The Quakerhouse, Darlington

Another alley bar which isn’t obvious on approach. This one has an alehouse feel; bare brick walls in the main (including the lower servery) with a bit of off-white and turquoise paint, plus a brick bar from the 70s and a very nice set of stained glass servery uppers. Live music a big thing here judging by the posters and the (at times interminable) grunge music. Eight cask on over nine pumps - all micro breweries - and my Mithril Quaker was excellent quality (NBSS 4) whilst the Salamander Python Porter was a bit less stellar (3), served-up by a chatty barman from the woolly hatted skater skool. The pub is GBG listed, of course. There’s mention below of beer being brewed on the premises (Mad Scientist) but I didn’t see any my visit. Enjoyable place if you like a pint of ale, though not one you’d necessarily take your missus to.

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.