Station pubs (part two?)

[AndrewE]

Guinness was £7.00 a pint on PS WAVERLEY at the weekend. I stay at a nice country house hotel in Devon which has three real ales. Just around £5.50 a pint - bargain by comparison.

But servicing Waverley is more like running a buffet on a train than a pub. Besides, everything they do is intended to make a "profit" to help keep her steaming. I can forgive that!

I went to the new bar in Chester station last month - twice... It is excellent, beautifully restored, good beers and not over-priced. Lots of craft ales too, besides the real ones.

 

[D6130]

Bringing the thread back on topic, I've always found the beer prices at Stalybridge station buffet to be very reasonable....even though they - presumably - have to pay a fairly hefty rent to Network Rail.

 

[DustyBin]

Someone talked dismissively of it in this thread last year but I visited The Draughtsman on Doncaster station a couple of weeks ago and it's rather good. I also liked Steamworks on Seaford Staion.

I think the Draughtsman is a great little pub. I try and call in whenever I can which isn’t that often in truth, but it’s good to show some support.

 

[D6130]

I think the Draughtsman is a great little pub. I try and call in whenever I can which isn’t that often in truth, but it’s good to show some support.

I agree.

 

[Llandudno]

Public service announcement:

If you find yourself at Blackfriars station and have a bit of a thirst on, don't amble into Doggett's on the South Bank.

£8.00 for a pint of Madri

 

[Grumpy Git]

Public service announcement:

If you find yourself at Blackfriars station and have a bit of a thirst on, don't amble into Doggett's on the South Bank.

£8.00 for a pint of Madri

Blimey.

That and the absoute swill that is Cruzcampo should be banned. Dreadful stuff.

 

[DustyBin]

Blimey.

That and the absoute swill that is Cruzcampo should be banned. Dreadful stuff.

I don’t actually mind Cruzcampo, at least it’s Spanish (albeit brewed in the UK). I’m with you regarding Madri though, and that awful Moretti!

 

[52290]

I don’t actually mind Cruzcampo, at least it’s Spanish (albeit brewed in the UK). I’m with you regarding Madri though, and that awful Moretti!

If it's brewed in the UK it's not Spanish.

 

[Harpo]

True but a lot of pubs that only serve a token one or two real ales don't tend to keep it very well. That's why these days, unless it's a pub renowned for its real ale I'll tend to go for craft.

‘Craft’ is the 21st century’s ‘keg’. It gives brewers and landlords the opportunity to avoid the skill, time and effort (i.e. expense) needed by real ale.

Carbonated Refrigerated Ale From Tins.

 

[DustyBin]

If it's brewed in the UK it's not Spanish.

The brand is though and it's widely available in Spain. The point I was making is Madri has no connection to Spain whatsoever!

 

[Bradford PA]

‘Craft’ is the 21st century’s ‘keg’. It gives brewers and landlords the opportunity to avoid the skill, time and effort (i.e. expense) needed by real ale.

Carbonated Refrigerated Ale From Tins.

And, although it takes less effort to look after, keeps for longer and therefore has less wastage, why is it so much more expensive than beer from the pump ?

 

[yorksrob]

Calling it the new "keg" is probably a bit unfair. Craft ale does tend to taste of something, albeit in an overly gassy, over priced sort of way.

 

[D1537]

It was mentioned a while back, but I can definitely recommend the Waiting Room at Durham. Excellent pint of Wylam Brewery Gold at £4.80, and plenty of seating outside to watch the trains go past. Very useful alternative if I can't be bothered to walk to the Holy Grale (or it's one of the days it isn't open!).

 

[CaptainHaddock]

It was mentioned a while back, but I can definitely recommend the Waiting Room at Durham. Excellent pint of Wylam Brewery Gold at £4.80, and plenty of seating outside to watch the trains go past. Very useful alternative if I can't be bothered to walk to the Holy Grale (or it's one of the days it isn't open!).

The Waiting Room's okay but, if you've got time to kill at Durham before your train, The Station House at the foot of Station Approach is way better!

 

[Harpo]

And, although it takes less effort to look after, keeps for longer and therefore has less wastage, why is it so much more expensive than beer from the pump ?

Clever marketing that leads folk to believe that ‘craft’ is a premium artisinal product.

 

[xotGD]

Clever marketing that leads folk to believe that ‘craft’ is a premium artisinal product.

One set of mugs think Madri is Spanish.

Another set of mugs think Craft equates to quality.

 

[TheSel]

Clever marketing that leads folk to believe that ‘craft’ is a premium artisinal product.

Delete letters 2-6 from the word 'artisinal' and you're getting close!

 

[trebor79]

The Waiting Room's okay but, if you've got time to kill at Durham before your train, The Station House at the foot of Station Approach is way better!

Or not far away the Colpits Inn.

 

[D6130]

Or not far away the Colpits Inn.

The Colpitts is a Sam Smith's house....so don't dare to get your mobile out, or you'll be thrown out, the manager will be sacked and the pub closed and boarded-up. If I had the time, I could start a whole new thread about Mr Humphrey Smith and his shenanigans!

 

[DustyBin]

Clever marketing that leads folk to believe that ‘craft’ is a premium artisinal product.

Yes, it’s all marketing, likewise the sudden popularity of Madri etc. There were perfectly acceptable (and in some cases quite nice!) premium lagers before Madri, Moretti etc. came along, most of which are now harder to find.

 

[NorthOxonian]

The Colpitts is a Sam Smith's house....so don't dare to get your mobile out, or you'll be thrown out, the manager will be sacked and the pub closed and boarded-up. If I had the time, I could start a whole new thread about Mr Humphrey Smith and his shenanigans!

If it's any consolation, the manager (an acquaintance who I've drank with a couple of times) isn't much happy about it either off the record!

I think the Draughtsman is a great little pub. I try and call in whenever I can which isn’t that often in truth, but it’s good to show some support.

The only issue I have with it, and why I've never made it there yet, is the slightly awkward opening times - but that probably reflects the fact Donny can be a bit lairy of an evening! I'm rarely there early enough to catch it open sadly, but do hope to do so at some point - the beer list and prices seem very good.

 

[yorksrob]

The Colpitts is a Sam Smith's house....so don't dare to get your mobile out, or you'll be thrown out, the manager will be sacked and the pub closed and boarded-up. If I had the time, I could start a whole new thread about Mr Humphrey Smith and his shenanigans!

No naughty language either !

 

[DustyBin]

The only issue I have with it, and why I've never made it there yet, is the slightly awkward opening times - but that probably reflects the fact Donny can be a bit lairy of an evening! I'm rarely there early enough to catch it open sadly, but do hope to do so at some point - the beer list and prices seem very good.

Yes that’s a fair point; I’ve missed it a few times on an evening.

 

[Pinus contorta]

‘Craft’ is the 21st century’s ‘keg’. It gives brewers and landlords the opportunity to avoid the skill, time and effort (i.e. expense) needed by real ale.

Carbonated Refrigerated Ale From Tins.

And if you add in the autovac, jobs a guddun , from a financial perspective.

 

[KT550]

A new Wetherspoons opened this week (Tuesday 8 July), in the old ticket office building adjacent to modern day Fulham Broadway LU station.

Named "Walham Green", after the original name for Fulham Broadway station, the bar counter is fashioned to represent the ticket office windows.
There is a separate area away from the bar for fulfilling app ordered drinks, which I haven't seen before, which seems a good idea for a very busy pub.

I thought it was a nice conversion.

 

[leightonbd]

Mind if I bring this thread backup? I’ve got a longish wait at Stafford in a week or two’s time. I believe there’s nothing beyond coffee, etc, on the station, which is a shame, but does anyone know a decent pub/ wine bar nearby? Or am I mistaken and does the catering include some form of bar. I normally don’t get behind the excellent Gourmet coffee unit for coffee and sausage rolls.

 

[AndrewE]

The Wetherspoons in an ex-cinema the other side of the park outside the station is one of their best, I reckon. I couldn't believe it is about a decade since it was last done up...

 

[TheSel]

Mind if I bring this thread backup? I’ve got a longish wait at Stafford in a week or two’s time. I believe there’s nothing beyond coffee, etc, on the station, which is a shame, but does anyone know a decent pub/ wine bar nearby? Or am I mistaken and does the catering include some form of bar. I normally don’t get behind the excellent Gourmet coffee unit for coffee and sausage rolls.

'Bird in Hand' - Victoria Square.

Following text from the CaMRA website:

"A welcoming and comfortable pub in Stafford town centre, refurbished in 2017. The pub has a traditional feel to it with three rooms and open fires. It has a function room for private hire and it also hosts live music on Sunday evenings. It boasts the biggest beer garden in Stafford town centre. The pub offers home cooked food to complement the ales it serves, including a carvery on Sundays (served from 12 to 5). Part of the 'Birds' history is as a Joules of Stone pub and the trademark cross can still be seen on the outside door frames. It is the nearest pub to Stafford railway station. Level access to the pub, bar & lounge, slight drop to snug. Ramp to toilet and if required a movable ramp for entrance to function room. The beer lineup is different in the two bars."

 

[KT550]

Mind if I bring this thread backup? I’ve got a longish wait at Stafford in a week or two’s time. I believe there’s nothing beyond coffee, etc, on the station, which is a shame, but does anyone know a decent pub/ wine bar nearby? Or am I mistaken and does the catering include some form of bar. I normally don’t get behind the excellent Gourmet coffee unit for coffee and sausage rolls.

The Railway Inn in Castle Street, is also nearby (6 mins walk), though doesn't open until mid afternoon most days.

Railway Inn, Stafford

A traditional end of terrace Victorian pub which opened on the 13 April 1848. It has changed very little over the years, and is at the heart of the community. Plans in 1998 to convert the pub into one large bar were thankfully abandoned. There is a small snug to...

camra.org.uk

 

[duffield]

Mind if I bring this thread backup? I’ve got a longish wait at Stafford in a week or two’s time. I believe there’s nothing beyond coffee, etc, on the station, which is a shame, but does anyone know a decent pub/ wine bar nearby? Or am I mistaken and does the catering include some form of bar. I normally don’t get behind the excellent Gourmet coffee unit for coffee and sausage rolls.

There aren't any "station pubs" at Stafford, but just 300m away (basically out of the station front and straight ahead) is a proper "Real Ale" pub, The Bird in Hand - if that's the sort of thing you're looking for. If so, here's a link to their (supposedly) up to date beer board:

Bird In Hand Stafford

Real time beer information for Bird In Hand Stafford provided by realalefinder.com

www.realalefinder.com

Edit: I see someone else has mentioned it while I was posting.