I wouldn’t describe it as mobbed, but I’d certainly say it was busy and the hospitable crowd that greeted me had certainly been well camouflaged from outside.

There is a large bar to at right and centre as you walk in and a small lectern-style desk to the left, that the staff keep a careful eye on to regularly welcome diners and ascertain whether they’ve bothered to book.

If you do turn left you’ll find yourself in the area set aside for diners, which did look perfectly pleasant, but I swiftly headed right into Swanee’s Sports Bar and, equally swiftly, ordered a Gadds No 5 and a packet of salt and vinegar.

This was a particularly good example of the Ramsgate Brewery’s staple offering and I praised the barman who said: “Well, to be fair, it didn’t have too far to travel”.

I asked if it was usually this busy and was told it was a tad livelier due to it being Christmas Club payout night and, looking around, the festive season had started for some folk as soon as the folding had been pressed into their hands.

There was music playing in the background, set at a sensible level, and fortunately it wasn’t featuring sickly, sweet festive ditties.

There’s no pool table or jukebox here but I did spot a dartboard at the back left side of the bar, though a fair bit of furniture would have needed to be moved before anyone could step up to the oche. There was a very large, colourful fruit machine blinking away brightly but it was left to its own devices while I was in.

There was no hi-vis on display but everyone was welcome and there were plenty of workers in, though the atmosphere was convivial rather than uproarious. One group of tradesmen, sat at the bar, were tackling the thorny subject of politics and, from what I could ascertain, there was unanimous agreement both Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage are ‘complete idiots’. However, in a straw poll the entire group revealed they’d already voted for idiot #1 and, when the chance arises, plan to vote for idiot #2 as well.

I was perfectly happy ordering my drinks at the bar but I was approached by an impeccably turned out young man, with a tablet in hand, to enquire if I needed anything and I assume table service is offered as a matter of course.

A number of similarly polite requests were made during the rest of my visit and this, among several other things, at The Swan reminded me of times past when things were perhaps just a little more well-mannered and genteel.

I saw signs promoting live music and noted a singer by the name of Beth Hunt was due to perform at 8pm but sadly Mrs SD had chores lined up at home so unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay that long.

When I first saw this place from the front I’d thought it looked more like a seaside hotel but fortunately I’d seen the sign for a bar, as well as dining, so hadn’t been put off and walked around the side into Cedric Street to find the door.

I doubt anyone would deny the emphasis here is mainly on diners, but when I was in there were also many groups of locals and visitors enjoying a pint, or four.

The decoration and standard of all the furnishings is excellent and the gents were so well presented it seriously crossed my mind I might be the first person to visit them since they’d been redecorated. There are high ceilings, a picture rail all around a mix of modern downlighters as well as a number of trendy lightbulbs on adapted scaffolding – not all were switched on though and the level of lighting, like the music level, was well judged.

This was a busy Friday evening in mid-December but I’m sure the large outdoor area at the front of The Swan, complete with views of the beach, must be absolutely packed in warmer times. I bid the barman good evening and headed back to my chores, but I’m very pleased I took the time out to properly investigate this welcoming Westgate-on-Sea bar.

THE SWAN, 75 SEA ROAD, WESTGATE-ON-SEA CT8 8QG

Décor: High ceilings with a picture rail, all the furnishings and decorations are in excellent condition, if perhaps a fraction characterless. The gents were so pristine I wondered if I was the first to use them. ****

Drink: The deep red Gadds No5 bitter from Ramsgate Brewery was an excellent pint and Brixton Brewery’s Reliance Pale Ale wasequally impressive in its own way. There was a good selection of other drinks available and several people were already on the mulled wine. ****

Price: A pint of Gadds was £4.90 and the grab bag of crisps £1.20. The Brixton beer was £5.80 and a Beavertown Neck Oil 10p less (the cheapest I’ve found for a while). A Cruzcampo is £5.30 and a mulled wine £3.95. ****

Staff: Both barmen were excellent and all the waiting staff were efficient, attentive and cheery. Everyone was smart and keen to help. ****

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