Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, Stalybridge

My first visit here for three to four years. Glad to see that nothing has changed. I always like station bars. This place is timeless and gives me a very nostalgic and comfortable feeling. The Millstone Tiger Rut was very good, as were the Haggis Scotch Eggs. Worth a 10 but a point off for its habit of making me miss a train or two and for not opening at 10.30 to welcome me on my arrival.

The Stalybridge Buffet has been on my radar for more than twenty years and on a recent Saturday morning I finally managed to visit it. There's not much to say about it that hasn't already been said but I did find out that it's run by the same company as the Dewsbury one on the wrong side of the Pennines. There are ten hand pumps which had two ciders, Dark Star APA, RAT Nosferatu, Millstone Vale Mill & Stout, Beartown Ursa Minor & Black Bear, Landlord and Redwillow Directionless. Before my train arrived I had time for a Nosferatu (£3.50) and Dark Star APA (£3.10) both of which went down a treat. I was here around midday and there were already a couple of groups of younger folk presumably doing the Ale Trail. I suspect this place may be best on a weekday but I would return anytime and will do so as rather pathetically I failed to find Bridge Beers on the return journey!

Lovely railway related rooms on east bound platform. Good choice of beers

Official site of Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar - www.beerhouses.co.uk

Official site of Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar - www.beerhouses.co.uk