Waterloo Arms, Waterloo, SE1

The Wellesley is actually not too bad for a station bar, but of course one doesn’t have high expectations of these subterranean places. There’s a carpeted raised area to the right as you approach the bar, with some comfortable seating, and an ornamental feature of a metal range fireplace on the left. There were TV screens showing Sky Sports, and the usual array of one-armed bandits and games machines for those needing some entertainment while waiting for their trains. But this is not the sort of place one chooses to visit – you’re in here because you’ve got some time to kill while waiting for a train, and in that respect it serves its purpose as somewhere you can get a pint of (overpriced) ale while you wait. They had Bombardier, London Pride, OSH, and Young’s Bitter on when I paid my brief visit the other day. The London Pride was £3.50 a pint, so I won’t be back until the next time that I have some time to kill before my train leaves. The toilets still have dimplex locks and they’re still asking if you want any crisps, etc.

A visit purely due to a train delay and a full bladder. Sadly the toilet code has changed since my last visit so I was embarrassed into buying a drink. Despite this, having found my nadir of station bars some years ago in Birmingham New St, I now consider these places more objectively. A below ground level bar, at least serving real ale, usual suspects, ie Pride, Youngs, Deuchers, but you need to keep on top of the staff re filling your glass. My pint initially was so short I thought the cask had run out. It does however serve a purpose and the beer was ok. A good place to play watch the punter try the toilets having pretended to seek out a friend before finding out the code is needed.