Stations with GOOD real ale bars?

[Bullfield WEst]

The Victory (I think it is) on Waterloo does a nice ale.

Oh so good, I have 3 nights in Chelmsford from August 31st.

 

[yorksrob]

Oh so good, I have 3 nights in Chelmsford from August 31st.

They have some tables on the mezzanine, so you can see the trains come in and out (needless to say its a favourite when I'm on my way to the West Country).

 

[Gwr12345]

Spooner's bar is in the Harbour station (F&WHR). Unless its changed, the brewery pub is The Australia on the High Street (named after a sailing ship, not directly after the country).

Spooner's does also serve Purple Moose though

 

[NorthOxonian]

If you accept T&W Metro?

Platform 2 at Tynemouth has a good selection of real ales and is within the station building itself, and I've heard good things about the "Left Luggage Room" at Monkseaton a few stops further round the coast.

There is also a good one on the station at Whitley Bay between the two, though often gets busy as it hosts live music and the likes; during favourable weather spells they also have outdoor seating which tends to do a roaring trade. You can have quite a pleasant pub crawl without having to leave a Metro station!

 

[JB_B]

...
The latter, by the way, also has the newly reopened Trevor Arms next to it

That is good news - it must have just happened. Hope there's enough demand to sustain two pubs.

 

[Jan Mayen]

That is good news - it must have just happened. Hope there's enough demand to sustain two pubs.

Last month, I believe. I only found out about it on Monday.

 

[satisnek]

One of the downsides of life in the 2020s is that you can no longer turn up at a pub at any time between 11am and 11pm and expect it to be open. Opening times are all over the place these days and changed on a whim, so it's a good idea to check in advance (but not too far in advance!).

Of course, in the case of Wetherspoon pubs you don't have to worry. They're run by professionals.

 

[Mogz]

Was just about to recommend Stalybridge but then saw it was already on your list.

I remember getting stuck there in the snow once (around 2008/2009 I think) and the wonderful
station buffet/bar was open. It made the wait very pleasant!
☺️

 

[DH1Commuter]

Another T&W Metro pair: Felling station, Wheatsheaf and Old Fox are both superb.

 

[Harpo]

Spooner's bar is in the Harbour station (F&WHR). Unless its changed, the brewery pub is The Australia on the High Street (named after a sailing ship, not directly after the country).

There’s a quirky real ale bar on Porthmadog main line station. The Australia is 5-10 mins walk away and
Spooners in the Harbour Station is another 5-10 minutes beyond that.

 

[DelW]

Indeed, Wetherspoons are always welcome as there are so many within and just outside stations from Pwhelli to Liverpool Street, and many between. They have done a very good job on the recently opened one at Fulham Broadway.

In London, there are 'spoons on Victoria, Waterloo, Cannon Street, Liverpool Street and Baker Street stations, with London Bridge coming soon. (Edit: and St Pancras, I've been reminded).

 

[Jimini]

In London, there are "spoons on Victoria, Waterloo, Cannon Street, Liverpool Street and Baker Street stations, with London Bridge coming soon.

FYI the London Bridge one has had its opening date pushed back again, to the end of September (according to the local rag).

Looking forward to exploring that one as it’s the old London Dungeon building!

 

[YorkshireBear]

Knaresborough track and sleeper is an excellent establishment.

Old parcel office on Keighley station, run by KWVR, is open at weekends into evening serving real ale, Timmy Taylor's usually, check website for opening times.

 

[izvor]

Bessemer Arms within Sheffield Park station (Bluebell Railway)
Old Dairy Brewery Tap adjacent to Tenterden Town station (K&ESR). Brewery now closed but bar still open!
Manningtree station bar
Downham Market - looks like station bar is still closed sadly

 

[ls2270]

In London, there are "spoons on Victoria, Waterloo, Cannon Street, Liverpool Street and Baker Street stations, with London Bridge coming soon.

You can add St Pancras to that list!

 

[DelW]

You can add St Pancras to that list!

Not sure how I managed to forget that one, I've been in there a few times though not recently!

 

[NorthWestRover]

Tap room on the concourse at Manchester Victoria.

If you'll accept pubs which are very near stations, the list expands quite a lot. I always really liked the Fishery at Hemel Hempstead and the Paper Mill at Apsley. There's about a billion good pubs within 100yards of Newcastle.

Whilst the Victoria Tap is on the station, if we accept your second paragraph, then the Oxford Road Tap on the slope outside the station is worth a visit. Definitely within the environs of the station.

 

[Jan Mayen]

You can add St Pancras to that list!

May I ask where, please? I wasn't aware it existed!

 

[yorksrob]

The Wigan Central's good. You can't access it directly from the station but its directly under NW station. The one over the road's pretty decent as well.

On a similar theme, the Osset pub underneath platform 17 at Leeds does good beer as well.

 

[ls2270]

May I ask where, please? I wasn't aware it existed!

It’s near the foot of the escalators leading up to the Southeastern platforms.

 

[Jan Mayen]

It’s near the foot of the escalators leading up to the Southeastern platforms.

Many thanks. Not part of the station i tend to use.

 

[ls2270]

Many thanks. Not part of the station i tend to use.

It also has a long area of outside seating adjacent, which unfortunately is in the shade most if the time!

 

[Whisky Papa]

Hi, I'm off for a 14-day all line rover trip next month, and I would like to visit some good real ale bars at stations along my journey. I know of quite a few, including York, Doncaster, Grantham, Lancaster, Sowerby Bridge, the two at Huddersfield, Dewsbury, and Stalybridge. Just remembered... Bridlington and Cleethorpes (x2)

Most of the above I have already visited, but I'm looking for new ones to me. If anyone has any recommendations, I would be grateful.
Thank you, Ken Ward, Bolton.

I can't see that anybody else has corrected this (apologies if so) but the Jubilee at Sowerby Bridge did not reopen as a pub after COVID. A few good pubs in the town, of course.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

It’s near the foot of the escalators leading up to the Southeastern platforms.

The Barrel Vault - J D Wetherspoon

www.jdwetherspoon.com

 

[NorthOxonian]

The Wigan Central's good. You can't access it directly from the station but its directly under NW station. The one over the road's pretty decent as well.

On a similar theme, the Osset pub underneath platform 17 at Leeds does good beer as well.

Definitely agree on Wigan - I think the one over the road is the Swan and Railway? From what I can remember (admittedly slightly hazy) the interior was absolutely stunning, and the beer pretty decent too.

 

[Bald Rick]

The Victory (I think it is) on Waterloo does a nice ale.

Not many though.

If you want a wide selection of decent ale near Waterloo, the Waterloo Tap is just across York Road, in an Arch under the Charing Cross lines; superb range (20+ different beers).

Also the Hole in the Wall, right outside the Victory Arch, next to KFC.

May I ask where, please? I wasn't aware it existed!

Head to the Southeastern platform escalators, and look for sticky carpets.

 

[yorksrob]

Definitely agree on Wigan - I think the one over the road is the Swan and Railway? From what I can remember (admittedly slightly hazy) the interior was absolutely stunning, and the beer pretty decent too.

Yes, I stayed there the night once as well - excellent room.

Not many though.

If you want a wide selection of decent ale near Waterloo, the Waterloo Tap is just across York Road, in an Arch under the Charing Cross lines; superb range (20+ different beers).

Also the Hole in the Wall, right outside the Victory Arch, next to KFC.





Head to the Southeastern platform escalators, and look for sticky carpets.

I do like the Waterloo Tap as well - have been there many a time.

In terms of the Victory - I'm very happy with a pub with one or two ales knowing they can sell it, than too many going stale. They always have a nice light session ale as well (as opposed to having a stout and something six percent, which some fall into).

That said, the view over the concourse and platforms is the best thing. If I close my eyes I can imagine a couple of CIG's and VEP's in there as well.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Whilst the Victoria Tap is on the station, if we accept your second paragraph, then the Oxford Road Tap on the slope outside the station is worth a visit. Definitely within the environs of the station.

Not got to try it yet, as I normally go down the steps to the Salisbury. Shall have to add it to the list!

 

[DelW]

In terms of the Victory - I'm very happy with a pub with one or two ales knowing they can sell it, than too many going stale. They always have a nice light session ale as well (as opposed to having a stout and something six percent, which some fall into).

That said, the view over the concourse and platforms is the best thing. If I close my eyes I can imagine a couple of CIG's and VEP's in there as well.

Dive heavily into those 6% beers, and you may see some EPBs, SUBs and CORs too

 

[0161]

Sadly the Prince of Wales at Foxfield has been temporarily closed for refurbishment for the last few years.
Up the coast, the Ratty Arms at Ravenglass isn’t a bad shout.