Pubs in Whitstable

The Black Dog is a brilliant micropub on the High Street. If you’ve not visited a micropub before, The Black Dog doesn’t have any TVs, and the music is muted to encourage good conversation and a more easy-going atmosphere. The ale selection is sublime, and there’s a good pick of organic wines, too. The decor is a touch eclectic, with some rather tongue-in-cheek touches, but it only adds to the character of the place.

Another excellent micropub, this time on Tankerton Road, is The Tankerton Arms. So if you’re on Tankerton Beach and beginning to get parched, it’s as good a place as any for a pint. Again, it’s a little quirky but really easy-going, with great ales and top craic.

Heading back to the High Street, the Ship Centurion is an old-world pub that’s well-loved by a legion of locals. It dates back to the 18th century. It graces the pages of The Good Pub Guide and is a firm CAMRA fave. It does serve food, but we simply visit for the ales. Try some of the other places to eat in Whitstable.

One street away, we also recommend visiting The Smack Inn on Middle Wall. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, but an absolutely cracking community pub that’s just a stone’s throw from the harbour. The food is good, especially the Sunday roast, and the beach hut-lined beer garden is enormous.

Another watering hole we love on the High Street is The Twelve Taps. You guessed it, there are 12 beers on tap for you to try. The selection is carefully curated from some of the best breweries in the business, both local and from further afield. The setting is casual, yet stylish and modern. It also has one of the best gin selections in Whitstable.

If you’re staying at our Whitstable hotel, The Handsome Sam is a fantastic micropub just a 20-minute walk away on Canterbury Road. The decor is pretty weird; the pub has a cat theme, and there’s a snowman on the ceiling, but its character is larger than life. It’s a real local favourite, with great drinks, simple but tasty pub snacks and friendly faces throughout.

The Rose in Bloom can be found on Joy Lane. It’s a nice pub, with an exceptional beer garden overlooking Whitstable Bay. Watching the sunset in the evening is one of the very best views in Kent. With a drink in hand, what more could you want?

Last but by no means least, The Peter Cushing is the local Wetherspoons pub on Oxford Street. You know what to expect from a Wetherspoons: a wide selection of cheap drinks and the fastest pub grub going in town. It’s named after the English actor of Hammer Productions horror movie fame who had a home here in Whitstable. The pub is housed in the town’s art deco former cinema, making it one of the most unique Wetherspoons we’ve visited.