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The Red Lion, Darlington
Darlington
DL1 1NG
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Red Lion
Facing the central entrance from the rear wall of the Red Lion is a central green panelled serving counter where a handful of down-to-earth locals had assembled during a recent midweek early evening visit. To the left of the entrance is DJ booth and beyond is some banquette seating. To the right is more banquette seating adjacent to a fireplace with a TV airing TNT Sports above, this was muted while some background music played. Upstairs are another couple of seating areas with a lounge at the front and high tables and banquettes at the rear. Unfortunately, all three hand pumps in this Greene King pub were unused which left a standard keg selection and Birra Moretti alongside a heated pork crackling cabinet. There are better options in the immediate area, so I doubt I’ll ever revisit.
On 6th February 2026
- rating: 4
[User has posted 6560 recommendations about 6522 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Red Lion
Decent enough pub after two decidedly average ones. Abbot on draft which was a blessing after so much lager.
On 18th January 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Red Lion
A well kept GK pub with a large comfortable lounge area, as you enter and the bar facing you. There was a small snug over in the left hand side corner with a pool table. The pub was busy on our Monday Lunchtime visit, with a mix of drinkers and diners. On handpump GK IPA and Abbott.
On 22nd March 2015
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3745 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Red Lion Hotel
This town centre Greene King pub has a decent amount of traditional pub character coupled with the usual town centre pub amenities and Greene King offerings. The tidy, carpeted main bar is quite open and unfussy with the wonderful patterned and coloured glass windows being the prominent feature.
A cosy snug bar is separated from the main body of the pub at one end and there is also a discreet pool room off one corner of the pub. A tiny courtyard serves little purpose other than to give smokers a different option to the front door.
The general décor is pub by numbers stuff with a few nick nacks dotted about including a list of landlords stretching back to 1851 which is probably about the time the building was built although I gather that this is one of the oldest pubs in Darlington and may therefore be a bit older than the list suggests. There are 2 TVs + a big screen in the main bar and a further screen in the pool room all showing World Cup footy when I was present.
The beers were a bit disappointing - just 3 pumps with a couple of the usual Greene King suspects in Speckled Hen and IPA (with the North and South pull contraption). The third pump was unsused. Bargain food seems to be one of the big draws and whilst I didn’t eat here, I would think it comes under the get what you pay for banner although with Fish & Chips (2 for £5.99), Sunday Roasts at £3.99 and several main courses under £4, it’s probably worth a chance and certainly gives the local ‘Spoons asome competition. House wine at £6.99 a bottle also seemed to be a decent enough bargain if you are not fussy.
Overall, not a bad pub for a town centre and it seemed welcoming enough but is a bit limited beer wise by the Greene King connection.
On 7th July 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]