I visited the quirky Manchester bar in a train station that has good vibes, charm and a great pint

The humble train station pint is seen as somewhat of a tradition to many people, whether commuting back after a hard day at work, or getting ready for a night on the town, a cold pint tends to go down well. 

Users of Manchester’s Victoria Station have a new drinking hole to visit and whatever brings you to the station - it's well worth 30 minutes of your time. Victoria Tap occupies a small slither of the train station building, and walking in from either of the main entrances to Victoria you could easily miss it.

The time in the year for sitting in sunny beer gardens may be over, but we're into 'cosy pub' season and this will be a fine addition to Manchester's collection. The rustic features of the bar as well as the huge selection of beers, ales and other alcoholic drinks makes for a great visit.

I dropped by for a drink before the Blink-182 gig at the AO Arena, which is of course located just across the way from the pub. The bubbly atmosphere and swathes of friendly faces made for a good tempered experience, with plenty of signing and laughter from those attending the gig. 

The bar, even on a busy night like that, feels as though it will be a great spot to get away from the busy Manchester streets, whilst also being in a near perfect place. A digital board just to the left of the greets you as you walk in. It tells passengers of train times, so you’ll know exactly when you need to leave and whether or not you’ll have time for one more. 

The long list of draft options is chalked onto an old train arrivals board on top of the bar which stretches across the room. With 23 options, even the pickiest ale or beer taster with the most hard to please pallet is sure to be satisfied. 

There are plenty of indoor seating areas, although I was hard pushed to find any on what was a busy Sunday evening in Victoria. On top of this, however, there is a seating area outside which gives you a few inside the station and backs onto the Metrolink lines. 

On a particularly chilly October night, there were only a hardy few who braced the temperatures for a seat outside. Many sat or stood near the bar, or in groups tucked into the corners of this great little drinking hole. 

The location of the pub within Victoria gives for easy access and, should you wish to avoid using the main station entrance, you can pop in on the Long Millgate entrance over the tram tracks. Whether you’re waiting for a train, or simply on the lookout for somewhere to watch the world go by, then the Victoria Tap is the spot for you. 

There was a definite warmth in the place, and not just from the body heat of a large number of punters. Friendly staff and quick service despite the busyness of the evening made it so no-one was left disappointed.