THE SHARING TABLES IN RYE’S WATERWORKS

October 2026. Rye.

A stormy weekend scuppered my plans for the train to Hayward’s Heath, perhaps the UK’s dullest town.

But with a short interlude between gales (caravan still standing) we took the bus into Rye for a pint and managed to nip in its most regular GBG pub just before noon opening.

I’m surprised “regular” isn’t a beer name at the Waterworks, whose beers are all toilet themed.

U-Rye-nal, Pissoir Porter and the flagship “I Pee Alot”, which is evidence if needed that home brew beers can be sublime.

That IPA has been EXCELLENT on two recent visits, the sort of pint that makes you turn to Mrs RM and say “This, this, is the epitome of the brewer’s craft“. And she’ll say “Can I have another one then ?“.

Great bar snacks, too, and the only issue I have with the Waterworks is that it’s too busy. Turn up at 10 past instead of 10 to and you’re scambling.

The Guvnor bangs a gong (probably for sale, like everything else in the pub), and tells us how things work (PRESS : PLAY).

Well, it’s not exactlyt Brunning & Price, is it ? I move up onto the cushions to free up space for a couple of young New Zealanders to join us, and we have a heartwarming chat about kumara chips and pub culture and the risk that the table we’re sitting at might be sold quicker than those tea towels.

And, suddenly, the Waterworks feels like the pub that ought to win national awards.

A bit like the next one, in fact.

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

11 thoughts on “THE SHARING TABLES IN RYE’S WATERWORKS”

    1. Southern prices, maybe, but at least the cobs are decent and basic, and served without unnecessary and unwanted accompaniments, such as, crisps, lettuce (rabbit food) or any other garnishes that provide an excuse for many pubs to bump the prices up.

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      1. £10 for a tea towel is Southern prices.
        Lettuce should only be eaten by rabbits in moderation. I though regularly buy a lettuce from the greengrocers in town and finish it within a week – part of a healthy diet that also includes proper beer.

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      3. Paul, but I wasn’t meaning to disagree with you. All too often when ordering pub food I’m having to say “No this, no that and no the other please” – cheese or coleslaw rather than crisps or lettuce though.

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  4. A pub called the Waterworks immediately reminded me of BRAPA, but on checking, I find he didn’t like it. Maybe caught it on a bad day.
    £4.00 for a cob is on the high side but not entirely out of order for a decent one.
    Like the gong. Rather than the band of the same name, it reminds me of T Rex, “get it on, bang a gong, get it on”. No, I don’t know what the Boppin’ Elf was on about either.

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