Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, Stalybridge

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.

This "Buffet Bar" still excells and has done for the last forty years of my passing trade and hopefully much longer! It is worth getting off the Eastbound train and calling in then cathing the next train. Brilliant I NEVER miss it out

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.On my visit 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 beer tickers.A must visit if you are in the area and break your journey if travelling through by train.Friendly barstaff.

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 décor 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.