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Detail Pages
Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar, Stalybridge
Stalybridge
SK15 1RF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
On Platform 1 of Stalybridge B R Station is The Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar which, according to the Famous Grouse 100 plaque, is “one of the few remaining refreshment rooms from the golden age of steam”. It dates back to 1885.
On an outside wall, a plaque pays tribute to one Fred Wood who, in 1907, averted a tragedy by turning the points and diverting a runaway train from causing carnage.
The main room features a marble topped bar counter and a veritable treasure trove of railway memorabilia – photographs of old steam trains, old station signs, route maps etc. Some Art Nouveau decorative leaded windows, banquettes and lace curtains contribute to a fine traditional Victorian ambience.
As well as the railway memorabilia, there’s various brewery posters and mirrors, including an old J & J Morisons Pale Ales of Edinburgh mirror. Local photographs include one of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visiting Stalybridge Station shortly after the war. Several interesting framed newspaper cuttings record, for posterity, how British Rail’s attempts to close this Buffet Bar were successfully resisted. The pub is listed in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.
A hexagonal shaped conservatory provides additional seating. This conservatory is clearly an extension to the main bar, which is housed in the original station building, and features a tiled floor and padded banquette seating around the room’s perimeter. A door from the conservatory leads to a few outside seats, positioned in what appears to be the station car park.
The Buffet Bar is a CAMRA Good Beer Guide regular and, based on my visits, clearly focuses on local micros. My latest visit ( March 2012 ) found beers from Cottage, Millstone, Nook, Greenfield, Hornbeam and Phoenix amongst others on the two banks of four handpumps each. Both beers sampled by me – Phoenix Spotland Gold and Greenfield Brewery Dobcross – were in good nick.
A range of basic snacks includes the local delicacy – black peas, served in a cup, 90p.
There’s a certain similarity to the Refreshment Rooms at Dewsbury Station – both establishments clearly have a solid core of loyal customers who are evidently not waiting for trains, but who clearly appreciate the range of ales and traditional atmosphere.
Stalybridge Station is easily accessible by train from Manchester Victoria ( approx £ 3 for a cheap day return ). If you’re in the area, and you’ve done Manchester’s main pubs, it’s well worth the short train journey to get here.
On 7th June 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Andy Ven left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
I can’t add much to what’s already been said. This place (along with the other station platform bars) is one of the best on the Trans-Pennine rail ale crawl. It’s compact so it can get busy. 8 real ale handpulls offer an ever changing range plus another one offering cider. Old railway signage and paraphernalia adorn the walls inside. We were well impressed. A friendly place right on the Huddersfield-bound platform where there’s little chance of you missing the next train, unless it’s on purpose.
The enchanting surroundings and choice of ale meant that I was sucked into starting this all day crawl like, er, a train. GBG 2010 entry.
On 16th May 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 244 recommendations about 240 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malcolm Glaister left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
This "Buffet Bar" still excells and has done for the last forty years of my passing trade and hopefully much longer!
It is worth getting off the Eastbound train and calling in then cathing the next train. Brilliant I NEVER miss it out
On 11th February 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 18 recommendations about 17 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
A real classic with a very fascinating interior and multiple drinking areas.Bar can get very busy and service pressured but be patient and get supping the quality ale.On my visit Tiger Rut from Millstone was sheer bliss and the EKG from Boggart Brewery hit the mark.A good selection of locally brewed ales are showcased here but bizarrely some punters still insist on drinking fizzy lager at premium prices.It's not really a place for the youngsters who are attracted to StalyVegas but some birds do pop in to quaff ,so the clientele in not dominated by beer tickers.A must visit if you are in the area and break your journey if travelling through by train.Friendly barstaff.
On 9th February 2010
- rating: 10
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
Victorian station building on the east bound platform housing a superb bar. There is a smallish room with a bar counter, a big long settle and a couple of tables, then two smaller rooms with benches and tables and a very pleasant newly refurbished conservatory opened in January 2009. The décor as you may expect is mainly railway based, loco and wagon plates, old posters, station signage etc. Nine handpumps with cider on one, two more with Boddingtons and Flowers IPA; the remainder dispense more interesting beers from northern micro breweries. Small range of fairly standard kegs. All the beers I tried were in absolutely excellent condition. Both the bar room and the platform just outside were rammed but the other rooms were almost empty on my visit, the crowd tending to ebb and flow with arriving and departing trains. The staff coped admirably with the pressure of any sudden influx and even the bar blockers moved politely for thirsty people. Mainly an older age group enjoying an early evening pint or three when I was there missing my train.
On 8th November 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
As unlike the usual station buffet as it is possible to imagine, and just shows what can be done with a bit of effort. Had an excellent pint of Hanby's Black Magic Mild and wished that I could have stayed much longer (where's that "Would passengers please note that trains to Huddersfield have been delayed..." announcement when you need it?).
On 28th February 2009
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about Stalybridge Station Buffet Bar
Unless you commute from Stalybridge or have a copy of the Good Pub Guide, you would never know this place exists which would be a crying shame. Situated in a Victorian Buffet bar on the platform of Stalybridge Station, this place acts as a pub, cafe, museum and waiting room. Old railway memorobelia adorns the walls but this is not for the weatherbeaten train spotter - it is a real ale buffs paradise. The number of guest beers that pass through their hands is staggering and the food is excellent and cheap. This really is a place for a good session and not just for waiting for a train! I don't give 10 marks easily for pubs but this really is something unique and is hard to fault.
On 24th October 2005
- rating: 9
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]