The best railway pubs in and around Greater Manchester

Whether you’re there by accident, or by design, there’s just something about a railway pub. The people watching, the olde worlde bric-a-brac, the tempting thrill of ‘have we got time for another round?’

Luckily here in Manchester, and the not-too-distant beyond, we’ve got loads of well-connected watering holes, so that you can ensure your journeys are well-lubricated, even if they’re plagued with all the typical Northern Rail frustrations.

From Edwardian platform-side breweries, to cosy refreshment rooms, to modern craft beer places, read our guide to the best railway station pubs in (and near) Manchester..

Bask, Stockport

As Stockport continues its inexorable journey to full trendiness, where do weary ravers, coffee shop enthusiasts and independent food market attendees go when they’re waiting for their train? Bask, of course. Not technically on the station, but as close as it’s possible to be, Bask serves beers of both ‘normal’ and ‘craft’ varieties, as well as brekkies and classic pub lunches. Plus there’s usually a DJ set or live music on the weekend. It isn’t particularly old school, in fact it’s in a new, glass-fronted unit, but that makes it all the better for watching people coming and going out of the station.

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20 Railway Road, Stockport SK1 3SW

Buffer Stops, Rawtenstall

The East Lancashire Railway is 12 miles of heritage (read: steam-powered) railway line between Heywood and Rawtenstall, north of Manchester. Whether or not you’re taking a pleasure trip on the historic line, or just after a trackside tipple, Buffer Stops is the bar in the former waiting room of Rawtenstall station. There’s, delightfully, absolutely nothing modern here: five real ales and one real cider on hand pump, as well as a variety of lagers, continental beers and traditional pub snacks, plus seating on the platform itself.

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Bury Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale BB4 6AG

The Kings Head, Huddersfield

Huddersfield’s majestic railway station – complete with Roman columns – is just half an hour out of Manchester Victoria. If that leaves you with more time to play with that you expected, stop off in the Kings Head. It’s filled with original tiling, stained glass and wood panelling, with an array of ales on cask and keg. There’s a neat little bit of outdoor seating too, which overlooks some equally grand buildings. If you have more contemporary taste, head to The Head of Steam, which ‘bookends’ the opposite end of the station.

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18 St George’s Square, Huddersfield HD1 1JF

Oxford Road Tap

The most recent addition to the pantheon of Manchester ‘taps’, Oxford Road Tap is a compact little craft beer bar in one of the buildings on Station Approach with the same swooping, mid-century design as the station itself. Inside isn’t much bigger than an actual train carriage, but a scattering of outdoor seating doubles capacity when weather allows. On the taps there are local and not-so-local beers, from Buxton Brewery to Budvar – so wherever’s your final destination, you can get acclimatised.

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Station Approach, Manchester M1 6FU

Piccadilly Tap, Manchester

Piccadilly Tap is a station pub that holds its own as a place to visit, whether you’re travelling or not. Located over two floors in a unit of the ‘Lazy S’-shaped Station Approach, it has retained loads of late 60s features original to the modernist building, like stone-clad walls and teak panelling. Upstairs, there’s a pool table, and a top-notch roof terrace where you can watch foot traffic ebbing and flowing into Piccadilly. On the taps there’s a dizzying array of reputable breweries, from Shindigger to Thornbridge to Big Trip.

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Gateway House, Station Approach, Manchester M1 2GH

The Sheffield Tap, Sheffield

Not – in any shape or form – within the realm of Greater Manchester, but any Northern railway pub round-up would be remiss not to mention The Sheffield Tap. In fact, in 2025, The European Beer Consumers Union (who sound like a great lot to spend an afternoon with) named in the best in Europe to consume a pint while travelling by rail. Thoroughly refurbished in 2008, the place is full of red leather booths, vaulted ceiling and chandeliers. If that sounds unapproachable, it isn’t. It’s buzzy, welcoming, and affordable. There’s an array of new-and old-school brews on tap, plenty of alcohol free options, and of course a strong representation of The Tapped Brew Co. beers, which are brewed on site, and lend the place its characteristic malty aroma.

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Sheffield Station, 1b Sheaf Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BP

Stalybridge Buffet Bar & Beerhouse, Stalybridge

The last of a dying breed of Victorian station buffet bars, Stalybridge Buffet is a curiosity worth visiting. Stumble off your train and into a cosy, ramshackle room full of historical ephemera, real ale and snacks from a bygone era (black peas, beef sandwiches, corned beef hash – that sort of thing). If your tastes are more contemporary, they often have street food pop-ups at the weekend. Something for everyone.

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Platform 4, Stalybridge Railway Station, Rassbottom St, Stalybridge SK15 1RF

The Station, Irlam

A properly pretty station pub with a platform-adjacent beer garden, The Station is a great spot to sink a couple of pints, or perhaps enjoy a ‘full steam ahead’ cooked breakfast. The inside is kitted out with charming carriage-like booths, vintage suitcases, and a collection of old UK tourism posters, which really add to the ‘Brief Encounter’ vibe. The bar is well-stocked with a good range of beers, wines and spirits, and the menu is full of typically pubby grub. You can also enjoy an afternoon tea, if a nostalgic experience is what you’re after.

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Irlam Station, Station Road, Irlam M44 5ZR

The Trackside, Bury

Another East Lancs fave, The Trackside in Bury is popular among the cask ale crowd – and with 10 permanent handpumps, there’s plenty to choose from. Inside has a pleasing vintage vibe – lots of dark green, tan leather and chequerboard tiles floors. You can enjoy cooked breakfasts, pub classics and a ploughman’s sharing board.

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Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street, Bury BL9 0EY

West Riding Refreshment Rooms, Dewsbury

This grand-looking, ivy-covered pub used to be a waiting room, and now it’s a place you can very happily pass a few hours, whether you’re travelling anywhere or not. There are three rooms, all adorned with antique curiosities, and fans of original architectural features are in for a field day. The bar line-up leans heavily towards all things real ale, and you can enjoy pizzas, Sunday dinners, quiz nights and the like.

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Station Buildings, Dewsbury Railway Station, Wellington Road, Dewsbury WF13 1HF

Victoria Tap, Manchester

Often overlooked in favour of the more cosmopolitan Piccadilly Station, Victoria is definitely the chic-er place to travel from, complete with a vast brickwork mural of the rail map and space-y bubble roof. Now journeys are even more sophisticated with a stop at Victoria Tap, a craft beer-centric watering hole with live train departure displays. Get cosied up inside, or enjoy their astroturfed outdoor space, with views of the trams coming and going. We’ll take this over a Pret-A-Manger any day.

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Gateway House, Station Approach, Manchester M1 2GH