It’s not often you hear Peckham, Brixton and Ashford in the same breath.
Our unassuming Kent town earns its place in this trendy triumvirate thanks to its debt to architect Carl Turner, who, in each, has helped transform scruffy, ugly and neglected corners into cool community spaces where people can work, eat, drink and play.
And it is at one of these, a formerly ramshackle group of sheds and warehouses now known as Coachworks, that I find myself on a gloriously sunny weekday afternoon.
The bit I’m interested in is The Yard – a decked terrace scattered with picnic benches and encircled by a bar and shipping units selling street food against the backdrop of early noughties rock.
That’s only half the story, though, with the rest of the scheme given over to chipboard workspaces and a co-working “incubator”.
There’s murals – tick; craft beer – tick; a ping pong table – tick.
In fact, the only thing this hipster paradise is missing is beards. I scrutinised each punter, but drew a blank. Seriously, where’s the hair?!
Given the super-cool vibe, when the (again, disappointingly clean-shaven) barman began shaking up our drinks, I was fully expecting a basic cocktail in a plastic cup with a double-figure price tag.
But again, my pre-conceptions got the better of me – these were quality tipples in lovely glassware, and at the bargain price of £6 each.
It was happy hour, and happy was the word as I sipped my passionfruit martini in this perfect little suntrap, soaking up the buzz – and some wonderfully vintage indie rock.
My drinking partner had gone for a Long Island Iced Tea after being assured by the barman it wasn’t too strong – just three shots!
Even so, it didn’t provoke the usual grimace this particular cocktail usually gets from me, and I’m pleased to report it was actually a very refreshing, pleasant tipple, and not overly potent at all.
Still, not much can beat a passionfruit martini, and this one was pretty faultless.
Soaking up the rays in this convivial little complex, I was in heaven.
My colleague had described Coachworks as a hidden gem when she visited in the winter (when an indoor bar replaces the outdoor one), although head-scratchingly quiet.
While fast-forwarding to July, we did at least have company, it deserved to be heaving with people, given its offering.
Some of the food vendors looked especially lonely, though frankly I’d have visited them all if belly space allowed, given the smells of lobster burgers, chicken wings and gyros that were assaulting my nostrils on all fronts.
Shrugging off the hunger rumbles, though, next up from the bar was a crisp and herbaceous Hugo Spritz (elderflower and prosecco, but worry not, the Aperol version is also available) and the most generous measure of white wine I’ve seen in some time.
Like my glass, and possibly because of it, I was brimming with love for Coachworks.
You can probably see how the rest of this goes.
Despite just ‘popping in for a quick drink after work,’ it ended up being 9.30pm before we left.
While we turned up in sunglasses, we left in coats, having filled ourselves with Greek souvlaki, laughed our heads off in the weekly quiz, and fully explored the alcohol-free craft beers – which were also excellent – all as the glow of the sun was replaced with festoon lights.
Catch up with the Secret Drinker’s latest review here
Coachworks describes itself as a venue that puts people and places together, resulting in more than the sum of its parts.
I can confidently say that it absolutely nails that brief. Don’t be fooled by the ping pong tables, it didn’t feel faddy – it felt like somewhere you could go to actually connect with other people.
If you don’t catch the quiz (we visited on a Thursday) there are often bands and DJs playing, and you might even see some live comedy. That and the prices make it a stand-out venue in my book.
To my shame, I’ve never really spared Ashford much thought when it comes to anything beyond the designer outlet, frankly.
Now, it’s gone to the top of my list for a night out in Kent that feels like Camden, only much cheaper – and without the skinny jeans and moustache dress code.
Take a bow Carl Turner – Coachworks is an absolute triumph. I just hope it gets the love it deserves.
The Yard Bar, Coachworks, Dover Place, Ashford, TN23 1HU
Décor: No frills chipboard inside, and outside it’s industrial chic with shipping units, murals and fairy lights. But what more do you need? ***
Drinks: Surprisingly good cocktails, exceptional wine measures and possibly the best non-alcoholic beer I’ve tried. Only marked down for the lack of any innovative tipples, with the menu sticking firmly to the classics ****
Price: Happy hour is far from fleeting – it’s two for £12 cocktails from 4pm to 7pm on Thursdays and Fridays. Outside the offer, with cocktails usually between £8.60-9.10, you’ll still struggle to complain *****
Staff: Down to earth and as happy to help with quiz tech glitches as with the bar menu ****
Best for: Big groups and sunseekers
