Secret Drinker reviews the Hussar Hotel, Canterbury Road, Garlinge, Margate

whatsoneditor@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 01:00, 26 January 2024 | Updated: 14:52, 30 January 2024

I made three assumptions about this pub which all proved to be wrong – note to self, don’t judge a book by its cover.

First, The Hussar is not a pub. Second, this isn’t Margate, it’s somewhere called Garlinge, and third, it’s time to rethink my skepticism about pubs with parked-up mobility scooters outside.

I thought The Hussar on Canterbury Road was in Margate, but I’m told the address is actually Garlinge, wherever that is? – and, it’s a hotel with six en-suite rooms

The Hussar Hotel, looking for all the world like a pub dating back to the 19th Century, has six en-suite rooms upstairs, offers some great Thai food and is a real family affair.

Unfortunately, the chef is currently back in Thailand visiting her mum for the first time in four years so there was no chance of sampling what I’m reliably informed is some wonderful, authentic food.

There wasn’t any beer on tap (I don’t count John Smiths) and I wasn’t ready to pay Neck Oil prices yet, so I opted for a bottle of 4.2% Hobgoblin Gold. Mrs SD went for her usual large Sauvignon Blanc and when I saw the price I realised it was probably as well I avoided the Beavertown.

I decided not to go for John Smiths or a Neck Oil so opted for a bottle of Hobgoblin Gold. Mrs SD went the usual Sauvignon Blanc route

Ye Olde Game of Darts – I just hope the players are decent as this board looks a little too close to the bar for comfort!

I noticed a couple of plaques positioned over the bar, one celebrating ‘Big Sid’ Rook for putting in half a century of local quaffing and one marking the loss of Matt ‘Worzel’ Perrot, which I felt was a nice touch (I assume “Up Yours” was Worzel’s favourite saying).

One regular, still with us but certainly getting on in years, was Jack the diminutive hound who is happy to walk on the pub carpet but refuses to set foot on any wooden flooring. Now aged 16, he seemed perky enough, but turned down the offer of a biscuit as he no longer has any teeth.

The next four-legged visitor was a good deal bigger and a darned sight livelier, but Boris the Boxer had visited the vet for a blood test so he was immediately served up a bag of pork scratchings by way of a reward. We didn’t meet the pub hound but this is clearly a dog-friendly venue.

This is a rear view of 16-year-old, toothless Jack, who was quite happy trotting across the carpet but stopped sharp at the wooden floor and refused to take another step

A nice touch, these plaques, positioned directly over the bar, pay tribute to two regulars. I’m assuming Big Sid is still with us, while Matt Perrot has moved on to the pub in the sky.

All the two-legged regulars favour sitting on stools at the bar, which, whilst it’s pleasant for them, is a bit of a bugbear of mine as it makes it tricky getting to the bar to be served. There are stack of tables and seats but they were pretty much left empty.

The Hussar might be a hotel, but it definitely feels like a pub – there’s a quiz machine, two electronic fruities, a dartboard, a pool table, a jukebox and big screens for sport, although no-one was interested in Cape Verde playing Mozambique, even though the former won 3-0.

There were also several of those mildly amusing ubiquitous quotes dotted about. Oscar W’s ‘Work is the curse of the drinking classes’ and Mr Sinatra’s ‘I feel sorry for people who don’t drink, When (sic) they wake up…that’s the best they’re going to feel all day’. You can thank Grammar Policewoman Mrs SD for spotting the deliberate error.

The sun was shining but the weather was decidedly chilly so it wasn’t surprising to find the garden was empty

Wish You Were Beer – This is the back room, which provides pool players with plenty of room to get around the table. The screen in the front room was showing football but this one was switched off.

Having weaved my way through the punters to the bar I discovered I was stood alongside landlady Michelle’s mum, who can often be found in this seat. Interestingly Michelle started working behind the bar here when she was aged just 18 and she’s wanted to own it ever since.

Some 80 years ago The Hussar was owned by Michelle’s great uncle, so taking the place on with her husband Dave back in September 2021 really was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream and they’re still working hard to make it a success.

There are several notices around the bar promoting what The Hussar can offer – private parties, weddings, christenings, marquee events etc.

You might just be able to see the bandage on poor old Boris the Boxer’s leg – though he quickly forget about the visit to the vet when the scratchings arrived

Sitting next to the back door which leads to the garden was this quiz machine and one of the two fruit machines

I’m sure Dave does plenty in the background but I think it’s fair to say Michelle takes the lead behind the bar, while Dave is left to make sure the log burner is kept well-stocked. In fact, he must do plenty in the background because, just as we were about to leave, he collected his snooker cue to pop out for a few frames saying he’d definitely earned some time out.

Joking aside, I’m sure they’re both putting in hefty shifts to make sure this hotel business becomes the success they want it to be. And, as if to prove the point, before he headed out the door Dave explained their plans to redecorate and improve the dining area on the left-hand side of the pub.

I never did find out who travelled to the pub on the scooter but I am aware there is a village suburb of Margate called Garlinge and, for the record, it might officially be a hotel, but it feels like a pub.

Dave says this side dining room was bright red when they took on The Hussar so they had to tone it down a little, though he says they now have plans to redecorate again

The patio area of the garden has several tall, chunky wooden tables and high stools

HUSSAR HOTEL, 219 CANTERBURY ROAD, GARLINGE, MARGATE CT9 5JP

Decor: From outside it looks like a pub, inside it looks even more like a pub, but it is a hotel. It’s tidy and clean and there were plenty of scented candles dotted around the bar. ***

Drink: The wine was fine, but for £9.50 it could have been better and I’d like to see at least one decent beer on tap. The Neck Oil wasn’t as expensive as I feared and was well-kept and served. **

Food: I can’t give a rating for this one, but several locals raved about the Thai food. And, it’s two for one on Thai Tuesday.

Price: A bottle of Hobgoblin Gold will set you back £4 but Mrs SD’s large Sav Blanc was £9.50. A large house white was much cheaper at £6.50 and a Beavertown Neck Oil (compared to some places) was relatively cheap at £5.70. A packet of crisps is £1.20. **

Staff: It does feel like a pub for locals, but both Michelle and Dave are working hard to make sure they create a friendly atmosphere that will attract plenty of families and their four-legged friends. ****