Hero image

Drakes

+44 1622 356849
9 Fairmeadow, Maidstone ME14 1JP United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Open Today: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Quick Facts About Drakes

Strengths:
1. Comfortable and Rustic Atmosphere: Drakes offers a comfortable and rustic atmosphere during the day, making it an inviting pub for patrons who prefer a cozy environment.
2. Versatility: Drakes successfully transforms from a comfortable daytime pub to a lively venue with live bands at night. This versatility allows the pub to cater to different crowds and preferences.
3. Well-kept Beers: The pub is praised for its well-kept beers, indicating a dedication to quality and maintaining a good selection of drinks for customers.
4. Expansive Beer Garden: Drakes boasts an expansive beer garden, providing ample space for patrons to enjoy their drinks and soak up the sun. This feature adds to the overall appeal of the pub.
5. Traditional Front Bar: The traditional front bar creates a cozy and welcoming atmosphere for guests. It offers a comfortable space to relax and enjoy a pint, along with the added bonus of a pool table for entertainment.
6. Friendly and Attentive Staff: Customers commend the staff for being helpful, friendly, and attentive. This positive interaction contributes to a pleasant experience for pub-goers.
7. Live Music: The regular live music performances in the beer garden add an exciting and lively element to the pub. It enhances the overall atmosphere and provides entertainment for patrons.
8. Good Food: Although not all comments mention trying the food, those who have praise it, stating that the food is better than some restaurants in the area. This suggests that Drakes offers a quality food menu.
9. Likelihood of Making New Friends: One customer mentions that patrons are likely to leave with at least one new friend or acquaintance. This indicates a welcoming and social environment, fostering connections among customers.
Weaknesses:
1. Limited Drink Selection: While the beer selection is well kept, some comments suggest that Drakes could be more adventurous with its drink selection. This suggests that the pub may benefit from offering a wider variety of beverages.
2. Jukebox Restrictions: One customer highlights an issue with the jukebox, stating that the pub turns down the music even if patrons have paid to play specific songs repeatedly. This may disappoint customers who want more control over the music selection.
3. Technical Issues: Another comment mentions problems with the app used to order drinks, as well as difficulties in viewing the food menu. These technical issues may cause inconvenience for customers and should be addressed to ensure a smooth ordering experience.
4. Parking Challenges: Some patrons mention that parking near Drakes can be problematic. Although it is not impossible to find parking, this may deter potential visitors who prefer easily accessible parking options.
5. Winter Heating: One comment raises concerns about the effectiveness of the wall heaters in the beer garden during the winter months. Ensuring adequate heating in the outdoor area may be important to maintain customer comfort during colder weather.
In conclusion, Drakes has several strengths that contribute to its appeal, including its comfortable and rustic atmosphere, versatile day-to-night offerings, well-kept beers, expansive beer garden, traditional front bar, friendly staff, live music, good food, and chances for making new connections. However, there are also some weaknesses, such as a limited drink selection, jukebox restrictions, technical issues with the ordering app and menu visibility, parking challenges, and potential issues with winter heating in the outdoor area. Addressing these weaknesses while maintaining the pub's strengths will help Drakes to provide an even better experience for its patrons.


Best TL Reviews

This is a pub of two halves. During the day it's a comfortable pub with a rustic feel. During the night it's a lively venue with live bands. Somehow Drakes carries off both incredibly well. They could be more adventurous with the drink selection but the beers are well kept. Staff are helpful. I can't comment on the food because I've yet to try it. We'll worth a visit if you are in the area.
Damn good pub this one. Not the cheapest pint in town, but it's an excellent spot to enjoy decent beer, and soak up the rays in the beer garden which is expansive. The front bar is very traditional and cosy and they have a pool table which is an absolute bonus if you like shooting stick. Live music in the beer garden regularly so it gets lively. And that's a good thing. Definitely worth a stop in here on your local crawl. Staff are friendly and attentive too. And you can get a nice and lively Proper Job off the draw.
Everything is just right at Drakes. The atmosphere is perfect for drinking nights or morning chats, the drinks selection is great and prices are fair, the food that Will puts out is perfect and better than some restaurants round here, and the staff are some of the best, most warming people around. If you don't leave with at least one new friend or acquaintance, I'll be surprised.
Drakes is easily my favourite pub.
Nice place! Good food and a nice atmosphere. But if you want to play Justin Bieber on the Jukebox 15 times in a row, they turn down the music even though you paid for it ???? we had a great time here.
Great pub, cosy inside and a very large covered outdoor area with plenty of benches and room for bands to play, not sure how effective the wall heaters would be in the winter months..... the food served seems very popular and from what I saw very appealing, parking is problematic but not impossible, the pub is but a short walk from the town centre and if you're in the vicinity you should definitely check it out.
Nice and a beautiful pub. But has the problem with the app to order drinks. Also on the menu can't see the food menu when you open it.
Drinks and service great
Did not eat but will do next time
Great band last night 'Brothers from another cover '. Nice atmosphere and a unique space to hang out in.

Place Pictures

Resim
Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1 Küçük Resim 1

Drakes Info

Amenities

Service options
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dine-in
Health and safety
  • Staff get temperature checks
Highlights
  • Bar games
  • Live music
  • Live performances
Offerings
  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Food
  • Spirits
  • Wine
Dining options
  • Outside food allowed
  • Seating
Amenities
  • Toilets
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cosy
Crowd
  • Groups
Planning
  • Accepts reservations
Payments
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Today

Opening Hours

Monday 02:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wednesday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thursday 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday 12:00 PM - 01:00 AM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 01:00 AM
Sunday 02:00 AM - 10:00 PM

How to go there

Location