From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Lydia Catling, 17 July 2019.

Popular White Bear pub returning to Tunbridge Wells.

A pub favourite is set to return to the high street.

The Tunbridge Wells Bar and Grill, which recently closed down on the High Street, has been acquired by Young's pub group who have decided to return the business to its original name The White Bear.

A representative at Young's, the large pub and hotel company, said: "We are reinstating the venue as a local pub in the truest sense and so it is only fitting that we return to its original pub name.

The pub is due to relaunch as The White Bear in late August.

"Our understanding is that this pub was hugely popular in its original incarnation and we hope to welcome back all the locals."

The original White Bear closed in 1985 and has since been home to a burger restaurant and in recent years a bar and grill.

The group have big plans for the building, located close to the popular Pantiles, and are undertaking an extensive refurbishment.

There are currently no images of the renovation plans available but the pub group said they have opted for comfortable furnishings with a mix of contemporary and vintage design, featuring a light and airy conservatory, magnificent walled garden and retractable roof.

The pub will also welcome dogs and have a 'doggy bar' with treats for canine companions.

It is hoped the refurbishments will be completed and open for trading by the end of August.

A spokesperson at Young’s said: “We are incredibly excited to be opening our third pub in Kent and look forward to providing the residents of Tunbridge Wells with a welcoming local.”

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Jee, 16 September 2019.

The White Bear pub reopens in Tunbridge Wells.

An old local has been restored and reopened under its original name.

The White Bear ceased trading in 1985 and the building was then used for multiple restaurants, appearing most recently as the Tunbridge Wells Bar and Grill.

The White Bear has reopened in Tunbridge Wells.

After the bar and grill closed down, the building was acquired by Young's pub group, which announced its plans to return it to its original glory in July.

Two months after the announcement, the rejuvenated pub, which is very close to the Pantiles part of town, has officially opened its doors.

In a press release, Young's said: "Tunbridge Wells has its local back.

"The venue has been restored to its former glory by Young’s and has reopened as a quintessentially British yet modern pub under its original name.

"A bright and airy spacious entrance, high ceilings, green floral styling and ample comfy seating ensure guests feel right at home from the moment they step inside.

The restaurant boasts 'ample comfy seating'.

"With an expansive bar and several semi-private bookable tables, this pub is great for large parties in the light-filled open spaces or smaller get-togethers at the cosy corner tables."

The menu curated by head chef Ian Ellis includes Whitstable oysters, Brogdale Farm berries and Kentish Blue cheese.

The restaurant also caters for their diners' canine companions on weekend mornings, with dogs welcome between 10am and 11.45am.

Craft beers, cask ales, wines and spirits are also available.

This is in addition to the 'Orangery', which is advertised as "an all-weather botanical oasis complete with a retractable roof, theatrical garden grill kitchen and outdoor bar."

The 'orangery' features a rectractable roof and an outdoor bar.

There will be live music on the last Saturday of each month - starting on September 28.

There are also three TV screens, which will be showing all of the rugby world cup matches.

From the https://www.kentlive.news By Mary Harris, 7 March 2023.

The White Bear was so popular from the mid 1980s onwards, there would be queues down the High Street with door staff dealing with punters eager to get inside the door. This was in the era when queues also snaked down the High Street for popular nightclub Davinchi's.

It was then called "Rupert's" from 1988, setting a trend for popular pubs to station bouncers at the door. It then became "Bar zia" which closed in 2007, before opening as "Tunbridge Wells Bar and Grill." Pub and hotel company Young's bought the site in 2019 and took it back to its roots by renaming it the "White Bear," which is a popular venue today.