From Pump House to Soup Kitchen to Toilets to Award Winning Micropub Plus newly opened Rye Waterworks Microbrewery

 

The Rye Waterworks is the first Micropub to open in South East Sussex. It is situated in a building steeped with history originally a water pump house for 300 years then a soup kitchen dating from the 1890s that's now been opened up as a feature within the micropub. A family business serving eight local ales, two keg beers and twelve local ciders along with a selection of wines, gins & soft drinks. We're listed with CAMRA (campaign for real ale) and welcome families, dogs & people just wanting to have a nose around.

 

Entrance to our newly opened brewery & taproom on Rye Road TN31 7UL

More than just a Pub

 

At last, after two years of planning permissions, historical surveys, building regulation, Grade-II listed building permissions and the most extraordinary three-week transformation, the Waterworks micropub opened its door on Friday, May 4 2018.

Serving eight local ales and twelve local ciders, nothing comes further than 28 miles. CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) popped in to see what was going on, and sip their way through the list.

Situated in Tower Street, the old building was originally used as the Town Pump House, the pumping power probably being generated by a wooden wheel with two horses driving it. It is understood that there are some pieces of the wheel rescued by the Rye museum and in their collection.

In the work on the building, the bases for the two large coppers, each holding 70 gallons of soup, were fully uncovered and can be seen in the bar. These were part of John Symonds Vidler’s soup kitchen opened in 1907, at a time of low employment and hard times. There is a fascinating article on the Rye Museum website.

The large fireplace with the connecting flue to the coppers was also found, the fireplace itself now housing a new wood burning stove.

Come on in have a look around & enjoy a drink.

 
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Beer Fridge

Ales served at the perfect TEMPERATURE

In order to keep our eight ales in perfect condition we designed and built a purpose chiller that keeps the beers at 12 degrees. This is a major wow factor to people who expect to see the tradition beer taps laid out on the bar as the beer is served straight from the cask.

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More Than Just Beer

A good choice for everyone

Along with the eight local ales of the day, a local craft lager and twelve local ciders we also offer a choice of local gins, local vodka, red, white, rose and Prosecco sparkling wines. Not forgetting the drivers and non drinkers we offer a selection of Local juices, non alcohol beers and a selection of regular soft drinks.

 
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Simple But Good Food

Local and home cooked

Keeping it simple is the name of the game. We pride ourselves on our limited menu of local Scotch Eggs & Pork Pies all served with Homemade Chutney & English Mustard. We appreciate you may have found us on Tripadvisor on where to eat in Rye & expect a bigger menu but its our customers who have kindly reviewed the quality of the food that has helped to make these snacks so famous.

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Seating

The rules

Tables of 6 people from 6 different household can sit together so if we have a spare seat, sit on it and say hello to the people around you. It’s that simple we’re a small pub hence the name Micropub and encourage everyone to chat. If your sitting inside or out and there’s a spare seat why not invite someone to join you? you might even make some new friends.

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A man walks into a bar, likes it so much composes a song The Cooper’s Work, we then record it! Thanks Phil, this is a truly beautiful song that encompasses everything we strive to achieve in our historic little Micropub, enjoy.

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Rye Waterworks Micropub building the pub part 1
Rye Waterworks Micropub Building the pub stage 2

Rye Waterworks Micropub Opening Hours:

Monday to Thursday 2pm - 10pm

Friday 2pm - 11pm

Saturday 12 - 11pm

Sunday 12 - 10pm

 

Tower Street, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7AT

Telephone 01797 224110