THRIVING TOWN CENTRE PUB BUZZES WITH LIVE MUSIC POST LOCKDOWN

A central Ramsgate pub is raising a glass to booming business, thanks to lively live music nights.

Shepherd Neame’s Horse and Groom pub at Charlotte Court in the centre of the coastal town can now be found hosting local bands most Friday and Saturday nights, as well as Sunday afternoons – and they are going down a treat with locals.

Licensee Jamie Berry and his wife Sam, who took over its running just over four years ago, began staging the evenings as soon as they started at the venue.

But neither was prepared for their popularity post lockdown.

Jamie said: “As soon as we reopened we tried the Friday nights and they just took off. We are busier than we ever were.

“Most of the time we are rammed to the rafters when the music is on,” he added. “We have got a really good vibe. And there’s such a brilliant crowd. If someone new walks in they’ll be talking to one of my regulars in no time.

“There is such a mix of music around Ramsgate and it seems to be really buzzing now.”

The toe-tapping nights have featured a mix of musical acts to suit all tastes, ranging from The Jive Guys, The Rockin Fury’s, the five-piece Krackerjack Party Band and Sam Spade Ska Man to Phoebe and the Bear.

They have also just launched Friday Pizza Nights to cater for hungry music lovers, with pizza available from 6pm to 10pm.

The couple, who have four part-time staff at the pub, also see a very brisk trade on Sundays, as their homemade roast dinners, which are available from noon to 4pm, often sell out. Jamie advises those wanting to try it, to book a week ahead.

The friendly local pub is deceptively spacious inside and out, with space to cater for its many visitors, inside and out, where there are two courtyard gardens.

It also has a lively games scene, with four petanque teams, as the pub backs on to a community petanque piste; a well-used pool table and darts board. 

These games will also form part of plans being put together for celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, which will be revealed nearer the time.

The Horse and Groom opens from Sunday to Thursdays between 11am and 11pm and between 11am and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.