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From the
https://theisleofthanetnews.com By Kathy Bailes, September 2026.
Revamp of premises creates ‘pub’ venue Blackbird in Ramsgate.
Tom Ranger and Stuart Langley have opened Blackbird.
“It’s more like a pub than a cafe bar”, say Stuart Langley and Tom
Ranger, friends and partners in new Ramsgate drinking establishment
Blackbird, which opened its doors in late August.
They add: “We wanted a comfortable room, for straightforward, quality
drinking, with great prices. We are really happy with the result – it’s
a place we think everyone can come and enjoy.”
Offering six draught beer taps and an ambition to serve the “tastiest
and coldest beer in town”, Blackbird has draught Guinness, Peroni and
Cornish Cider, alongside the venue’s own IPA and house lager – “brewed
for us by some of the UK’s best known brewers”, says Stuart - plus a
changing guest beer from the likes of Margate’s NorthDown Brewery, award
winning Cheltenham brewer Deya, and Bristol favourites Lost & Grounded.
“Wine is as important as beer” says Tom, adding that whites and rosés
need to be “cold, tasty, and fun to drink”; reds are carefully chosen
and “great with a sausage roll and a bag of crisps”. “We have plenty of
nice things for people to spend good money on, but we want everyone to
know that you can come into Blackbird and drink something great, and
only spend a fiver”, Tom adds.
Blackbird is on the site of the former Seabird, which Stuart moved to
Margate earlier this year. He said: “Seabird Ramsgate was a great
success but moving it to Margate has been huge for the team and for the
business. We’ve had a terrific summer there. And the move gave me a new
opportunity to create something new for Ramsgate.”
Blackbird also has extended opening hours, with a licence to serve
drinks until 10pm all week, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Tom said: “Blackbird is a place to drink and enjoy yourself. The later
hours are essential for that.”
Blackbird has been transformed with “design touches that reference all
the best pubs” says Stuart, adding that walls are now clad with warm,
teak, tongue and groove panelling, the ceiling is papered with textured
Anaglypta, paintwork and upholstery are in cosy, comfortable, elegant
hues, restaurant and bar seating have been replaced with private booths
for family and friends to come together.
There are smaller drinking tables and high bar stools, with the option
to curtain off areas for private events and to keep the place as warm
and comfortable as possible. “The bar, toilet and front door are the
only things in the same place – and we tried to move all of those too”
adds Tom.
Open now, Stuart and Tom are keen to stress that Blackbird is still a
work in progress. Currently serving a wide range of classic pub crisps
and snacks, a food menu of what Tom calls ‘pub tapas’ is on the way.
He added: “There’s more work to do on the garden, loads more boardgames
to get, the sound system needs tweaking, loads of little design touches
still to come – but right now – we just want everyone to come down, grab
a seat and enjoy a drink”.
Alongside the drinks will be a regular programme of DJs, quizzes, guest
talks and events put together by Tom. |
