Allkin Tap and Bottle — Restaurant in Tunbridge Wells

A wise man once told me, "An olive tree is only as good as its olives." I’m fairly certain he was slightly deranged—he had that distant look of a man who had spent too many years talking to pelicans—but I took his words to heart. To me, it meant something deeper, something truer: a pub is only as good as its staff. And if that’s the case, then Allkin might just be one of the finest establishments in the land.

You see, a pub is more than just a place that slings drinks. Any fool can stock a bar with decent beer and whiskey, but it takes a special kind of place to make you feel like you belong the second you step through the door. That’s where the staff come in. Take Beeran, for instance. Oily-haired and slightly feral-looking, as if he’s just returned from a long stint in the wilderness, possibly surviving on berries, Augustiner and raw determination. There’s something untamed in his eyes, a flicker of madness that suggests he might break into a Shakespearean monologue at any moment or challenge a stranger to an arm-wrestling match over some long-forgotten slight. But beneath the wild exterior? A good chap. The kind of guy who remembers your drink order and pours it with the reverence of a priest preparing communion on Easter Sunday.

Then there’s Curtis. Curtis talks about fish. Constantly. I don’t know if he was raised by a trout or if he once had a mystical experience involving a carp, but if there is a thought that crosses his mind that isn’t somehow fish-related, I have yet to witness it. But here’s the thing—you find yourself listening. You find yourself nodding along as he explains the migratory patterns of tuna or the complex aquatic hierarchy of a nearby lake. Before you know it, you’re agreeing with him about the "action" of his "rod", even though five minutes ago you weren’t entirely sure what the term "butt section" meant. Another good chap.

And then there’s the pizza. God, the pizza. It takes me back to my early days of being a street sweeper in New York City in the mid-80s, standing on some street corner in the hazy glow of a flickering neon sign, a folded slice in hand, grease dripping onto the pavement, the distant wail of a saxophone player echoing through the night. That kind of pizza. A pizza that makes you nostalgic for a time and place you might not have even been to. It’s got that perfect balance—a crisp yet chewy crust, sauce that tastes like it was made by someone’s English teacher who still teaches in Italian, despite teaching in England. You take a bite, and for a moment, everything else fades away.

So yeah, maybe that old pelican-whisperer was onto something after all. If a pub is only as good as its staff, then Allkin is top of the line. ⛴️ It’s a place where you come for a drink but stay for the people, where the conversation flows as easily as the pints, where even the most wayward wanderer can find a home for a few hours. And, if you’re lucky, you just might leave knowing a little more about fish than you...

Delicious beer, really nice space. Accommodating staff.

We arrived just as they were shutting, despite it stating online that they were open until later. We were rather irritated as a couple of other bars in the area had closed early too (on a Saturday!) and all we wanted was one decent beer each as we caught up as a family. I was cross and expressed it, regrettably, but the staff said they'd stay open which we really appreciated (there were a couple of people in there too). We all thoroughly enjoyed our beers and will definitely be back - can see why the place has five stars across the board! I also noticed vegan pizza options so looking forward to trying that at some point. £30 for five drinks which we all thought was reasonable for the area and the choice on...

We first visited not too long after the bar's launch. There was no food available at that point, but I believe there are plans to do so later in the year. In the meantime, they are partnering up with a local burger bar, and deliveries can be arranged using an app service.

There is a great choice of drinks, in a light and bright bar, with good loos and really friendly staff.

We have been back many times and have not been disappointed. We've taken different friends with us, and they have all been impressed too.

We wish the guys the very best of luck for the future. It is wonderful to have such a smart bar in the...