The Red Lion, Darlington

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.