Secret Drinker reviews the Waste Land at the Albion Rooms hotel owned by The Libertines in Cliftonville, Margate

whatsoneditor@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 23 June 2023 | Updated: 09:38, 29 June 2023

The only time I’ve visited Cliftonville previously was to see a band at the Winter Gardens and my memory of the evening is extremely hazy.

I certainly couldn’t remember any pubs in the area so I wandered along Eastern Esplanade intent upon trying the first place I’m came across.

I fell at the first hurdle - spotting somewhere called Selina, I took a closer look but failed to identify what sort of establishment it was. Not to be put off, I ventured in and finally found a bar but after 10 minutes got fed up of waiting to be served and left.

The first place I found was Selina but after taking a good look round and finding the bar I got fed up of waiting to be served

A couple of doors down was another enigma, with a squiggly neon sign that was hard to decipher, so I entered a second mysterious venue.

This one was dark and deserted with what looked like a dining room on the right and a reception area at the back left. Inquisitive, and increasingly determined to get a drink, I continued to search the place until I discovered a set of stairs leading to a basement where I was sure I could hear some voices.

Having plumbed the depths I finally found not only a bar, but also a barman to serve me and a few fellow drinkers.

The Albion Rooms, on Eastern Esplanade in Cliftonville, claims to ‘embody the gritty and glamorous, where visitors are encouraged to indulge their whims’.

After looking around the Albion Rooms. and failing to find anyone, I finally spotted a flight of stairs down to the basement

This, it turns out, is the Waste Land, a basement bar/recording studio, underneath a hotel called the Albion Rooms which embodies the gritty and glamorous where visitors are encouraged to indulge their whims.

I just wanted a pint and, swerving the ever-more expensive Neck Oil chose a pint of Low Voltage session IPA from Brixton Brewery.

Suddenly I was joined by lots of Luvvie folks, along with a number of handheld fluffy dogs, all perusing the cocktail menu and kissing each other on the cheek.

By way of explanation for the influx, the barman took it upon himself to explain the place is owned by The Libertines and is a living art space with an opportunity for everyone to be creative or relax. I informed him the latter would be fine for me and took my jazzy pint glass to a quiet corner.

The shelf nearest my table featured a mannequin in a mask and a selection of forest animals (some under a glass dome, others on top)

Larger than life, you’ll find The Libertines on the wall in the outside area at the back of the hotel

As I looked on, the information he had imparted made perfect sense and I reflected on this incredible coincidence - in my last three visits to Margate I have, totally by chance, stumbled upon two venues owned by the infamous band members.

I believe the Love Café in the centre of town has now closed so presumably they’re able to concentrate all their efforts on this place.

But, and here’s the big difference – Love Café felt welcoming, inclusive and buzzy, the Waste Land (Albion Rooms) felt exclusive, disinterested and fuzzy.

I decided to avoid the Neck Oil and opted instead for a pint of Brixton Brewery’s Low Voltage IPA

The full bar line up available at The Waste Land, except for Roadie, which wasn’t on

At the former the staff made sure I was having a good time, here the staff enjoyed themselves and, unless you were part of the ‘in-crowd’ left you to your own devices.

To prove my point the barmaid came out front to hug her mate effusively and then spent a few minutes vaping together.

In fact, the barmaid spent most of her time hugging various people and the barman devoted a fair bit to hugging his puppy, while it was nestled in his partner’s arms.

The stage looked set for a band to perform but I wasn’t able to find out what time they were planning to play

I didn’t spot it on the way in, but I later noticed there is a sign for the Waste Land, which is the name of the basement bar/recording studio at the Albion Rooms

A most unlikely fellow came in and sat looking at a bottle of Heineken morosely without talking to anyone – as time went on I began to identify with him more and more.

For a change of scene I popped out front. There was a picnic table and a deal of gold paint, and spied a ladder, but there weren’t enough rungs for a swift departure so I returned for a second pint, Red Stripe this time, and took my chances in the area out the back used for smoking etc.

I passed a relatively polite sign which read: ‘Do not stand about here, if you are not hit someone else will be’. The wording on the other sign alongside has been censored by the editor, so you’ll just have to guess at that!

A likkle of what you fancy – each table contained a list of lite bites available at the bar

The toilets, like those in the Love Café, are almost an artwork in themselves. They were well maintained and fresh.

Outside the luvvie leader was holding court with her followers hanging onto every word so I cut my time here short too and went back to sitting alongside the empty stage with the silent Heineken man.

I came across this basement bar totally by accident and, whilst there are definitely elements which interested me, I have to say it’s an unusual mixture of styles and ideas which I struggled to make sense of.

Unlike the band’s other venture in town, the Love Café, which went out of its way to make everyone welcome, the Albion Rooms seemed more concerned at creating its own mystique and concentrated less on the people coming through the door.

I think the ladder must have been for show as it didn’t have enough rungs to make it useful

Most regulars were ordering from the cocktail menu. If you are in for happy hour, 5-7pm, they are available at the reduced price of £6

THE ALBION ROOMS, 31 EASTERN ESPLANADE, CLIFTONVILLE, MARGATE CT9 2HL

Decor: It’s eclectic and interesting enough, with a whole mixture of styles spread through the place, but in my opinion it needs to concentrate on signposting itself much more clearly. ***

Drink: There wasn’t a great deal of choice and I didn’t spot a beer on draught, but the Brixton IPA was a reasonable pint and the Red Stripe was a safe bet. **

Price: The Low Voltage might consider itself a session IPA but at £6.10 I’m not sure how many I’d have. The Red Stripe lager was cheaper at a fiver. The cocktails ranged from £8.50 to £9.50. **

Staff: I did at least get served here and the barman was good enough to share some information but both his, and particularly the barmaid’s attention was elsewhere. **