Quakerhouse, Darlington

This is a smallish pub in an unassuming building in what is basically a courtyard between two rows of shops in the centre of Darlington. I couldn't see any signage at all from the outside, but then it was absolutely lashing it down so I didn't hang around staring at the outside. I wasn't even sure if the place was open at first but then spotted the open door so in I went. You enter into a bit of a small lobby area with the disabled toilet, stairs to the toilets and a door to the left to enter the main bar. At the bar are 9 hand pulls, two of which were off at the time of my visit, and a chalk board behind the bar lists all the ales with prices per pint and per half. I had a Mad Scientist bourbon stout (£3.30/pint, £1.65/half) which I didn't realise at the time was brewed on the premises. The beer itself had a slightly sour tang, which I put down to the bourbon, but I can't be 100% sure if it was meant to be like that. It was perfectly drinkable though. Nice music was playing at the time of my visit, and it is the kind of place I would be happy to come back to.

I was beginning to despair of Central Darlington until we found this excellent pub hidden down an alleyway just behind Binns. There is one very atmospheric bar with a superb range of beers and enthusiastic staff. The tiny Mad Scientist brewery is located in the cellar and their beers can only be found here (not to mention the brewers!), while upstairs is a function room which hosts occasional live music and other events. Definitely one to seek out.

Smallish pub with a good selection of real ales on offer. Would probably revisit.

It's unlikely you could ever come across this place by chance as it is stuck down a narrow alley between Skinnergate and High Row. It also has very discreet signage so even when you end up a few yards away it isn't immediately obvious that it is a pub. I rather doubt that this was always a pub, in fact someone said it was formerly a cafe or coffee shop. It seems to be an old building as can be seen from the interior with exposed old brickwork and wooden floors. It's not very large and a steep staircase at the entrance leads to the toilets and another room which was unused. The beer selection was large and interesting. It was difficult to see the pump clips as the stools at the bar were taken up. I noticed a couple of North Yorkshire beers but went for the Black Metal Yggdrasil and the Rudgate York Chocolate Stout both of which were in ecellent condition. It's certainly a must visit pub but the upstairs toilets andf bar stools are a bit of a pain.