please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Visited at a sensible time (4.15 on a Thursday), ticks all the boxes - good beer and surroundings, service pretty good. Mainly local ales but I stuck with TT Boltmaker which was fine.
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No reviews since my last visit in 2015. This time unlucky on the beers. Nothing dark and no real cider so a pint of something not to my taste.Never mind still a delightful place.
Did not order black peas this time as had just consumed an excellent hot black pudding muffin from the local Tripe Shop.
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Visited on a Saturday mid September,first opportunity for 3 years.Really nice to run one's hands along the marble bar top once again.Oh yes ans a nice pint of porter from Stockport Brewery.Always a pleasure and I was lucky not too busy.
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As a regular there I get to see quite a lot of how the Buffet Bar runs,it has it's bad days and good days. Unfortunately the bad days seem to be increasing. Take last Sunday afternoon, went for pint or two and chat with friends only to be confronted by a large group of football fans chanting at the bar. The two young lads on the bar were powerless to do anything about it. Needless to say this drove some of the locals out. The so called Land Lord is never seen there,operating the pub by remote from Dewsbury. His latest gimmick is to scrap the 10% Camra discount replacing it with a 20p discount on a round not just a pint (not making enough from the Ale Trail).Not sure how he managed to procure the pub,as it was never advertised, although many parties were interested no info could be found. Do the locals a favour and give back to the rail company so someone can run it who can do it justice.
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Unlike most people we did not visit here whilst waiting for a train or as part of an ale trail. We started here on a visit to several pubs in Stalybridge and this was the most memorable experience. Very packed on a Saturday afternoon, sat outside to enjoy a pint of Lancashire Mild before moving on...A must visit pub if in the area.
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"black peas, 90p a bowl and a perfect accompaniment to the wide range of real ales"
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Sound lovely, arihall, as long as you're not sharing a room that night I suppose.
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Thursday afternoon so not the crowds previous reviewers have noted but excellent ales, ciders and good service. Lots of interesting wall displays add to the character. Always worth a visit if you're passing through! Can't fault it at this minute...'
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Visited the "new" Buffet Bar recently. Nothing has changed, except the range of Oustanding Brewery's stout, pils and wheat beers on draught, replacing the major brands.
Having had bad experiences in the pub before, hopefully the new owners can get to grips with the heaving masses that come in on weekends and occasionally make getting served impossible.
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Now reopened after the 'Stalybridge Blockade' - and it has had a tasteful makeover. No dramatic changes and has kept its character. Friendly welcome and a superbly-kept pint (well several!) of Millstone Stout on Thursday evening. As good as ever - and a 'must visit'. 10/10.
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Well worth missing a train for. This place has been a legend for decades, and deservedly so. Bags of atmosphere, a great range of great beer, victorian charm and much railwayana, and the (very cheap) food is recommended. I regularly go miles out of the way just to drop in.
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Revisited recently, midweek. Quiet enough to have a bit of a chat with the bar staff and be able to sit in the main bar area. If you go try their speciality - black peas, 90p a bowl and a perfect accompaniment to the wide range of real ales.
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Excellent establishment, well run and with an ever changing array of beers to cater for every taste. Great friendly staff too. Its a shame that the "Ale Trail" has got so popular now, as its plastic glasses on Saturdays. I fully understand the reasons however, after being on the way back from Yorkshire recently and abused and threatened by a drunken lout, and seeing drunken women with stemmed wine glasses falling around the train. Spent 4 1/2 happy hours there last Saturday and will be back soon!!
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Deservedly popular, but that popularity brings a whole host of its own problems. The trouble is that customers come in waves - every time a train stops, a crowd of beer/rail enthusiasts pile in and the place is chaos. If you are thinking of visiting go on a midweek lunchtime session - you'll get served straight away and will actually be able to move around a bit!
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Here Here Kernott!! I've been several times and on every occasion had good service! I prefer it in winter when the coal fire is roaring!
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Cannot believe the comments on here. I have nothing to add other than this is a high quality real ale establishment that does it's best to serve people quickly and politely and that MOST people do not give it the big un as suggested by some - get a grip FFS.
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Snarling_Mallard hits the nail on the head regarding the groups of designer ale-trail types clogging-up service! Have you ever noticed how these arty-farty and very pedestrian gaggles often order something like six halves of Boddingtons and four halves of Flowers?! Never mind, I suppose it makes for good conversation at the next dinner party: 'Oh, I say, have I told you how we drank glasses of real Manchester beer and rubbed shoulders with common Northern people in this delightful railway buffet that dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria?'
The bar staff do their very best in difficult circumstances.
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Has become a destination for many rather than somewhere to have a beer or two while awaiting an onward connection. In fact if you are one of those that does have a train to catch then it may not be advisable to drop in as you may end up missing your train while waiting to get served. I had a 30 minute wait between trains and still ended up having to scull my pint ( a nice drop of Dobcross Bitter ) in order to catch my intended train. The problem isn't so much with the staff as the clientelle - if you are unfortunate enough to get there just after a crowd of 15 bearded ramblers all umming and ahh-ing about what they want before ordering and then debating whether they are going to have the pickled walnuts or flambayed weasel chips then you are in for a petty long wait - in fact you would be away on the next train and served in the Kings Head at Huddersfield station before the clog happy ramblers have decided what genus of pork scratchings they are going to have. Still worth dropping in but make sure you have enough time.
anonymous - 27 Sep 2010 20:02 |
Oh dear, this place has really gone downhill. The service is awful - I thought Wetherspoons establishments were bad. The beer, although very good, is extortionate - London prices. The place is FILTHY - empty glasses and plates on every table. Do yourself a favour - stay on the train to Huddersfield and go in The Head of Steam buffet bar.
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I first came here 27 years or so ago as a student at Manchester Uni. It was a pleasure to come back on a quiet Tuesday afternoon as I made my way along some of the real (rail) ale trail,courtesy of trans pennine express. If you like any of a) railwayana and steam railways b) real ales c) Unspoilt Victorian architecture d) real pubs, then this place should please you. If you like all of those attributes then it is maybe a case of gone to heaven and died. A rare time warp treat amongst so much of the reconstructed or chain dross that passes for a pub nowadays.
My obvious enthusiasm for this place may have blinded me to any of its bad points. But comments about its cleanliness etc seem a bit OTT. I really didn't detect a problem and the toilets were clean (which is many folks acid test of an establishment) The barmaid was friendly enough and delightfully Northern.
A long awaitied revisit that didn't disappoint. Go there.
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This pub is good if the weather is warm and sunny outside so you can sit on the platform watching the wheels go round and round, I just love to watch them roll! John Lennon.
Seriously though it offers a bygone age of traditional beer along side traditional heart warming pub grub. I recommend the corned beef hash!
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I agree with Foggyd about the staffing, but I have noticed it only seems to happen on a Friday night. If you go in at other times it is a good pub, with friendly (sometimes too talkative) bar staff. On a Friday there is a change of atmosphere and a "work to rule" attitude. Still worth a visit though, the place is unique.
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When I rate a pub I split my mark out of 10 into 5 categories; 1) Range of ales; 2) Quality of ales; 3) D�cor and cleanliness; 4) Staffing; 5) Overall ambience, character and range of activities. I never rate it based on the customers as it only takes one or two idiots to spoil things for everyone and that is by no means the fault of the pub. So here goes.
1) Range of ales � probably the best in Stalybridge. In addition to the regular Boddies, Flowers, Guiness, Strongbow, Stella and Carling, you have a choice of between 4 to 8 cask ales plus a scrumpy, although there is a heavy bias towards medium golden bitters whilst other ales like IPA, mild, porter, chocolate stout or flavoured beers only get an occasional look in. Rating 8/10.
2) Quality of ales � mediocre. Rating 4/10.
3) D�cor and cleanliness � d�cor is good with lots of railway memorabilia but the cleanliness is nothing short of filthy throughout. Rating 4/10.
4) Staffing � by far its biggest let down. Too many staff who think the place is all about them and not the customers. Tables are never, and I mean NEVER, cleared or wiped. When they become littered with meal plates, empty glasses and rubbish, customers have to take them back to the bar, where they will continue to litter the bar top often until the end of a shift! One chap on a Friday night, just stands behind the bar like a stuffed manikin and doesn�t move or talk to anyone all night. He just pushes the on/off switch on the glass washer every 40 minutes or so. The staffing has to be seen to be believed. Rating 0/10.
5) Overall ambience, character and range of activities � the place oozes character. It�s a bit like entering a pre-Dr Beeching time warp. Rating 7/10.
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agree with holbornboy 'The interior looks as if it hasn't been touched since about 1950'
Yeah it's mouldy, flakey, damp, rusty and stinks of pee.
however, the landlady (big piece mind!) is quite the opposite, I'd bet.
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A classic, quirky, old fashioned ale house packed with a variety of railway memorabilia. The narrow layout can soon make it feel rather cramped, but being on a station platform it won't be long before seats and tables become available if you're staying for a bit longer.
The eight real ales are uniformly well kept. However, I feel the range tends to place a bit too much emphasis on offering obscure, rarely seen brews which can often be mediorcre, rather than old favourites.
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As you step in to this pub you are taken back to a different era. The interior looks as if it hasn't been touched since about 1950. Old advertising boards and railway memorabilia adorn the walls. The main bar is a long narrow room with a marble-topped bar, wooden floored and high-ceilinged. There is a newish looking conservatory room to the left and another room down a corridor to the right.
Eight pumps, serving Empire Darkside, Ostler's Summer, 3B's Tacklers Tipple, Flowers IPA, Betwixt Skyline, Leyden St Swithun, something from Titanic and a cider called Moonshine White. The fridge is stocked with a selection of Belgian beers.
I tried the Ostler's Summer, the St Swithun and the Tackler's Tipple. I wasn't greatly impressed with any of them but the Tackler's Tipple was probably the best.
I also tried the house speciality - a bowl of black peas with mint sauce. They were quite tasty and filling for the princely sum of 80 pence.
Despite my disappointment in the beers I tried, I would thoroughly recommend a visit to this place and I will certainly return the next time I'm in the area.
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Paid a little visit here the other day around lunchtime. Can see what people mean when they say they would let their train go and get the next one. Had a couple of pints - very different beers but both in excellent condition. Didn't try the food but have to say it smelt wonderful! Walls covered in old (mostly railway orientatated) memorabilia and conservatory very comfortable. Reckon I'll have to stop off there again next time I'm passing through...
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A real traditional place. Can get a bit annoying when the cliquey locals seem to block your view to the 6 so real ales on offer. Worth a visit and well worth staying for another couple of pints.
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A real classic with a very fascinating interior and multiple drinking areas.Bar can get very busy and service pressured but be patient and get supping the quality ale.Tiger Rut from Millstone was sheer bliss and the EKG from Boggart Brewery hit the mark.A good selection of locally brewed ales are showcased here but bizarrely some punters still insist on drinking fizzy lager at premium prices.It's not really a place for the youngsters who are attracted to StalyVegas but some birds do pop in to quaff ,so the clientele in not dominated by CAMRA beer tickers.A must visit if you are in the area and break your journey if travelling through by train.Friendly barstaff.
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Victorian station building on the east bound platform housing a superb bar. There is a smallish room with a bar counter, a big long settle and a couple of tables, then two smaller rooms with benches and tables and a very pleasant newly refurbished conservatory opened in January 2009. The d�cor as you may expect is mainly railway based, loco and wagon plates, old posters, station signage etc. Nine handpumps with cider on one, two more with Boddingtons and Flowers IPA; the remainder dispense more interesting beers from northern micro breweries. Small range of fairly standard kegs. All the beers I tried were in absolutely excellent condition. Both the bar room and the platform just outside were rammed but the other rooms were almost empty on my visit, the crowd tending to ebb and flow with arriving and departing trains. The staff coped admirably with the pressure of any sudden influx and even the bar blockers moved politely for thirsty people. Mainly an older age group enjoying an early evening pint or three when I was there missing my train.
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What a great pub! Bang on the station platform and was able to have a pint while waiting for the train to Huddersfield - along came the train and down went the pint - brilliant. Freindly service, lively crowd, good beer. I didn't try the black peas cos i need an excuse to go back!
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Great place for a quiet afternoon tipple.Black peas,excellent.I was surprised to see Flowers IPA,which I thought had disappeared years ago.
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A classic - definitely one of the great pubs to visit before you die. Excellent beer and the black pudding and black peas a revelation. Friendly service.
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I have visited this pub on a number of occasions, always in the evening after c.19:00hrs. Always good choice of real ales mostly in splendid condition but should be at the high price at which they are served. The pub in general is,of course, physically an excellent example of its type.
Today, at lunchtime, I travelled the c.15 miles or so by bus, tram and train to get there taking my wife and neighbours so that they could savour the experience; good beer,the pie and black peas and the ambience.On entering and joining the other 7 or 8 customers there didn't seem to be the slightest acknowledgement that we had gone in let alone any sort of welcoming noises. The Taylors Landlord served was exquisite ( as usual ).
We ordered meat pie and black peas ( their speciality ). NO BLACK PEAS.
Stunned, we settled for meat pie and "mushy peas". The meat pie was quite good but the peas were not just not mushy but could have been used to good effect as bullets.
After several expensive but highly enjoyable evening visits today proves the point that whilst it takes a long time to earn an enviable reputation it takes a much shorter one to tarnish it severely.
No more lunchtime visits will take place and I shall think twice before making the trip in the evening.
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Brilliant pub with a good seletion of real ales and very friendly atmosphere. The railwayana on the walls is very interesting, and the staff on duty when I visited where the freindliest I've ever come across in a pub.
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As unlike the usual station buffet as it is possible to imagine, and just shows what can be done with a bit of effort. Had an excellent pint of Hanby's Black Magic Mild and wished that I could have stayed much longer (where's that "Would passengers please note that trains to Huddersfield have been delayed..." announcement when you need it?).
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The conservatory has now been totally rebuilt and formally reopened - no more wild drafts in mid-winter! Beer and banter as good as ever.
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Wobblybob thanks for the mention. I didn't realise anybody actually read these! I admit I was a little over the top in my criticism. It is my local pub and at times the service is not at it's best. That one night the service was crap and I was a bit annoyed. I will remove my comment, if I can.
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Met-up with friends here last night. Very enjoyable evening - great beer and friendly service in a very charactreful pub. It gets very busy - because so many people love the place. Perhaps BUFFETBORE would be happier spending a few hours looking round the displays in IKEA or Habitat and then thumbing through a Michelin to find somewhere to eat and drink.
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A Station pub on platform 1.
It is always wellntalked about and people from miles away catch the train to get here for some good ale.
Good slection of good beer ! Food too.
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Well I for one certainly can't complain about the service. I was served immediately and also paid �3 for sausage and mash (bargain). When I realised that I couldn't wait any longer for it as I would miss my train I told the barmaid to give it to somebody else, but I was immediately refunded, which I wouldn't have expected. Pub was rammed as ever but I had no problem getting served, and beer was on top form. Maybe some other visitors just had the misfortune to visit on an 'off day', but this is as brilliant as ever in my book.
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The Acme Tours Local and HQ.
It serves a wide selection of changing Ales from various breweries, usually around 6 to choose from. Great easy access from the rail platform, visitors don't even need to leave the station. If arriving from Manchester journey from train to bar is around 10 seconds, however be prepared for delays at the bar.
The bar is full of character with lots of old railway memorabilia, but is unfortunately let down occationally by the belief that dust also counts as memorabilia.
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Visited Saturday 3rd May and the place was a disgrace. Uneaten plates of food and dirty glasses left on tables. These were missed/ignored on at least two attempts by the bar staff to tidy up. Got that old invisible feeling at the feeling at the bar. Stood there for a good 10 minutes trying to get served. This was early evening, so it was not even busy. The bar staff not making eye contact no matter how hard you try, while talking endlessly to regulars. This should, and with a little effort could, be the best pub for miles. To top it all when the man next to me finally got served his 8/10th of pint of Landlord he asked for it to be topped up and they did so, with Millstone Pig & Whistle. He won't have the cheek to ask again!
Bone idle bar staff with a bad attitude who spend more time in the car park smoking than behind the bar. You can see exactly where they smoke, it is littered with fag ends.
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Only ever managed to get here in the daytime, so can't substantiate the concerns about how dirty things get in the evenings. A fine old pub, with lots of character and regulars drawn from all walks of life. This gives the place an air of accepting all-comers, which is rare in such places. The beer is undeniably excellent, with lots of brews from smaller local breweries which makes every visit something of an education. The food is also good and very keenly priced, and the staff are always ready with a smile and a joke - even at their busiest, and this place can get very busy indeed when customers arrive by the trainload!
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while since bean here. But sadly still the same: Fab ale, but very dirty pub, no reason for it because there's enough staff to clean the dripping beer from the tops,(no ash trays to empty.....well they never did empty them here anyway!)
They are doing some re-works around the station area at present making access less easy but not really a problem, I think they are going to re-name it 'The Stalybridge Station Scruffy Bar'... so I've heard, officially this time but we'll have to see.
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First ever visit from yours truly last Monday ( 31 March )
This is a well known licensed buffet bar, serving a range of half a dozen or so real ales in a nostalgic Victorian atmosphere on Platform 1 at Stalybridge B R station. Sitting there supping your pint, you half expect to experience the sights / sounds and smells of steam engines passing through.
The pub consists of several interconnecting rooms and a conservatory. Note in particular the old fireplace in the main bar, the extensive railway memorabilia and the framed newspaper articles detailing how customer petitions thwarted British Rail's attempts to close it many years ago.
I enjoyed several good pints of Hanby Mild, but for some unaccountable reason, I omitted to try the famous black peas and pie.
Stalybridge station can be easily reached from Manchesteer Victoria B R and, at only � 2.40p for an off peak return, I considered it as money well spent.
I think this is probably the first time ever that I've bought a return rail ticket without ever leaving the station at the other end !
Apparently, its now the only fully licensed public house to be found on a railway platform ( as opposed to a station concourse ) in the UK.
If you're staying in Manchester and have done the better known pubs there, I'd recommend you consider making the short trip out to Stalybridge.
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First ever visit from yours truly last Monday ( 31 March )
This is a well known licensed buffet bar, serving a range of half a dozen or so real ales in a nostalgic Victorian atmosphere on Platform 1 at Stalybridge B R station. Sitting there supping your pint, you half expect to experience the sights / sounds and smells of steam engines passing through.
The pub consists of several interconnecting rooms and a conservatory. Note in particular the old fireplace in the main bar, the extensive railway memorabilia and the framed newspaper articles detailing how customer petitions thwarted British Rail's attempts to close it many years ago.
I enjoyed several good pints of Hanby Mild, but for some unaccountable reason, I omitted to try the famous black peas and pie.
Stalybridge station can be easily reached from Manchesteer Victoria B R and, at only � 2.40p for an off peak return, I considered it as money well spent.
I think this is probably the first time ever that I've bought a return rail ticket without ever leaving the station at the other end !
Apparently, its now the only fully licensed public house to be found on a railway platform ( as opposed to a station concourse ) in the UK.
If you're staying in Manchester and have done the better known pubs there, I'd recommend you consider making the short trip out to Stalybridge.
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First ever visit from yours truly last Monday ( 31 March )
This is a well known licensed buffet bar, serving a range of half a dozen or so real ales in a nostalgic Victorian atmosphere on Platform 1 at Stalybridge B R station. Sitting there supping your pint, you half expect to experience the sights / sounds and smells of steam engines passing through.
The pub consists of several interconnecting rooms and a conservatory. Note in particular the old fireplace in the main bar, the extensive railway memorabilia and the framed newspaper articles detailing how customer petitions thwarted British Rail's attempts to close it many years ago.
I enjoyed several good pints of Hanby Mild, but for some unaccountable reason, I omitted to try the famous black peas and pie.
Stalybridge station can be easily reached from Manchesteer Victoria B R and, at only � 2.40p for an off peak return, I considered it as money well spent.
I think this is probably the first time ever that I've bought a return rail ticket without ever leaving the station at the other end !
Apparently, its now the only fully licensed public house to be found on a railway platform ( as opposed to a station concourse ) in the UK.
If you're staying in Manchester and have done the better known pubs there, I'd recommend you consider making the short trip out to Stalybridge.
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We often walk there Tuesday lunch times; and always enjoy wide selection of real ales, and traditional pub food. Where else can you get every sort of pie with every sort of peas and beans, including black peas. Great value and handy for a walk allong the canal to Greenfield, return by rail.
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We had another go at Rail Ale Trail on Saturday. Sadly Stalybridge Buffet wasn't up to much. Good choice of beers but 3 were cloudy to middling, 1 of which I took back only to be refused an exchange. The tables were littered with empty glasses and food plates. Don't the staff know how to wash up? And you can't even enjoy a pint and a smoke when doing a bit of train spotting anymore. Network Rail insist you retire to the car park in order to indulge in such pleasures. What is the world coming to?
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Regarding FoggyD's post.
Were any of your group smoking? Since 1 July railway byelaws have forbidden smoking anywhere (including open platforms) on any railway station. I'm not surprised Northern Rail declined to comment: Stalybridge is not one of its stations! It's managed by First TransPennine Express.
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well kept ales but I agree I wouldn't take anybody here as sadly the place is grubby.
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We also did the Trans-Pennine Rail Ale Trail as recommended by Northern Trains. Stalybridge Buffet has some lovely tables along the platform where you can sit out in the sun and enjoy a pint but when we attempted to do so the railway staff ordered us to leave the platform and return inside the bar. What is all that about for goodness sake? It goes without saying that Northern Trains declined to comment. Still at least the beer was on form.
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I've called here a few times as part of a trip on the 'Rail Ale Trail'. It certainly is a strange place, worthy of 9/10 if only for the fantastic range of real ales and incredibly cheap food. Railway enthusiasts will also love the decor.
But avoid busy times and definitely don't go near the place on Friday nights as it takes an eternity to get served. The tables are never cleared, they frequently run out of glasses because the staff can't be bothered collecting & washing them and, to really add insult to injury, they won't even bother changing the barrel when a beer runs out.
My advice is get there before 7.30pm if you want the full range of beers.
Great little traditional station buffet, let down by staff with a chip on their shoulder. Or should that be a sack of spuds?
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Situated on railway station platform. Called in on a pub crawl around Stalybridge and never left for another pub. Good selection of handpulls, Timothy Taylor, Flowers IPA, Boddingtons!?! and some more unusuals like Allgates all well kept. Simple food fayre, couldnt resist the pie and peas, yummee, and atmosphere with railway and beer memorabilia all very interesting. Will be visiting again soon and promise to try more Stalybridge pubs!
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When this place is busy and sometimes when not the beer drips off the counter, there's food on the floor and tables and glasses uncollected from tables. The glasses are in a very poor state, old and scratched, there's a bad smell in the air and a few of the regulars are possibly tramps. The bar takes a fortune often, it's unbelievable what standards people will put up with for a decent pint.
Awful, shame on the owners it's a disgrace and it's an embarrasssment to take anyone here.
Anonymous post, obviously to avoid catching owt!
anonymous - 2 Oct 2007 21:49 |
By far the best pub in Stalybridge. Constantly changing selection of ales, both local and more widespread. Intersting selection of bottled beers, including Belgian style beers.
Decent food and snacks, always a busy pub and it's easy to see why.
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First class pub. Regular haunt on outings (pub crawls)from the rugby club as it is very convenient for the train home!
Beer first class. Black peas and black pudding are a delight
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I agree - if it wasn't for those knobheads around the bar who are there every bloody day spending their hard earned cash, the place would have closed years ago thus giving the high-and-mighty "once a year" visitors nowhere to go and nothing to moan about !
anonymous - 12 May 2007 11:49 |
Made my 1st visit on Monday evening after promising myself to go for the last 20 odd years. Worth the wait? Yes! Good atmosphere and choice of beers. Perhaps a lick of paint once the smoking ban comes into force may not go amiss, but at the moment many establishments fall into this catergory. Snack range was also 1st class. It won't 20 years before visit number 2!
Must say most of the regulars looked as if they were on their way to a Fidel Castro lookalike competition!!
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Agree with alanjherron about the knobheads who hog the bar where the guest handpumps are.The beer is very good once you can see what they are selling
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Superb, old, station bar with good, changing range of real ales - including a mild/porter/stout. The train can be late anytime, when I'm here!
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World class time-warp bar. The beer is never less than excellent and holds adventurous beer festivals of its own. No idea what planet the guy who suggested it's grubby lives on.
Beware of drunken ASFC computer bods.
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This place has been my little piece of heaven for years.Many times,on my way to Darlington,I have broken the outward journey from Manchester( contrary to the terms of carriage)and enjoyed the ale and atmosphere-especially in the winter when the fire is lit.The only downside to this wonderful watering hole are the 'sales prevention officers'that always sit directly in front of the guest ales,and short sighted gits like me can't read the pump clips.Try the 'parch peas.'
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Ratings out of 10
Beer: v. good 8
Atmosphere/decor: boring 2
Cleanliness: grubby 2
Staff: ok 5
Clientele: Railwaymen/old hippies 1
Food: ?
Sum up: good pint in dull surroundings
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Recently made the pilgrimage on the advice of a friend whilst staying in Manchester. The sort of place where you know your train is due, but think "what the hell, I'll get the next one".
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Superb pub with an ever changing array of quality real ales, traditional and atmospheric, a must.
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A hidden gem..... Well worth finding for the atmosphere as well as the ale.
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An absolute gem. If you have any interest in real ales, railways or old-fashioned idiosyncratic English pubs you'll love it. Rather tucked out of the way unless you're actually catching a train from Stalybridge station, but well worth a diversion or a break in your train journey.
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Visited for the first time yesterday, certainly won't be the last. A mixture of types drinking here, all seemed very matey, staff very friendly. Real ales up to scratch. The railway memorabilia, reminiscent of the Head of Steam [Doric Arch] at London Euston, is far more attractive than the unrelated junk some other pubs scatter round the place. Well worth leaving your train for, there's normally another an hour or so later. Excellent!
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Can I make a couple of comments here. Visited last night and I disagree with MrBean that this place is boring...far from it. A fight almost broke out before the quiz between a regular and an irratating whimp who was too coward to go outside. I was told he was an out of work ex-radio presenter with a big gob, some people never learn, idiot! Anyway agree that the beer is great. People didn't seem too scruffy, it looked like maybe one or two made the effort (two I think) and the staff were very friendly and smart.
Definately great place worth a visit.
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This is just heaven!
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There's only one good reason to go here, brilliant ale. No other reason, but thats good enough. It's boring, un-original train related trash, scruffy drinkers who don't wash their hair, no seriously some smelly people go in here, cheapskates everywhere, then even worse James 'the coward' Stannage does a quiz here and that MP James Hypocrit Purnell can be found, well he can go to hell. Arty farty boring lefty wierdy beards you would never trust meet up here, trouble causers. The only females are the pleasant staff, god knows how they put up with such freaks. Folk music!! please no!
Otherwise a very nice place.
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Unless you commute from Stalybridge or have a copy of the Good Pub Guide, you would never know this place exists which would be a crying shame. Situated in a Victorian Buffet bar on the platform of Stalybridge Station, this place acts as a pub, cafe, museum and waiting room. Old railway memorobelia adorns the walls but this is not for the weatherbeaten train spotter - it is a real ale buffs paradise. The number of guest beers that pass through their hands is staggering and the food is excellent and cheap. This really is a place for a good session and not just for waiting for a train! I don't give 10 marks easily for pubs but this really is something unique and is hard to fault.
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Last time I was here I let my Train go so I could have a couple more pints in this gem of a place,
Fantastic ale selection
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The buffet bar is located on the platform of Stalybridge Railway Station. Continually rotating ale choices along with excellent lagers, topped off by wonderfully ecletic decor in an eccentric location - this pub really is hard to beat. Plus the staff and mix of locals/regulars make everyone feel welcome. So much so, that it is quite likely you'll miss your train home. Highly recommended.
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Unique pub and victorian buffet bar with a great range of real ales. Fantastic staff and very friendly pub in an unusual setting these days.
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Well boys and girls...no excuse for drink driving with this little gem! Actually on the platform of Stalybridge station, has occasional folk nights and a great selection of guest beers, my favourite being Crippled Dick.
This place is unique and to think they nearly shut it down. Madness.
Garon - 13 May 2004 18:31 |
like stepping back in time superb cask ales and continental lagers in bottles. great tucker as well try the pie and peas excellent
fat dog - 12 Apr 2004 18:32 |
really nice pub to visit.. especially for some proper nice grub at rock bottom prices... top!
kelly - 28 Mar 2004 14:36 |
Ever changing beers from all over the Country. Popular with CAMRA members and beer tickers.Try the black peas!
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Real ale bar on platform of Stalybridge train station. Most ales cheap and nice atmosphere
James McClean - 21 Aug 2003 21:54 |
