The Waiting Room in County Durham

This would be a super bar anywhere in town. That it is at Durham station is a huge plus for train travellers. There was a good beer choice and I really enjoyed the Session IPA from Almasty which was my first beer from this brewery. I'm keen to try more! Durham is a great day out on the train that is made better by this station bar.

I just love Station bars and this one is a little belter. Not a massive selection of beers but enough to please everyone and all on good form and well pulled. Worth a visit.

The Waiting Room is an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the friendliest staff who made me feel right at home. The service was impressively quick, yet never rushed, ensuring that everyone had exactly what they needed in no time. The drink selection is outstanding, offering a wide variety of options that cater to every taste. Whether you're in the mood for a craft beer, a classic cider, or something a bit more unique, they've got you covered. This place is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy a great atmosphere. Highly recommend!

The lady who served us was so rude and miserable - we appreciate there was 20 mins to closing but service with a smile was certainly not on her agenda!! Despite it being near to closing time custom is custom……slamming/crashing glasses is unnecessary…ironically we were looking forward to a bit of culture and ambiance but it was sadly not to be. Perhaps the lady behind the bar is not happy in her job and instead of sharing it with customers she should seek alternative employment! Our bubble has truly been burst! 😢

Micropub on the northbound platform at Durham station. Pleasant wooden interior with real fire and large outdoor drinking area. Two local beers on handpump when we called plus craft offerings from Almasty.

Brilliant place to go for a pint whilst waiting for a train 👌

Great place for a drink before the train North or a lovely stop off if visiting Wharton Park.

Nice bar to get a beer while waiting for a train

Really beautiful old pub in the station. The only downside was over £6 for a pint of Almasty beer, I don't live in the area, so maybe this is normal but it seemed a bit steep to me. The cask that was on tap was better priced and well kept.

Great place for a good pint, when your train is 50 mins late

Great little pub on Durham station

Only 1 of the 3 hand pumps was available and that was served far too cold. The bar was also cold and the person behind the bar was rather unhospitable. It was a beautiful place but overall it was a rather disappointing experience.

I've only been to the Waiting Room once for a brief visit, but it looked like a lovely bar with a really nice atmosphere. Good selection of drinks too. I'm looking forward to visiting again.

on platform2 Durham Station. small qnd frie dltand very handy

Great wee pub to sit in while you're waiting for your train. Well decorated, and a wide variety of drinks available at a decent price point. Staff is professional and swift. The only nit pick I could raise is that they don't have a departures board inside to tell you when your delayed train is expected. You could easily lose track of time in this keen pub!

Lovely little pub while you're waiting for a train. Most of the negative reviews seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Two casks on when I visited (room for 3 normally), two local keg beers, a draught cider and a lager. All the casks and kegs locally brewed.

What a cracking bar. It started well when I entered and couldn't see anyone. It turned out Megan the manager was brassoing the foot bar around the bar. Great to see someone taking pride in their work environment. Had a half of Farne island ale and a smashing chat with Megan. Top marks and thanks

Small quite pub, ideal for a quick pint while waiting for your train

Quick pit stop while waiting for my train nice friendly girl behind the bar

Why can't all train stations have a pub like this on the platform?! Lovely little pub with craft beer 😲😊🍺...train delayed? Who cares!

Nice little bar on the platform! As usual the train service was dire on a Friday night. Not being that familiar with Durham (having travelled down for a rehearsal in the Cathedral earlier on) I did hope a pub was close by to fill in twenty minutes. There was one!! I blasted a Pennine Ale down, then blasted one through even more so when my damn train rocked up (having got a dash on it would seem). Friendly staff, not busy post 21.00 but very respectable all round. Any cons?? Bring plenty of bullion.

Thursday 11th May 2023 We visited this great real ale pub on Durham railway station What a fantastic experience, lovely atmospheric drinking place with good outdoor drinking area on the platform of the station which I'd sort of fenced off staff friendly and the ales were local/interestingly obscure and well kept This pub is well frequented and loved by the local CAMRA BRANCH AND THE PUB HAS CAMRA DISCOUNT

Nice atmosphere, good selection of beer but not the cheapest

A nice selection of beers, in comfortable environment with friendly staff.

Beautiful little addition to the busy northbound platform at Durham Station. A fine selection of wines and ales .Great staff too .

Nice little pub in the station - but a star knocked off for service without a smile and another star knocked off for the toilets being out of order.

Fantastic food beers and wine and the staff are knowledge and extremely pleasant.

Friendly. Decord good. Taxi rank outside.

Love this place. Staff are beyond welcoming. We're all friends in here!!

Friendly staff and a good looking place but too limited and expensive for soft drinks for me. £3.40 for a tiny bottle of diet coke is just too much. Better options nearby.

I visit this pub at least once a week, the staff are lovely and very chatty, the beer is always spot on. If you like train spotting it’s perfect, I’ve seen many a steam special here over the years, when it opened a few years ago I became a regular, Well recommended to start a night out in Newcastle or Durham

Lovely place to wait for the train.

Nice place to pass the time while waiting for a train but, come on Waiting Room, catch up and stock a GF beer of some description. There are plenty available from your usual suppliers!

Fabulous little bar in Durham Station. Only open a few years but looks like a victorian marvel! Great atmosphere, great beer and lovely staff! Sit outside and drink beer and watch trains and people go by! Great stuff!

Went to go in for a drink as our train was delayed there was no body in the pub so tried to speak to the lady working behind the bar and she was very rude and unsociable we had no option but to walk out. Very disappointed

It was ok, just popped in waiting for the train - girl behind the bar was really friendly

Was refused entry. Don't no why but I'll keep my money prices are sky high anyway

Lovely couple of drinks at the Waiting room as always. It's our local and would recommend x

Small, one bar pub actually situated on the platform at Durham train station. Only one real ale on when I visited but that was in great condition, obviously can't keep a large range in these difficult times.

All station pubs have got to be judged against the excellent Sheffield tap. Even though we came to Durham by car we had a steady walk up and found it to be very good. Although there's not too many on tap ours was a lovely pint. It's nice inside with good seating, but what makes it is the excellent outside area which is fully covered. The staff were very friendly.

Laid back and relaxed atmosphere with friendly staff.

Love the waiting room, over the last year had turned into my local having a pint of two whilst waiting for the train on my commute home and the staff are very friendly and welcoming

Very good and excellent service, opening time was 12 but they opened at 11 so we could get a pint, then I got a fly in my pint, went to buy another and got it foc(unbelievable), very pleasant and polite people and definitely worth a visit, shame I don't carry much cash so could only leave a couple of £ tip Top of the league in their group,

Much better place to sit and wait for your train. The beer wasn't bad either!!

Had a walk around Durham and a good meal after doing XMAS shopping, called in whilst waiting 4 train,cosy bar good assortment of beers,sitting room on station U can relax have a few drinks and watch the train's go by,

They have good beers (including Allendale), fast service and plenty of seats. You can't really ask for more from a station bar.

Lovely restoration job on an old waiting or tea room that's now a bar

Great little pub on the platform with real ales. Staff are friendly and it's very warm in the winter!

Friendly lovely barman. Pint was lovely

Great choice of drinks and fantastic service

Friendly staff and good choice of drinks

Nice place with good ales. Just a little pricey.

Nice addition to the station. However prices are a bit steep.

A beautiful little place to watch the world go by. Dog friendly and a good choice of beers

Great gin selection - far better than a lot of traditional bars...with the benefit of allowing you to kill time before your train. Only snack food though - 5 stars if they serve more meaningful food...

Great little pub right on the platform. There is a good selection of beer and I've never had a bad pint. The covered outdoor area means you can finish your pint just as your train pulls into the station! If you're traveling north then you must visit!

Nice micropub on the station at Durham. 2 ales on when we called, 3 handpumps. Only downside, music playing.

A nice little place to have a drink whilst waiting for the train. Every time I visit the staff are so lovely

Great selection of gins and dog friendly!

Brilliant pub with nice, chilled friendly staff, a definite recommendation.

Needed the fires on! Nice selection of beers.

Great experience friendly barmaid

The best way to wait for a train

In there 50 minutes waiting for the train. Was spot on. Barman/owner present and was friendly and approachable. Nice start to weekend.

Decent little bar. Good ale selection. Worth a quick one

Nice train station pub. Friendly staff.

If your train is delayed this is the place for you.

Good place for a pint while waiting for a train.

Good atmosphere love the Christmas tree

A great bar on platform 2 of Durham railway station (also accessible via the street). Lots of beers from local breweries and a nice atmosphere for drinking or waiting for your train. Fast service too!

A fabulous little place with great beers and sooo close to the station.

Good beers. Crackin staff, Ehren was superb.

A bar right on platform 2 (northbound).

Great place, welcoming host and very very fine ales on offer from a good range of great breweries. Mcolls Blood Orange IPA particularly recommended. Join CAMRA and get 5% off yer ales!

A great place for a pint while waiting for your train but also good just to visit in itself. Nice staff a good choice of drinks. Recommended

Such a nice place, made for durham. Good choice of beers that change weekly or when they run out. Defo worth a visit even if your not waiting for a train.

It's about time Durham station had a bar

I really enjoy this little place last week. The ale is kept really well, tasted great and the team gave me a warm and friendly welcome. I'll happily sit here for a good hour or two before the train arrives!!

A very pleasant bar for starting off or finishing a trip to Durham . Good choice of well kept ales & friendly polite staff .

Friendly staff, nice selection of beers.

A great addition to durham Station only complaint no tv during World Cup

Absolutely brilliant spot. Bring the kids. Bring the dog. Bring the hedgehogs. Great gin. Great atmosphere. Graeme was brilliant. Summer was top class. Would recommend to anybody with at least one chromosome.

Nice choice of beers friendly staff good location