy ourselves as you couldn't help but constantly fidget and look for somewhere nicer to sit - there weren't any real good options on this front.
What also didn't help is that despite it being a Sat eve, albeit with heavy rain, there was never more than 4 other people in there. This made the atmosphere really quite odd as everyone could easily hear your conversation. I couldn't help but think some TV's to watch the sport or some appropriate music would have really helped.
The Good
- Cheap beer
- Table service
The Bad
- Disappointing beer selection
- The most uncomfortable seating
- Odd atmosphere
In Summary
If it wasn't for the cheap beer, in all honesty I probably would have given a 1* rating.
Whilst it may seem I am being a bit harsh on the place I really belive there is a lot of potential here. A few smallish tweaks like improving the seating and adding something like a couple of Tv's or games would work wonders to improve the experience.
Whilst there may only be room for a few pumps perhaps alternatives such as bottled beers would improve the range.
If improvements were made I would be keen to come back otherwise I would say the place is for hardened Ale enthusiasts only.
My initial impressions were that whilst the place is compact there was a good use of space and ample seating. The interior also looked very quirky and I liked the visual effects of the wooden seating
There appeared to be around 4 beers on tap as well as a few ciders. I have to confess that I didn't think this was a good selection for a dedicated Ale House. I have to confess, I was expecting more of a selection given most pubs tend to have 3 or so Ales on cask.
Whilst I appreciate the pub is an Ale House there was no lager or even craft beer etc. Which would have been nice to broaden the selection.
The beers however were extremely well priced and I believe the most expensive was still less than £4 per pint - excellent.
Then we sat down which is where things started to go wrong. The wooden benches, despite looking nice, were the most uncomfortable things I have sat on in recent memory. Not only were they unforgiving they were too narrow and neither of us could get comfortable. This really hindered our ability to enjoy ourselves as you couldn't help but constantly fidget and look for somewhere nicer to sit - there weren't any real good options on this front.
What also didn't help is that despite it being a Sat eve, albeit with heavy rain, there was never more than 4 other people in there. This made the atmosphere really quite odd as everyone could easily hear your conversation. I couldn't help but think some TV's to watch the sport or some appropriate music would have really helped.
The Good
- Cheap beer
- Table service
The Bad
- Disappointing beer selection
- The most uncomfortable seating
- Odd atmosphere
In Summary
If it wasn't for the cheap beer, in all honesty I probably would have given a 1* rating.
Whilst it may seem I am being a bit harsh on the place I really belive there is a lot of potential here. A few smallish tweaks like improving the seating and adding something like a couple of Tv's or games would work wonders to improve the experience.
Whilst there may only be room for a few pumps perhaps alternatives such as bottled beers would improve the range.
If improvements were made I would be keen to come back otherwise I would say the place is for hardened Ale enthusiasts only.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting us and leaving a review.
Just to clarify a few of your points, we are not a 'new' micropub, having been open now for 3 years and 7 months.
Your points about Lager, Music and Tv's can easily be answered with the official description of a micropub.
A micropub according to the Micropub Association is defined as follows: "A micropub is a small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales, promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks".
UnfortunateIy I think you maybe confusing us with a traditional "pub" that offers all the things you were looking for.
Written October 17, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rich G
Gillingham, England, United Kingdom112 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
As someone who tends to wax lyrical in my reports, I will for once refrain and submit one in keeping with this fine ale house - honest, clean and extremely functional.
I have been a regular visitor to this establishment since it first opened and the fact that I live over 3 miles away and often walk probably speaks volumes.
The ale and the rapport with staff and customers go hand in hand - both stimulate the senses and are of premium quality. If all ale and people were the same, the world would be a dull place and engaging in banter is like trying a new ale - it won’t always be to our taste but it’s what helps make that world go round.
With such a range of ales and conversation, you’ll leave feeling enriched and maybe a tad light headed!
Chris, Karl and staff can be accused of many things but never of lack of wit or wisdom.
I have been a regular visitor to this establishment since it first opened and the fact that I live over 3 miles away and often walk probably speaks volumes.
The ale and the rapport with staff and customers go hand in hand - both stimulate the senses and are of premium quality. If all ale and people were the same, the world would be a dull place and engaging in banter is like trying a new ale - it won’t always be to our taste but it’s what helps make that world go round.
With such a range of ales and conversation, you’ll leave feeling enriched and maybe a tad light headed!
Chris, Karl and staff can be accused of many things but never of lack of wit or wisdom.
Written November 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
william p
Rainham, UK24 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
At last a fantastic place to enjoy real ales in Rainham Kent. Carl and Chris, co-owners took the gamble to open up the micro bar knowing the discontent local real ale drinkers have had for a long time, suffering sub standard beer in many of the pubs. Typical Green King and Shepherd Neame pubs whose choice of beer is very minimal and not kept very well. You are sure of a warm welcome from bar staff and the locals. As mentioned before, the atmosphere is very pleasant and from first time visitors to 'regular locals' you will soon be involved in conversation. When Carl and Chris are on duty you will always get a friendly welcome and a beaming smile from Chris in particular. Lager drinkers beware..... It's real ale, cider or wine for an alcoholic beverage and that's it. Go on give ale a try. You never know you might like what's on offer. They held their first beer festival at the Oast House near the station and over two days were able to pass on £5000 for urgent restoration to the building. Not bad. Oh I forgot. No TV, no music, no fruit machines and mobile phones banned. Heaven. Well done to all the staff for such a great achievement in such a short time.
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
keithtalbot3
Sittingbourne, UK32 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Exceptionally friendly bar offering an excellent choice of cask beers and ciders. No lager thank goodness. It has restricted opening hours but if you want a drink and a good old fashioned chat with friendly people, this is an excellent place to visit.
Written May 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
manabouttown75
Rochester, UK17 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
Worst Micropub in the area.
Have visited several times now and on each occasion there are 3 bog standard ales on and never a dark, feels like they're phoning it in. Real shame.
Ales that were on were in really good nic.
Have visited several times now and on each occasion there are 3 bog standard ales on and never a dark, feels like they're phoning it in. Real shame.
Ales that were on were in really good nic.
Written October 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry you feel you had a bad trip. However your statement about "never a dark" is incorrect - we have a Stout or Porter on 99% of the time, and will only be not on when we have to change a cask for another.
Maybe you could tell me what day you visited or list the "bog standard" ales?
Written October 26, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
chriscampingman
Rainham, UK48 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
Lovely quirky place with honest prices and helpful staff. Its just a good place to go and unwind everyone else is friendly too
Written October 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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