Long before anyone had heard of the likes of Brewdog or modern craft beer, people in Kent would make their way down to a good old-fashioned boozer.
In the Noughties, pubs across the county were full of fun, as our amazing archive photos show.
Outrageous characters at the Queen Victoria pub's "bad taste day" in Herne Bay in April 2007. The pub, dating back to 1864, closed in 2013 and is set to be turned into a block of flatsGary Blake, barman at the Five Pointed Star pub in West Malling, downs 8.5 pints for Children in Need aided by organiser Corinna Simpson in November 2002 . The pub is still open todayPolice minister Hazel Blears visited The Wheatsheaf pub's youth club in March 2005. Today the Chatham pub it is sadly permanently closedPunters at Ye Old Leather Bottle in Dover Road, Northfleet, on June 30, 2007, making the most of the last day before the smoking ban in pubs. The pub, which dates back to 1734, is still going today. Picture: Nick JohnsonThe landlord of the Punch and Judy in St Stephens Street, Tonbridge, lies in a coffin in September 2008 as part of his protest at the death of the British pub trade. The pub is still going today. Picture: Matthew Walker
Things changed drastically over the decade - with the smoking ban in July 2007 coming as a culture shock to landlords and punters.
Here, with these classic pictures, we look back at some much-loved pubs we have lost. Yet many are still going strong today...
2001
It's the early Noughties in Kent so, of course, Rik Waller features in our archive photos. The Pop Idol star was snapped in the Upper Bell pub in Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, in December 2001.
The historic inn dated back to 1816 but sadly by March 2005 it had been boarded up. The Lower Bell remains open.
Rik Waller at a karaoke night at the Upper Bell pub, Blue Bell Hill, in December 2001. The pub was sadly boarded up by March 2005Town centre police officers Ian Woodland (left) and Alan Bugden with licensees Roy Gilham of the Prince Albert and Ken Brandy of the Elephant and Hind, who were among the first to join Dover's new Pubwatch scheme in November 2001. Both pubs are still operatingCharity night at The North Foreland pub in Rochester in December 2001. Supporters of the Lions Club and pub regulars are pictured in fancy dress. It was one of Medway's best-known pubs but sadly closed for good in 2013Regulars at the Royal Oak pub, Mersham, on New Year's Eve 2001. It closed in 2020 amid the Covid pandemic
Also pictured in 2001 were regulars taking part in a fancy dress night at The North Foreland pub in Rochester.
It closed in 2013 and sadly remains shut to this day.
2002
This was the year of Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and the World Cup finals in Japan.
Fans packed pubs across the county in June to watch in despair as Ronaldinho's free kick sailed over David Seaman's head, knocking England out.
Regulars welcoming the new year at the Toastmasters Inn in Burham, Rochester, in 2002. It is now operating as the Butcher's Block. Picture: Keith ThompsonStaff at the Duke of Edinburgh pub in Barming, Maidstone, celebrate its re-opening in January 2002. It is now known as the Rockin Robin on the GreenOpening of the Walnut Tree pub, Aldington, in January 2002. The pub is still going strong todayPunters at The Captain Howey Pub in New Romney in February 2002. It is still going todayFun day and Easter egg hunt at The Bell in Bredhurst, Gillingham, in March 2002. The pub is still going today. Picture: Barry CrayfordManager of The Flower Pot pub in Maidstone, Graham Luxton, had his head shaved in aid of the Kent Air Ambulance in March 2002. The pub is still serving punters today. Picture: John WardleyPlaying darts at the King Edward VII pub in Goschen Road, Dover, in April 2002. It sadly closed in 2010 and has been turned into a convenience store, though the pub sign still hangs from the side of the building. Picture: Mike WatermanLandlord Peter Martini with friends celebrating St George's Day with flags and free buffet in the evening at The Renaissance pub in Dover in April 2002. It sadly closed in 2010. Picture: Matt McArdleOutside the Brickmakers Arms in Luton Road, Chatham, in June 2002. Held aloft is Brian Crawley who walked from Orpington to raise money. The pub is still going todayFans watch England's clash against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup at the Old Ash Tree in Chatham. The pub is still going today. Picture: Andrew WardleyStaff celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Crown and Sceptre pub in Dover in July 2002. Twenty years on, the pub is still going strongLegendary pub landlady Jackie Bowles, who sadly died in 2019, celebrating 40 years at the Louis Armstrong pub in Maison Dieu Road. The pub is still open today. Picture Mike WatermanQuiz night at The Oranges pub, Ashford, in October 2002. The pub sadly closed in 2012. Picture: Mike WatermanA punter gets ready for a leg shave at a charity night at The Black Bull pub in Folkestone in October 2002. The Black Bull is still going but is now part of the Hungry Horse chain. Picture: Dave DowneyRuth Higham was a popular visitor to the Red Lion pub at Charlton Green, Dover, in December 2002. The pub is still going and recently welcomed a new landlord. Picture: Phil MedgettIn Deal in December 2002, Saracen's Head customer Dave Coe had all of his body hair - from the top of of his head and including eyebrows and between his toes - removed for charity. He is pictured with landlady Pam Canale. The pub in Alfred Square is still going today. Picture: Mike Waterman
Happily, many of the pubs featured from our 2002 archives remain open today.
There were many charity fundraisers, including a barman who downed eight-and-a-half pints for Children in Need and a punter who had all of his body hair removed.
2003
Probably the biggest event in Kent's pub world in 2003 was a performance by The Libertines at The Tap N Tin in Chatham.
A picture taken from the iconic gig ended up being used as the cover for their second album.
The legendary Tap N Tin Pub and Club in Chatham, in February 2003. Indie band The Libertines performed there later that year. Picture: Matthew WalkerFolkestone band Battleska Galactica in The Star pub, East Hill, Ashford, in March 2003. The pub is still going todayStaff at the Wetherspoons pub in Dartford wearing Beer goggles in May 2003. The Flying Boat is still going todayWendy Ireland, proprietor of See Ho pub in Shorne, Gravesend, is pictured behind the bar with the girls who work as bar staff in June 2003. The pub is still in business todayCharity wheelie bin race at the Three Horseshoes pub in Hernhill, Faversham, in July 2003. The pub, run by Shpherd Neame, is still serving pints today. Picture: Derek StingemoreSparky the Shetland pony with John Baldwin at the Warren pub in New Romney in October 2013. The pub is still going today. Picture: Terry ScottPunters at the East Kent pub in Whitstable taking part in an Ann Summers fundraiser in October 2003. The pub is still going today and has a woodfire pizza kitchenFans at the Cross Keys pub in Canterbury watch England defeat Australia in the Rugby World Cup final in November 2003. The pub is currently shut but there are plans for a revamp
Another year, another world cup - but this time England were victorious, albeit with a different shaped ball.
In August, Brogdale, near Faversham, reached the UK's highest ever temperature of 38.5 °C, a record it held until July 2019.
2004
Neil "Razor" Ruddock and Paul O'Grady were among the famous faces dropping in to Kent pubs during 2004.
Fans once again adorned their England shirts, but it was heartbreak once again, defeated by Portugal in the Euros.
Singing along to DJ Pied Piper and the Masters of Ceremonies at a karaoke session at the Railway Tavern in Teynham in January 2004. It sadly closed in 2015. Picture: Barry CrayfordCharity pub crawlers posed for a picture outside the Old Prince of Wales in Ashford in January 2004. It sadly closed in 2019. Picture: Dave DowneyNeil 'Razor' Ruddock with his brothers singing karaoke in the Fox pub, Hythe Road, Ashford, in February 2004. The former footballer was among investors who helped it reopen as the New Fox Inn in 2019Radio 1 were at the British Queen pub in Maidstone for the FA cup final between Man Utd and Millwall. It sadly closed in 2015 and a block of flats has been built on the siteBeer Festival at the Frog and Toad pub in Gillingham. The pub is still going today. Picture: Jim RantellAs the crowded Farmers Pub in Sevenoaks was threatened with closure in June 2004, fans of the pub gather to show their support - and watch England in the Euros. Sadly, it shut two years later. Picture: John WesthropPaul O'Grady enjoys some oysters at the Walnut Tree pub after opening Aldington school feteVillagers in the Royal Oak in Charing in August 2004. Sadly, it closed in 2016. Picture: Matt McArdleLocals at The Half Moon in Hildenborough were over the moon as they watch Kelly Holmes win her second gold medal at the Athens Olympics in August 2004. The pub is still going today. Picture: John WardleyLandlord of The Harp Pub in East Peckham, Peter Palmer, with his cockerel Corky in September 2004. He received a letter from Tonbridge and Malling council telling him to keep the noise down, following complaints about late night noise from pub-goers and early morning crowing Picture: John WardleyA bare-chested punter smiles after his hot wax experience at The Thompsons Bell at Walmer in November 2004. The pub, which dates back to 1674, is still going today. Picture: Ben Brown
In other pub news, Corky, a Rhode Island Red rooster who lived at the Harp pub in East Peckham, was hit with a gagging order by the council after neighbours complained about his early morning crowing.
Landlord Peter Palmer later appealed the noise abatement notice - before the cockerel was stolen. Mr Palmer then left the pub in summer 2005. Corky was sadly never found.
2005
A huge appeal was launched for victims of the devastating tsunami in Indonesia which struck on Boxing Day 2004.
Staff at the Badgers Mount in Sevenoaks were among those raising money.
Maggie White and regulars of the O'Connell's pub in Chatham presenting a cheque to Kent Air Ambulance in January 2005. It later became the Railway Tavern but sadly closed in 2016. Picture: Jim RantellStaff at the Badgers Mount pub in Halstead, Sevenoaks, dress up for a fun day to raise money for the Tsunami appeal in January 2005. It is now a Toby CarveryA 24-hour pool marathon for Comic Relief at The Bishop's Oak in Tonbridge in March 2005. The pub sadly closed in 2010 and has been turned into a Sainsbury's Local. Picture: Andy BarnesVillagers at Woolage Green, near Canterbury, were campaigning in March 2005 to stop The Two Sawyers from being turned into a house. They were victorious and the pub is still going todaySteve Penfold, centre, caught a baby flung 30ft from a blazing block of flats in Stanhope, Ashford, in April 2005. Here he is pictured at The Nelson pub, which was sadly demolished in 2011The St Gregory's Catholic School leavers' ball was at The Plough at Leigh in Tonbridge in May 2005. The pub is still going todayPunters at The Coach and Horses pub in Strood in May 2005. The pub, dating back to 1754, is still going today. Picture: Jim RantellMC Truth (centre) with MC's Fluid 360, Ripley and Montanna at the Horse and Groom's music festival in August 2005. The Dartford pub is still going todayChris Smith's Gate Inn pub at Marshside, Canterbury, appeared in the Good Bear Guide for the 30th consecutive year in September 2005. The pub is still going today
New Labour were still in power and police minister Hazel Blears visited the youth club at The Wheatsheaf in Chatham in March.
Two months later, the party won the General Election but their majority was cut to 66 seats.
2006
Kent hit the headlines in 2006 when about £53 million was raided from the Securitas depot in Tonbridge.
The county's pubs were rammed once more for the World Cup - but fans were left in despair as England were knocked out by Germany.
The Butcher's Arms in Herne is still going strong and was the UK's first ever micropub. Landlord Martyn Hillier is pictured here in February 2006. Picture: Barry DuffieldStaff and drinkers at The Ashes, Maidstone, succumb to World Cup fever in June 2006. England were infamously knocked out by Germany. The Ashes is still going strong todayThe Bat and Ball pub did a roaring trade as Elton John perform at the St Lawrence cricket ground opposite in June 2006. The Canterbury pub closed in 2017 and was turned into L'hote restaurantFun day at the Ship pub in Rochester High Street in July 2006 in aid of Demelza House. The pub is still going todayThere was a party for landlady Caroline Godden who in August 2006 was leaving the Thistle and Shamrock pub in George Lane, Folkestone, after 10 years. The pub, which dated back to the 15th century, closed in 2009Halloween dress-up at The Funky Monkey in Dover in October 2006, a few months after it opened. It was recently confirmed that the venue has permanently closed. Picture: Nathan Sutton
Kent pubs were changed forever on July 1, 2007, when the smoking ban came into force.
Anyone wanting to light-up would now need to do so outside and - as some of the pictures below so - many publicans weren't best pleased with the changes.
Morris dancing day at the Green Man Pub in Hodsoll Street, Meopham, in January 2007. The pub burnt down in 2021 after being hit by lightningChildren, staff, volunteers and police at the Good Intent pub in Rochester who were nominated for a Pride in Medway Award in January 2007. The pub, dating back to 1858, closed in 2020 in order for eight new homes to be built on the siteCelebrations for Australia Day at the Court House pub in Dartford in January 2007. It closed in 2016A punter takes advantage of the smoking area at The White Hart in Canterbury in May 2007, which was built ready for the forthcoming smoking ban. The pub, dating back to 1819, is still going todayLandlord Mark Hughes of the Blacksmith's Arms, Clyde Street, Sheerness, smokes defiantly in May 2007 outside the pub with regulars Fred Ross, Kenny King and Bob Bailey. The pub closed some timed after 2013 as has been turned into homes. Picture: Mike SmithJohn Hodder, owner of the Foresters Arms in Charlotte Street, Sittingbourne, pictured in June 2007, feared he would get more noise complaints with smokers having to go outside his pub. The pub closed in 2017. Picture: Andy PaytonOutside The Cherry Pickers in Ashley Avenue, Cheriton, Folkestone, in June 2007. The pub was ravaged by fire in 2014. Housing has been built in its place. Picture: Danny Rhodes'Pub Olympics' at the King's Head in Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne, in August 2007. The pub is still going today. Picture: Mike SmithLove Music Hate Racism Festival at The Neptune in Whitstable in September 2007. The pub is still going today and is said to be popular with visiting celebritiesLaura Gilchrist who worked at the Daylight Inn in Petts Wood was shortlisted in the High Street Honey competition organized by FHM in October 2007. The pub is still going today. Picture: Matthew ReadingRocky Horror night at The Kingfisher in London Road, Dover, in November 2007. The pub closed in 2010 and was turned into a betting shop. Picture: Barry Duffield
Fearing the smoking ban would put him out of business, Mark Hughes of the Blacksmith's Arms in Sheerness, took drastic action.
He placed a sign in the window saying it is a "smoking pub" where "non smokers are welcome, but have to stand outside for five minutes every half an hour".
In February 2008, he was fined £30 after being caught smoking during a raid by council officers and police.
In other news, Folkestone was hit by a earthquake in April, registering 4.3 on the Richter scale and damaging several hundred buildings in the town.
2008
The effects of the financial crash were being felt across the country in 2008, as the the government nationalised Northern Rock and the economy contracted.
Some 4,000 pubs in the UK shut between 2007 and 2009, before a resurgence in 2010.
Participants in the Great Valley Run outside the Mermaid Inn in Bishopsbourne, Canterbury, in January 2008. The pub, dating back to the 1860s, is still going today. Picture: James WhiteClosing down party at Roseneath pub in Arden Street, Gillingham, in March 2008. It was converted into a homeOutside The Crown pub in St Michaels, near Tenterden, in March 2008 where actor Sir Donald Sinden unveiled a new sign. The pub, which dates back to 1832, is still going todayPunters and the landlady of the Buffalo Head pub in Chart Sutton, near Maidstone, cuts Anthony Creasey hair with clippers for charity in August 2008. The pub closed in 2011. Picture: John WesthropStaff dressing-up in pink to help raise money for charity at the Golden Lion in Rochester in October 2008. The Wetherspoon pub is still going today. Picture: Peter Still
By this time, X Factor had long replaced Pop Idol as the talent show of choice on our TV screens.
Winner Alexandra Burke had the best-selling single of the year with Hallelujah.
In other music news, Maidstone hosted Radio 1's Big Weekend, which was headlined by Madonna.
2009
This was the last year of New Labour, as the Conservatives came to power (albeit with the help of the Lib Dems) in 2010.
In Kent, high streets across the county said a sad farewell to Woolworths, after it was plunged into administration.
The Barnaby Rudge in Broadstairs was packed in February 2009 with punters listening to The Goosebumps. The pub is now sadly permanently closed. Picture: Paul AmosRegulars at the Who'd Ha Thought It in Baker Street, Rochester, celebrate the return of Lawrence Dallaglio to the pub in February 2009. The pub is still going today. Picture: Peter StillA new promotion to attract more women to watch football at the Red Lion in King Street in May 2009 - if they wore a football shirt, they got a free drink. The pub, which dates back to 1650, is still going todayA fundraising extravaganza at the Little Crown pub in Chatham in May 2009. The pub, dating back to 1828, was closed by 2017. Picture: Steve CrispeThe 'Chatham Tarts' outside the Royal Marine pub in Brompton wait to greet the troops arriving on Armed Forces Day in June 2009. The pub sadly closed in 2013. Picture: Susan PopePunters and landlord from the Millers Cottage pub in Gravesend posing for their own Calendar Girls style calendar, raising money for charity in July 2009. It sadly closed in 2018. Picture: Julie StokesStudents on a "Carnage" pub crawl in Canterbury in October 2009Much-loved former landlord of the Red Lion in Stodmarsh, Robert Whigham, pictured in October 2009, when he told Channel 4 documentary makers how he drank 15 pints of beer a day, with the first "sharpener" as early as 8am. Robert sadly died in 2016, and the pub, near Canterbury, was suddenly closed in September 2022. Picture: Channel 4
Another significant moment for Kent residents came in December 2009 when the high-speed rail link to London opened.
The pace of change has remained relentless - and sadly some classic Kent pubs have struggled to survive.
Yet many historic inns continue to flourish today. We can all raise a glass to that.
