Kent pubs putting on live music, beer festivals and BBQs for the early May Day bank holiday weekend in 2024
There’s lots of great events going on during the early May bank holiday weekend but, let’s be honest, most of us are just happy spending the afternoon at our local boozer enjoying that smug feeling of an extra day off.
Pubs all over Kent are putting in the effort to make the first of May’s long weekends one to remember, with live music, beer festivals, BBQs and more. Here are our top picks…
The White Lion, Tenterden
We all know a bank holiday weekend starts the minute you leave the office on Friday, and the White Lion in Tenterden will be ready and waiting with a night of live music. Funk, blues and soul band The Bones, who were originally formed by staff members from the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and regularly support the NHS with charity gigs throughout the year, will be performing.
Details: Friday, May 3 at the White Lion in Tenterden from 9pm. Free entry.
Iron Pier Brewery, near Gravesend
Craft beer brewery Iron Pier in Northfleet will once again be putting on their Spring Beer Festival over the early May bank holiday. There will be 25 cask beers and 18 different kegs for punters to try, along with a variety of street food served on each day.
Details: Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5 at Iron Pier Brewery in Northfleet, near Gravesend, from 2pm. Free entry.
The Port Arms, Deal
Acoustic singer David Shepherd is returning to the Port Arms, a seaside pub in Deal overlooking the coast and specialising in Jamaican food. The musician will perform a set of chilled-out cover songs as the sun sets over the English Channel.
Details: Saturday, May 4 at the Port Arms in Deal from 9pm. Free entry.
The Bierkeller, Maidstone
Is it a pub, restaurant, beer hall or club? No-one really knows, but something we do know is that Maidstone’s Bierkeller is a great night out. The German-themed venue is throwing a garden party over the long weekend, with live music from Eurodance group Livin’ Joy and house group Baby D who will be playing their throwback hits. There will also be dancers, a DJ and a BBQ.
Details: Sunday, May 5 at The Bierkeller in Maidstone from 4pm. Book tickets here.
The Chequers, Sevenoaks
A bank holiday weekend deserves a proper knees-up, and that’s exactly what’s on offer at The Chequers in Sevenoaks. Rock ‘n’ roll function band The Licks will be performing all the biggest anthems from the likes of David Bowie, Price and the Rolling Stones at full volume, so bring your best Jagger swagger and get ready to rock.
Details: Sunday, May 5 at The Chequers in Sevenoaks from 8.30pm. Free entry.
Nags Head, Rochester
Medway-based singer David James Rumsey and his band will be rocking up to Rochester’s Nags Head for an acoustic set, playing a selection of stripped-back indie and folk tunes during the afternoon. It’s part of the town’s Sweeps Festival, a free folk festival that will see live music popping up all over town from Saturday to Monday.
Details: Sunday, May 5 at the Nags Head in Rochester from 2pm. Free entry.
The Duke of Marlborough, Maidstone
Ska, reggae and 2-Tone band The Skastards are regulars when it comes to pub gigs in Kent, having gained a decent following over the years. We’re expecting this to be another busy one as the group, from Sittingbourne, play music from Madness, The Specials, UB40 and more.
Details: Monday, May 6 at the Duke of Marlborough in Maidstone from 3pm. Free entry.