We visited the 'worst' nightclubs and bars in Kent according to reviewers to see what they're really like
Most of us really don't mind where we go out as long as there are good drinks and music, but other people find their clubbing experience much more important
Vicky Castle
Victoria Chessum
Sian Elvin
The Source Bar, Maidstone
Clubbing – you either love it, or you hate it.
Most of us really don't mind where we go out as long as there are good drinks and music, but other people find their clubbing experience much more important.
So much so that they feel the need to write a TripAdvisor review about the nightclubs. And some are less than flattering.
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Here are some of the worst reviews of Kent clubs on the site, with just one or two stars – but compared with what our journalists at Kent Live really think of them.
Cameo, Ashford
Cameo nightclub in Ashford a brilliant night out (Image: Licklist)
One reviewer said they were "disappointed" and gave it one star.
They said: "I paid above average local prices for drinks and cigarettes and the Barman had the gaul to serve me a Jagerbomb mixed in a single glass after spending £12.50 on a pack of smokes and one drink. Would not return for love nor money."
We say : "It's definitely overpriced both to get in and for drinks, and the bar serves napkins with the drinks as if it justifies the cost.
"The stairs aren't the best either – completely black so difficult to see and not stumble over in the dark, and it's a maze trying to find all the different floors, which aren't very clearly set out.
"That said, it's a huge improvement on the previous clubs in Ashford, and the door staff are much more strict with who they let in.
"And with three different floors, there's music for all tastes."
Club Chemistry, Canterbury
Club Chemistry in Canterbury
A reviewer gave it one star, calling it an "awful, awful place".
It said: "Rude staff. Drinks were low quality. No atmosphere and felt like I was just being fleeced of my money the whole time. Very unwelcoming, would avoid at all costs!"
We say : "Club Chemistry is always going to be the place everyone ends up in, whether it's from 10pm or after drinks in other bars.
"We actually think it's great. The three floors gives people choice of where to hang out (and it keeps the queues down at the other bars in the premises).
"The club is more tailored to students, being a Kent hot-spot for youngsters given the two universities."
Funky Monkey, Dover
One reviewer gave it one star, saying it was a "not nice, unfriendly place".
The review said: "Sticky dirty carpets. Unwelcoming rude staff. Expensive drinks as well as paying on the door and for hanging your coat up. Trouble from the start."
We say: "You get what you expect when you go to Funky Monkey… they sell the cheapest draught in town so it would be unfair to think it would be amazing.
"The club has been refurbished since this review though, and looks much better inside. You can play pool if you want, too.
"It's fun for a cheap night out.
"Also it's not like you have much else choice in Dover."
Gillespies, Folkestone
Gillespies on the harbour in Folkestone
One TripAdvisor review gave it one star, saying: "A disgrace to Folkestone's image.
"Lots of outdoor fighting and rough clientele. And lots of weirdos hanging around the outdoors. Not recommended."
We say : "Yeah it's not great. The music is dated, the décor is dated, the drinks aren't great and the clientele are always looking for a fight. To be honest if you look at some of the bar staff the wrong way you could find yourself in a row.
"But it's a great location to look out over the harbour. So as long as you order something from a bottle and sit outside, you'll probably be fine."
Pitcher and Piano, Tunbridge Wells
The Pitcher and Piano
The most recent TripAdvisor review gave it two stars, describing it as a "crowded overpriced sweatbox".
The review states: "Avoid like the plague on a Saturday night.
"It's enormously overcrowded to the point of dangerous. It will take you a good half an hour to get to the bar to order a drink, and when you get there you'll have to part with your entire life savings just to afford a beer."
We say: "Pitcher and Piano seems to generally be the club of choice for the older, non-student crowd in the town, probably due to the common rumour that it is over 21s only, though there is no evidence of that on their website.
"The venue itself is actually pretty reasonable as the building is decent enough and it actually has a really nice smoking area.
"Some people say the bouncers can be a bit enthusiastic when it comes to ejecting you from the premises, but in my slightly hazy experience of tripping over a bench and demolishing a table of drinks, then spending at least five minutes apologising and offering to replace them all – I didn't get kicked out, so it's probably not that bad.
"The worst things from my experience are the traditionally sticky flooring and the fact it can get very crowded with little ventilation on the dance floor, much like the experience of the TripAdvisor user above. Can take quite a while to get served too."
Rokka, Ramsgate
Someone on TripAdvisor gave it one star, and said: "Awful place, no wonder it was empty on a Saturday night.
"I went here with my friends recently and was pleasantly surprised that the cocktails were two for one, the bartender told me this was until midnight.
"I happily ordered and next was the turn of my friend. To our dismay we were told the cocktails were no longer two for one as it had passed 11pm.
"Firstly I had just got this deal a moment earlier, and secondly we were told this offer was until midnight. I asked to speak to the manager, and the bartender pointed him out to me across the room.
"I approached him and after explaining he said the bartender would never have told me the wrong time. He was rude and practised awful customer service, implying that I was lying!"
We say: "It's not that bad.
"The drinks are good, the music is good and when all the other bars in Ramsgate are closed, it's not a bad option.
"They've got good deals on drinks throughout the week and great music nights for house lovers.
"The Greek restaurant serves tasty meze dishes and the night time bar is popular with young people.
"It can get quite busy so prepare for loud and sweaty dancing, but after a few beers in the town, what more do you want?"
Tap 'n' Tin, Chatham
One reviewer gave it two stars, saying it was a "youngsters' place to get blotted".
It said: "Cheap drinks, loud music, vomit central as customers main aim is to get mindlessly drunk! Certainly a place for mature people to avoid!"
We say : "Alright, so it's pretty sweaty in the Tap N Tin – but everyone seems to love it, and the atmosphere is pretty great.
"As for the loud music and cheap drinks – what more could you want from a nightclub?
"The staff are friendly and helpful too."
A reviewer gave it one star, and said: "Entry is overpriced, always full to the rafters, drinks are pricey, security let all the wrong people in and turn away the 'normals'."
We say : "It's not too bad in terms of music, and some of the entertainment is pretty cool – when I went there was a random dancer with an axe grinder... (It was safe!)
"It is a little expensive to get in and the drinks are too, but I'm not sure what else you expect for the centre of town.
"The clientele leave something to be desired too… One girl challenged me to a fight when she thought I was staring at her boyfriend! I wasn't, for the record."
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Zee Bar, Tunbridge Wells
One reviewer gave it one star, saying: "One of the worst places I've been to! Allowing people who throw drinks in other people's faces to stay yet other people get thrown out!
"The bouncers' man-handle people and throw them to the floor for no reason!
"Such a lovely place! Not!"
We say : "I had my first experience of Zee Bar approximately two weeks after moving to Tunbridge Wells, and I very much have a convoluted opinion on the nightclub.
"It has a different vibe from the other places in the town that I've visited, with far less pretentiousness and more people actually letting their hair down.
"Inside, there's very much a mixture of a fun, convivial atmosphere mixed with a slightly toxic aura – with an argument or fight never feeling as if it's too far away."
What do you think? Do you agree? Let us know below...
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