The Q Inn, Stalybridge

Just outside the station, you can hear trains on the bridge and viaduct above, and of course it’s the shortest pub name and all that. It’s a Hydes tied house with their beers on four pulls, one labelled as Q Ale which is probably “Original”, one pull unclipped, and a fairly standard range of UK kegs, although it had Thornbridge Jaipur. Internally it’s all exposed brick work, nice low ceilings and highly varnished flagstones, a vestigial wall/fireplace divides the place into two areas. Not much room for photos, pictures and the like, there are some screens, dart board and machines. To the right is a covered drinking area and beer garden, there’s public rooms upstairs I didn’t explore and the counter is quite nice with stained glass above. I did notice a rather disheartening sign from GMP inviting you to grass up your drunk mates. Piped music at medium volume.

In the shadow of the railway passing above and just a door along from the pub with the longest name in the UK is the Q Inn. This pub was awarded the title of shortest name by the Guinness Book of Records back in 1995. I suppose this is true if you omit the ‘Inn’, although is this not part of the pub’s name? All a bit dubious if you ask me. Anyway, this Hydes pub actually looks quite inviting from the outside, or maybe I just have a thing for leaded windows and fairy lights. The exposed brick interior has a bar counter with a stained glass top-bar across the rear wall that faces a supporting wall that separates standard tables and chairs in the right from high tables and a dartboard in the left. Sky and TNT Sports are shown with Cricket being on during my recent Tuesday evening visit. The service from the young barmaid was very polite, and the Lowry was well served. Three more hand pumps were also drawing Hydes beers and the keg options were Carling, premium and some craft. This pub has stiff competition with the Station Buffet Bar just the other side of the railway bridge, but it’s certainly better than its longest name counterpart.

Hydes Brwery's other Stalybridge pub consists of an open room that was packed on my Saturday evening visit. It does have a nice garden with a verandah and a shelter. The only beers I could see from the four hand pumps were Hydes and one called Open Casket (£2.85) which turned out to be from Brains and was in good nick. I can't say I took to this pub but it's probably better at a quieter time.