Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, Stalybridge

Official site of Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar - beerhouses.co.uk

Official site of Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar - beerhouses.co.uk

I recently paid a long overdue visit to the renowned Station Buffet Bar on Platform 1 at Stalybridge Railway Station. This was my first and last point of call during a lacklustre Tuesday evening crawl of the town. My first visit, not long after 18:00, found the outside café seating by the front entrance to be full, as was the round front seating area. The bar was also full with a few people standing at the counter up the left and all the tables up the right being used, mostly by bearded gentlemen. The nine ales listed on the large cask chalkboard behind the bar were Acorn Brewery’s Yorkshire Pride, Ashover Brewery’s Littlemoor Citra, Titanic’s Avalon, North Riding Brewery’s US IPA, Rooster’s Brewing’s Howl and Thousand Yard Stare, Ossett & Northern Monk Breweries’ Force of Nature, TT Boltmaker and Blackedge Brewing’s Dark Mild. Hogan’s Libertine was the real cider offering. I opted for a very nice pint of Acorn and a cheese pie to line the stomach, good value for money. With a lack of seating in the bar I retreated to the next ‘compartment’, which was empty so I had the pick of a few tables. A forth seating area at the rear was also empty, except for seating and lots of railway memorabilia that is found throughout this beer and train enthusiasts dream. My second visit was sometime before 22:00 when I received equally welcoming service from the bar staff, this time going for a great pint of Ossett. The front areas of this thin building, including the bar area, were now quiet, but the room at the end was packed with musicians playing folk music. I was happy listening to the music by the door whilst I supped my pint waiting for the train back to Manchester. I really liked this place, it is certainly the best station bar I’ve visited and I’ll be sure to return.

A classic Victorian railway platform bar (which you can access direct from the station as there are no barriers – head to platform #1). Four rooms done head-to-toe in rail memorabilia and traditional décor underneath; you could be sat in 1950. Holds a great atmosphere even when there's just a few people in. Coal fire, lovely. A plethora of cask on plus some ciders and 8 craftykeg. My Acorn Polish Hop was in great shape (NBSS 4.5) though the Salopian Lemon Dream was fag-end (2.5). Popped back for a swifty before my train and had a Thornbridge Tipit which was also excellent (4). Also a good selection of bar food, hot pies, pork pies and scotch eggs. Great place, a real must-visit. Only a few minutes and a few quid from Manchester Piccadilly, so well-worth a couple of hours of your time when in Manc.