skip nav  
 


Kings Head, Rochester

back to pub details

user reviews of the Kings Head, Rochester

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Seems to have been closed for quite some time now, but that's not surprising given how bad it had become there. Ten years ago, it was one the better pubs in Rochester with a decent friendly crowd. I assume a change in management lead to the introduction of dodgy djs and the biggest of pub turnoffs - karaoke.
Slaughtered_Lamb - 27 Aug 2012 12:29
DO NOT STAY HERE.........i booked this hotel for a christening so stayed over for one night, what they dont say is they do not have a car park so you have to park in a pay and display which thankfully was only round the conor.
we had a family room and what can i say, the bathroom door didnt shut, the toilet leaked dirty water when flushed, the sink taps dribbled the water out when pushed on and the fan sounded as if it was taking off.
the bedroom was no better, the tv had 4 channels there where no spare plug sockets unless you moved the furniture and when you did it was filthy the cups where tea stained and my bath towel was a cut off from another towel.
we decided to eat in the pub but when we went down food is stopped at 5pm so we had to eat out.
breakfast was the worst, i had toast which was not toasted and what was ment to be a full english but only had 1 sausage, 1 slice of undercooked bacon, cold scrambled egg, no mushrooms and 1 hash brown but when cut in half was over cooked that there was nothing in it and that cost me �6.50 my daughter had scrambled egg on toast and after a long wait because it was being cooked fresh it arrived very cold and she couldnt eat it, because we had to be out for 9.30 we couldnt ask for it to be warmed up so nothing was eaten. i am very disappointed in this hotel, this is one place we will NOT be going back to unless a lot of money had been spent on it and a change of staff
stephshell - 18 Oct 2010 21:46
Very nice pub especaily if you like a tradional feel.... We tried the "Blackrock" experience where they bring a volcanic hot plate with your choice of meat and you can cook it yourself to your preffered tenderness. If you are ever in rochester pop in and check it out!
jcottam - 17 Apr 2010 17:07
We were looking for a place to eat and considering the menu outside we thought this would be a ideal pub.

We had 3 pints of real ale and a coke for just �4.78, now we found this very strange but as they advertise real ale from 99p we thougth it might be normal.

The pub offers a special grill, a very hot pan is given to cook your own meat of fish.
But we didn't decide to this as my mates glass was very dirty with a dead beer fly sticking on the glass.
Also the chef was playing fruitmachines and his clothes were very dirty. As if it hasn't been washed over a month...


markos - 21 Sep 2009 20:41
Has changed a great deal in style over the past 10 years.

Previously, the focus was on upmarket traditional food and had a host of regulars.

Now, it always seems to be empty - the inside is well maintained and has a lot of original features but it is always empty at all times of the day and feels quite depressing with just a handful of people who play the multitiude of gaming machines that litter the premesis.

Other pubs such as The Crown, Coopers Arms and George Vaults (all within walking distance) offer so much more when it comes to atmosphere and life, there is little or no need to visit. It seems they don't even try to offer anything other than beer and empty tables.

Overall, it is empty and has a confused identity - is it traditional? Not really. Is it a modern pub? not as such. Is it an entertainment venue? Only at certain times of the year. With some TLC and focus, it could easily compete with other pubs locally but it doesn't offer any reason to go there.


Dunmall - 18 Jan 2009 10:39
why is it that when a company takes ove a decent pub with a good atmosphere and traditional decor they can get it so wrong the place is now dark and oppresive the beer warm (if you can get to the bar that is) its more like an amusment arcade than a DECENT pub
polomint - 17 Dec 2007 18:31
Seems to be lacking direction and identity. Went there in May and it was excellent, new menu with good food and well kept beer, nice and traditional. Used to visit this pub on occassion last year and it was always tired and dirty. Seems as though it has gone back to its old ways again in the last couple of months so probably will give it a miss from now on.
Acid - 4 Oct 2006 15:04
Prominent corner pub with a solid and attractive exterior. This pub is sandwiched between two other pubs, making for a a very interesting corner indeed. Pub is currently part of the local Veena Leisure chain. It has attempted to carry on the Hogshead tradition of good ales and good food in a relaxed bare wood atmosphere. The beers, though, are a little indifferent, and the food tends to stop being served earlier and earlier each time we visit. Bar manageress can be a bit rough and ready. Sometimes offers live folk bands who play VERY LOUDLY. I used to like this place quite a lot, but I'm loosing interest.
SilkTork - 6 Aug 2006 23:40
From the outside, the Kings Head is an inviting old building and being situated on the medieval High Street is very accessible. The interior however is rather disappointing and rather tacky with cheap England flags immediately drawing the attention. Whilst mainly geared towards a football watching customer base, there are also Folk nights, quiz nights and a Sunday carvery. Bar appears too small for the pub but there is another bar in a sort of side annex. Speckled Hen and Flowers were the Real Ale options when I was there. Nice little beamed ceiling, pool-room at the rear with a few old photos although you need to be a contortionist to play some shots. Another Rochester pub that is decent enough but best as part of a pub-crawl unless you intend to catch a match.
RogerB - 16 Apr 2006 19:23

got anything to say about this pub?

Please read our reviews policy before posting.
Only registered users can post reviews. Please log in. If you don't have an account yet, register here.