Number Twenty 2, Darlington

Another 2011 Good Beer Guide pub that has to be visited when in Darlington for ale choice and quality. Had a meal too this visit and it was superb. They don't hurry you along to clear the tables here, and we had a lazy couple of hours in good company enjoying the food. The beer was in good condition too and enjoyed Village Zetland brewed by Hambleton.

A long thin bar in a high ceilinged victorian building, home of the Village Brewer although the beers are brewed under contract at Hambleton. 15 hand pumps with the Village Brewer range plus changing guests from UK micro breweries, all very well kept. There is also a wide range of european beers on draught and in bottle. Good service from professional liveried staff. The elegantly decorated room is split into three distinct areas, chair seating with tables near the door at the front, a “canteen” at the back and a mainly vertical drinking area in the middle with a few bar stools and shelves to rest a pint on. The blinds over the big clear front windows say this is a “Traditional Ale House and Canteen”, which tells half the story; the other half being that it is probably the most civilised pub in central Darlington.

Lovely bar this, well worth a visit.

Top Pub with 12 Real Ales plus a large number of imports when I visited. Food also available in this award winning pub. *GBG 2008* listed