Rye Jazz Festival 2018
After hearing how good the Rye Jazz Festival was last year from some of my family who attended, I simply had to check it out! With an assortment of live musicians dotted around the quaint cobbled streets of this vibrant Kentish town, the sun was out and i’d developed a thirst.
After browsing a number of Rye’s antique shops, while walking up The Mint, I noticed that the former public toilets (which had previously housed a second hand furniture store) had now become Rye’s first micropub, aptly named the Waterworks. Without a second thought, I crossed the road, popped in, and perused the menu.
They have done a fantastic job here, and although they had only been open sixteen weeks, the pub was packed, vibrant and beautifully kitted out throughout this listed, former public convenience.
After settling down outside the Waterworks, the burgers smelt great, but with plenty to see and the jazz festival starting, I proceeded to finish my pint of FILO Gold and a Chaple Down Bacchus Gin (with fine lemon zest garnish) and headed up the road to catch some music.
I saw some great solo artists, duets and bands on my stroll around the cobbled streets that day, so took a few videos to share with those who couldn’t make it. You can view some of the videos I took here, or subscribe to The Food And Drink Youtube channel and view them all.
As I walked towards the top of The Mint, I veered right to climb up to the church where I discovered a fantastic Cuban band. If there’s one video to watch, this would be it! Great energy from the band (and crowd), supercharged with awesome food and drink stalls dotted along the alley.
Next I was off to my favourite pub in Rye, The Ypres Castle Inn. This pub has always been the apple of my eye when i’m in Rye and visit it often. With local producers at the bar (and on the taps), this pub puts producers at the forefront of what they do since the new manager took the helm earlier this year.
Popular with locals and tourists alike, their beautiful garden sits under the Castle which overlooks the marsh and rivers. You can read the full review on The Ypres Castle Inn here.
After perusing the programme for the jazz festival, there was a duet I had wanted to see, so decided to head down to the Champagne Bar on Conduit Hill to check it out, where I was introduced to charming people… and delicious Champagnes!
The Grapevine is a gorgeously elegant Champagne bar, oozing rustic charm and sophistication. A perfect setting for the double act to follow.
The Standard Inn, Jug and Bottle Bar was good to pop into too. A traditional pub with quality local produce across their food and drink menus. After bumping into my uncle at the bar, I went over to join my aunty and friends for a catch up. A gorgeous country pub in the heart of town. Always worth a visit if your in Rye and walking up The Mint!
Feeling a little peckish seeing my folks tucking into a baked camembert, I decided to go and grab some food. With so many options to choose from, deciding what I fancied to eat was the next hurdle, although that didn’t take long!
After walking a few steps up the road, past the fish and chip shop (which had also been recommended by family who used to live in Rye), I discovered Hoof burger restaurant. With the restaurant full, both upstairs and downstairs, (following great feedback from both family and locals), I simply had to visit… and didn’t let the 45 minute wait prevent me from doing so!
Hoof is a burger restaurant burger run by local farmer Oliver Furnival, it offers beef and potatoes from his own farm just four miles away and boy, did his food pack a punch! Wow! From farm to plate, this restaurant is truely exception and is up there with the very best. You can read all about my time at Hoof here.
If you haven’t already been to the Rye Jazz Festival, pop the date in the diary for next years gathering. We will be publishing a full lineup of acts as soon as they’re released, so keep an eye on the blog or the Rye Jazz Festival website for more information. Accommodation in Rye during this event gets full quickly, so if you intend on staying here during the festival then please book in advance to avoid disappointment.
For more information, please head over to the Rye Jazz Festival website.
