Tynemouth

I’m letting you into a secret this week. Tynemouth station is my favourite station on the entire network. Not because of the pubs or the fact it’s near the beach (although they are all pluses in my eyes – obviously) but I mean the actual station is my favourite – because it’s just so pretty. Despite being a Grade II listed building, it was on English Heritage’s ‘at risk’ register for buildings that need restoration in 2007 and in 2012 essential maintenance was completed whist still keeping most of its original features. The station is also home to a weekly market and lots of local businesses meaning there’s always something interesting at any given day.

We were torn as to what to include on the WBMT because within a short walk of the station is a plethora of drinking establishments to choice from. This wealth of opportunity meant that we went slightly off piste and went to Porters Café and Bar which is right inside the station – as although technically not a pub, is the closest place off a train where you can get an alcoholic drink.

Porters certainly has the ‘Cosy/Casual’ vibe down to a fine art and if definitely on the café side of drinking establishments in the area however it has two pumps of draft ales on offer and wine of all 2 colours available by the glass or bottle, meaning which you’re enjoying a warm toasted ciabatta for bowl of soup, you can do so with some alcoholic accompaniment.

The décor inside is a mixture of practical sturdy wooden tables with local art on the walls and retro memorabilia dotted around the place. I absolutely loved the 50’s style Wurlitzer Jukebox in the corner – which is something I want in my mansion when I finally make millions as a professional transport network pub reviewer.

It’s probably worth mentioning that when the market is on every Saturday and Sunday Porter’s gets extremely busy therefore if you were desperate for a drink you’d probably be better of making the short walk to The Head of Steam in Tynemouth centre as a session pub Porter’s is not. However with live music in the evening and an array of delicious smells emanating from the kitchen it’s not a bad shop if you find yourself having to hang around for 20 minutes for the next train.

Contact:

Station Terrace, North Shields NE30 4RE
Web: https://en-gb.facebook.com/porterscafemusicbar/

Find out where else we’ve been on our metro adventure here