The Draughtsman Alehouse, Doncaster

They still have a screen on the bar counter from Covid days, but this is used to change the point of service to the right hand edge, while pump clips can be observed through the perspex, though for those of us with an obsession, this makes photographing them very tricky. My half of The Kernel Half Brick 4.7% (a red rye ale) was enjoyable, though drinking out of plastic makes it difficult to judge the quality of the beer (possibly NBSS 3.5). I find it hard to warm to this bar, and it certainly isn't the Sheffield Tap. With more than 40 minutes between trains I would always go to the Little Plough, but with a 25 minute connection for a Sheffield train from platform 3b, it makes sense to call in here.

Supposed to be open but they called time at 1.15 on a Sunday afternoon?? Which meant it was take-out only, which I politely declined.

Unusually for a station pub, this pub is located on one of the central platforms at Doncaster station. So, you can't access if from the outside of the station. Nevertheless, there are no ticket barriers at the station. So, you can access the bar easily without having to have a train ticket. Although when I walked down the steps to get to platform 3, I did notice some ticket inspectors checking tickets at the top of the steps opposite. So, I'm not quite sure how you get round that! The former buffet bar is still very nicely decorated with tiling. It's very small inside, with only a handful of tables. Despite trade mainly being of a transient variety, many of the tables had reserved signs on them, which seemed a little odd. The bar still has its screens as relics of the Covid era. 3 real ales are dispensed. Yesterday, these were Shiny Cinnabun Swirl, Milestone West Coast IPA & Wilde Child Excluding Preconception. Craft beers listed were Wild Beer Millionaire, North Double Transmission & Open Space, The Kernel Pale Ale & Pohjala Suvila. Although, I did see somebody try to order one of the North beers, only to be told it had just run out. An interesting addition to the Doncaster pub scene. My Cinnabun Swirl was also enjoyable and in good condition.

Odder than usual drinking experience, covid regs still being over applied, big screens across the counter which is fine if the remaining serving area isn’t full of bar blockers... grrr. Otherwise such a good place and handy for the trains. Fecking cold outside but some choose to drink on the platform, train spotters no doubt.