So, what do you think is the connection between Medway Beer Belly's 50th issue and the Barge? The answer is that in the very first edition of the magazine the Barge was one of only three advertisers. Now for a bit of history. The pub started life as stables which were built by French prisoners of war captured during the Napoleonic Wars. These were then converted into fishermens' cottages, and again into a public house called the Cricketers, possibly because a cricket ground was known to stand opposite.

The name change to the Barge occurred when Tim Robinson, the current owner, bought the pub in July 1991 with the idea of changing it into something completely different from other establishments in the town. He decided on an ale and folk music theme, and to this day that original idea has never been altered, but enlarged upon to make it a premier folk music venue. To further make the pub different from any other in town Tim decorated it in a style which complimented his ideas of what a pub should be. So in keeping with the pub's name the ceiling was painted in the pattern of dark wooden boat timbers by the artist Jamie Montgomery, and illuminated by suspended candles. The walls are mostly adorned with old photographs of barges and memorabilia of sailing boat, again in keeping with the pub's image. The bar furniture is arranged in two rows of high wooden bench seats and tables; on each table sits an encrusted wine bottle supporting a lighted candle. When writing my notes for this article I felt like Ebenezer Scrouge scribbling away with illumination only from the flickering candlelight. Indeed, the only electric light in the pub is from behind the bar area and above the pool table.

This has been a folk and ale house for the past 15 years, with the music as important as the beer. Monday is 'Folk Night', and during those years it has built up its reputation as a premier music venue seeing artists like John McCormack, Mike West and Brendan Power perform there. On the first and third Wednesdays in each month Tim hosts a 'Bards at the Barge' evening, with musicians invited to perform a fifteen minute session. The pub is unique in that musical instruments are kept permanently on site for any musicians who turn up and want to perform an impromtu session during opening hours. Tim also hosts a Jazz evening on the second Thursday of every month.

So that's the music side catared for, what about the beer? For real ale drinkers the choice is a selection from five hand pumps with regulars being Bass and Daleside Shrimpers Ale, supported by three ever-changing guests: Tim says that in a typical year they probably get through between 150-200 guest ales. The pub isn't only a music and ale house, but also caters for the more sportier minded of its regulars by supporting both a darts and pool team. Past trophies won by both teams are displayed on a shelf behind the pool table immediately to your left as you enter the pub.

You might think that would be the end of the pub's ways of entertaining its guests, but you'd be wrong. It also boasts an outside patio area with seating, and a garden affording superb views over The River Medway, where you can sit and enjoy a drink on a barmy summer's day whilst admiring the view.

Stepping into the pub for the first time you immediately notice how dark it is. However, once you're adjusted to the light levels it's easy to feel the ambience and friendliness within and will be tempted not to leave.