Station pubs

[Krispo]

Where at? :???:

Sorry, I just meant in general at station pubs, in comparison to your average local pub.

 

[metrocammel]

Sorry, I just meant in general at station pubs, in comparison to your average local pub.

'Plastic Station Pubs' are overpriced. Basically, most pubs on 'larger stations' are owned by 'SSP' (the company who does 'Bite Cards', and trace their roots back to British Rail's 'Traveller's Fare') They are usually pubs with such names as ' (Insert Station Name) Hero' or sometimes, such as KGX, 'The York Arms'. There are other brand names, such as 'Bonapartes', and at Manchester Picc 'The Balcony Bar'. They serve ridiculously expensive beer if bought without a Bite Card, if it is bought with a Bite, it's still chingy, but slightly more reasonable. They do, however, lack any sort of character whatsoever- and are very poor if you want a real ale. The only two I can think of that serve any 'hand pumped' ale are the one's at York and Leeds.

There's then the 'traditional' station pubs, most of which are independently owned. An example of these are Stalybridge Buffet Bar, The King's Head Hudds, Head of Steam, Hudds and Liverpool and many others. I know for a fact, you would be hard pressed to find a cheaper, tasty meal as you could find in the Staly Buffet Bar. I can't remember the exact price, but for a hearty portion of Sausage & Mash, with a pint of real ale to wash it down came in for about a fiver!

You then have a few stations with 'Wetherspoons' attached, these are also good for cheap beer, however the station one's lack atmosphere IMO, with possibly the exception of the one at Liverpool Street, which is very attractive inside. The Leeds and London Vic one's strike me as very boring.

 

[northernbored]

Bridlington has one of only three station buffets left in the UK.
Half of this buffet is a lovely tradiotnal station pub, with lots of railway memrobilla a lovely place to wait for your train

 

[metrocammel]

Bridlington has one of only three station buffets left in the UK.
Half of this buffet is a lovely tradiotnal station pub, with lots of railway memrobilla a lovely place to wait for your train

Not sure it's one of only 3. I can think of 4 without actually thinking! Stalybridge, Brid, Manningtree & Carnforth spring to mind. I'm almost positive there's others, then there are definitely others on pres railways.

 

[Waverley125]

one on the platform at KGX is 'the Duke of York'-it's the sister pub to 'The White Rose' at leeds. Does fullers on hand pump IIRC, bloody busy but a good place for a pre-train pint.

 

[jon0844]

The pub at King's Cross closed about six months ago, while they rebuild the station. In fact, all the shops along platform 8 are shut except M&S and that's closing soon I think.

WH Smith is half the size, and there's a Cafe Nero. Everything else I think will be gone soon for a good year or so I think.

You can see some of the early results of the restoration though, by the exit nearest platform 1.

 

[jopsuk]

The pub at King's Cross closed about six months ago, while they rebuild the station. In fact, all the shops along platform 8 are shut except M&S and that's closing soon I think.

WH Smith is half the size, and there's a Cafe Nero. Everything else I think will be gone soon for a good year or so I think.

You can see some of the early results of the restoration though, by the exit nearest platform 1.

It's all part of the remoddeling- essentially, the concete box where WHSMith, the travel centre, the (now closed) underground entrance etc is being flattened. Completely. Taken back to the old frontage.

The new concourse is being built along the west side. So the shops etc need to go, as that'll be where the access to from the concourse to the trainshed will be. But that's a topic for another thread, surely?

 

[jon0844]

Yes, I know mostly what will happen - but it really is going to be a mess with only a few trollies out selling snacks and drinks.

Now, any regular there will know there are plenty of shops nearby (and pubs) but few people venture outside of the station. In fact, this was quickly proven when Eurostar began from St Pancras. I'm sure local shops thought King's Cross would be the place to be - and then found, no, it wasn't.

Anyway, this is about pubs. The nearest SSP run pub to King's Cross is now presumably the one at Euston.

 

[gordonthemoron]

However, the nearest nice (and station) pub is the Sir John Betjeman in St Pancras

 

[jon0844]

However, the nearest nice (and station) pub is the Sir John Betjeman in St Pancras

Absolutely, with nice food too. They are quite expensive for food though, but sitting outside watching Eurostar coming and going is pretty relaxing - although sometimes you wish you were on the train!

The pub seems to be a bit of a hidden gem, so maybe you don't want to tell too many people.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Absolutely, with nice food too. They are quite expensive for food though, but sitting outside watching Eurostar coming and going is pretty relaxing - although sometimes you wish you were on the train!

The pub seems to be a bit of a hidden gem, so maybe you don't want to tell too many people.

The only reason I know where it is, is because I frequented it pre-Eurostar when it was called the Wyvern or something

 

[A60K]

The Shires was its name immediately prior to closure - and they opened a portacabin replacement in the temporary east side station!

 

[gordonthemoron]

Went to Inglostadt (in Germany) yesterday. There are two pubs on platform 1 (what's left of it at any rate). Went in the ropier of the two, €2,30 for half a litre wessbier, bargain

 

[northernbored]

They now proudly state "One of two original station buffets in the UK"
Advert within the coastline magazine at http://www.yorkshirecoastline.co.uk/coastlines.html