Randomness Guide to London - Differences between Version 23 and Version 22 of Phoenix, RM13 9YW

Pub in Rainham. It went through a period of being known as the "Phoenix at Rainham" after a closure and change of management around the end of 2018, but later reverted to its previous name of the Phoenix.

Note: According to the June/July London Drinker, the return to its previous name was in conjunction with a "major refurbishment". We haven't visited since the refurb, so some or all of the details below might be out of date.

It's a reasonably-sized open-plan pub, with a few different spaces and remains of dividing walls suggesting that these were once separate rooms. Decor is traditional, in shades of dark and light brown, and backless stools line the long wooden bar. To the left of the bar is a small space with a dartboard (including oche laid out in front) and a few seats. A larger space to the right has banquette seating, a few freestanding tables, and a door leading out to a large part-patio part-grassed garden.

Kake first visited on a Thursday lunchtime in June 2015. There was one other customer in, sitting at the bar and chatting with the member of staff on duty, and a few more arrived while I was there. No music was playing. The handpumps offered St Austell Tribute, Courage Directors, John Smith's Cask, and Abbot Ale. There were also keg taps for Strongbow, Courage Best, Guinness Extra Cold, and so on. A pint of lime and soda was £1.40.

Kake visited again on a Tuesday lunchtime in February 2019, after the change of management. There were two other customers when I arrived just before 2pm. Music was playing, not too loud, but in some competition with the sports news playing on a flatscreen with the sound on. The handpumps were clipped for Sharp's Doom Bar, Courage Directors, and Greene King Abbot Ale. A half of lime and soda was only 70p despite being made with a bottle rather than the gun.

As of February 2019 they don't do food or take cards, but they hope to start doing both in the near future.

Before the 2018/2019 change of management it also offered accommodation upstairs, but we're not sure if this is due to continue. The garden also used to have five aviaries, but again we're not sure if these are still there.

Accessibility: Step-free at one entrance and no internal steps to bar or seating. However, there is a rather unexpected step down into the ladies', behind the door, and a couple of steps down to the beer garden.

See also:

• Beer in the Evening comments
• Fancyapint review
• WhatPub entry

Powered by OpenGuides 0.83mod.
Site design adapted from the Creative Commons Licensed “Naturalist” by Darren Hester.

The textual content of this work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 licence.