Returning to the main bar, Ben decided now I’d got the measure of the place it was time to educate me further. Whether I was pre-occupied with concerns the Azzurri would beat us on penalties or was simply sleepwalking and failed to notice the massive Rainbow flag on the ceiling where everyone else was flying St George's, it suddenly dawned on me, this is a gay bar.Īs I was the only customer in, I took the opportunity to explore the place in more detail and discovered a 100% paved outdoor area, more rainbow flags, a purple pool table and cocktails on tap. She proceeded to ask Ben’s opinion whether her shirt should be worn off the shoulder or not, but when he claimed ignorance and suggested she ask one of her many gay friends she turned and asked my opinion? Cocktails on tap – there is currently a selection of three on offer but Ben assured me a new fourth cocktail will be added to the list very shortly Slabbed wall-to-wall, the outside area at the back of the pub is quite extensive His observations on the local Jewish community were interrupted by diminutive Molly who entered the bar through a door at the back wearing a massive England shirt at least seven sizes too big for her that looked more like a dress.Īlthough Molly, and Ben, and the boss, all live above the pub she generally works at another of his pubs, which was planning to show the footie. The colour scheme continues in the dance bar on the left had side of the pub but is broken up by the brick-look wallpaper. It’s a pity, he says, but the community isn’t big enough to justify keeping the synagogue open but they won’t let it go because of the cemetery at the back. He explained it closed down some time ago and now only opens for special occasions so he likes to be neighbourly and keep an eye on the comings and goings around the place.
A real ‘purple patch’ – I must have had my mind on the footie because it took me some time to notice just how many different shades of lilac, mauve and violet have been used around the pubĪt this point my host, who’s worked at the pub for five years, shifted the conversation dramatically when he spotted someone approaching the synagogue across the road. However, apparently the top man isn't loving the colour here and is planning to change it to blue – I agreed anything would be a huge improvement. I ordered the closest thing to bitter on tap, a pint of Shipyard Pale Ale while Ben explained his boss has three other pubs and always paints them the same shades of purple. Right on the border with Chatham, I almost missed the Ship Inn on Rochester High Street, but I’m in good company according to the barman 'as most people miss this one'īen the bartender followed me in, switched on the lights and explained his boss hates football so took the decision to open a little later at 1pm as he didn’t expect many customers. Popping into the Ship Inn at the Chatham end of Rochester High Street for a lunchtime loosener before the big match I walked past a local enjoying a smoke on the doorstep before realising it was the barman. It was the biggest day for the English national team for more than half a century but one pub declared itself a footie-free zone, gave the chef a day off and ignored all the hysteria.