Evening street scene with pub sign, pink flowers, visible moon, and streetlights.
Group of men posing on a soccer field with some in sportswear
People gathering outside a building with English flag and street signs
Smiling person with colorful hair
Group of people dressed in themed suits and hats outside a pub, holding drinks and an oyster box.
Bartender handling glass at busy pub
Group of four men posing in a bar, one holding a drink, another wearing sunglasses, vintage style photo.
Two people sitting in a restaurant with a framed picture on the wall behind them, smiling.
Man in a black sweater with a white collar in a room with framed artwork on the wall.
People sitting outside a pub on a sunny day
Group of people in a pub holding glasses of beer, smiling and posing together.
Man with unusual haircut behind a bar with liquor bottles
Pink and purple flowers with a St. George's flag and blue sky background.
Group of people standing in front of a pub with hanging flower baskets and colorful bunting, outdoors.
Group of people outdoors, including a man in a suit with a ceremonial chain, a woman in a floral dress and hat, and a man holding a box, standing near a pub with flower baskets.
Person wearing a curly wig behind a bar, decorated with gold holly leaves.
Live band performing in a cozy pub with musical instruments including saxophone, clarinet, keyboard, ukulele. Warm atmosphere with audience seating, wall decorations, and drinks on tables.
Group of people in traditional Bavarian attire at a festive gathering.
Old-style pub building with a double rainbow in the sky, flags hanging, and vine-covered walls.
People in themed clothing outside a pub with hanging flower baskets, celebrating with drinks.
Two people in costumes at a party; one dressed as a blue character with red hat and pants, the other with a sunflower headband.
Elderly woman seated in cafe, wearing green outfit with red scarf.
Bitburger beer display with tap, bottle, and promotional sign on a bar counter.
Woman behind a bar smiling and waving, with various liquor bottles displayed on the wall.
Two people wearing festive hats in a pub setting with drinks on the table.
Two people wearing hats holding beer mugs in a pub setting.
Group of people in colorful suits with brand logos, standing outside a pub, holding drinks and a box.
People sitting outside a pub on a sunny day.
Group of people standing outside a pub with flower decorations and bunting on a sunny day.

our story

The Birks family took over this Free house in 1996 after returning from Germany and the pub has enjoyed success ever since largely due to their blend of traditional English and authentic German beer and food. They have also established an excellent reputation for their cask ales, supported by CAMRA and Cask Marque for many years as well as appearing in The Good Beer Guide throughout their ownership.

Jan Birks and Armin Birks have both sadly passed, so it is now their son, Roland, that runs the pub with the Bar Managers Jemma and Cadi, alongside their trusty team to ensure the upkeep of the legacy. The pub has a well established group of regulars and is proud to nurture a real sense of community.

The photos highlighted in this paragraph are very important for us, the first is a photo of our dearly departed landlord and landlady Armin and Janet Birks, who are the reason we do this today, their determination, business savvy and ultimately building of our tremendous community have been an inspiration to us to this day. We miss them each and every time we open the doors.

The Second was during lockdown, we don’t like to reminisce but it is integral that we remember how hard our team worked during that time, they worked tirelessly to keep in touch with our family of regulars because that is what we are here, family. The team and our wonderful delinquents pushed us to keep going.

Finally is the Whitstable Carnival once the worst had passed, we could laugh, dance and gather again, this photo was the first true event that we could get together and fully embrace the pub and the community we had missed so much. We are thankful for each and every one of you, whether you are here for a moment or a lifetime, we do all of this for you.

The pub is a confessional, where secrets are told and shared, where souls torn are bared. A watering hole where ideas ebb and flow, friendships are strengthened and ever grow. It’s more, much more than just a pub, it’s a community social hub. While fraternising with neighbours, making new friends, a job exchange and where courtship depends. It’s the last bastion of our speakers corner, so use it or lose it, or you’ll become a mourner.

-John Brooks