Escaping the freezing chill of a February afternoon on the south coast, we popped into the Lifeboat Inn in Market Street, Margate, and enjoyed an unexpectedly fabulous time.
The interior is as pleasantly shambolic as its affable landlord, with a tiny bar flanked by racks of ale and cider.
In the corner, half under wraps, there seemed to be several components of a large organ, while bags, cards, bits of paper, newspapers and an accordion topped off with a Monopoly box were strewn around the backroom area.
In other words, it’s the sort of place where you can feel right at home straight away. We loved it.
The selection of real ales and ‘proper’ ciders was second to none, and you get the feeling that the landlord really cares about the ales.
After some leg-pulling and cheeky nagging by our fellow drinkers, the fire was constructed and we settled down for a really lovely hour chatting away.
If we didn’t have stuff to do, we could have easily spent the entire afternoon here. And probably the evening too.
Front bar with sawdust floor. Note the coat rack across the tables!
Warming by the fire.
Some of the ciders on offer. ‘Double Vision’ sounds good. ‘Triple Vision’ sounds even better.
I had a couple of pints of Tonbridge Coppernob and it was indeed a lovely ale. Very more-ish, as they say.
We snacked on a simple platter of cheese, bread and pickle which was very tasty indeed (even if the food did arrive in waves).
The large mirror in the back is covered in notes from satisfied customers. And a mouse, apparently.
We loved this pub. It’s great. Go there. Get drunk.
Address
The Lifeboat Inn
1 Market Street
Margate, Kent CT9 1EU
07837024259
Email aleandcider@thelifeboat-margate.com
Website: thelifeboat-margate.com
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday
12 noon to 12 midnight
(“We shut earlier according to trade, but never before 10 PM”)
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