Beverages, Bars & Breweries of the North

Manchester: The home of Vimto

Did you know that Manchester is the home of Vimto? The bubbly and fruity beverage reflects the city’s vivacious personality. It all began in 1908 when ‘Vimtonic’ was born in central Manchester, and the recipe is still a secret today! The city even has a dedicated Vimto Monument that you can find in Vimto Park (of course)!

So Vimto fans, you know what to do… Grab your Northern advance ticket to save up to 60% on your travel and head down to Vimto Park to have a Vimto brew - and if you’re looking for an even more engaging experience - there are plenty of food tours that will take you there too.

Fancy a Vimto cocktail instead? Blinker Bar is only a 13-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly. Listed among Britain's top 50 spots for liquor and mixology, it offers an array of unique seasonal pours and a delicious Vimto Shandy!

Plus, only a 19-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly, you'll also find The Liquor Store. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, the award-winning bar offers excellent atmosphere and live music events. Choose from two delicious and fruity Vimto cocktails, Laid and Basket Case, whichever you pick – each is sure to satisfy.

Looking for more non-alcoholic bevvies that hail from Manchester? Try Cloudwater Brew Co.'s low and alcohol free range, their tap room is just a 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly.

York: For the perfect tea

Yorkshire wouldn’t be Yorkshire without the tea! Warm, malty, and comforting, York's the perfect place to enjoy this national favourite. Yorkshire Tea began in the 70s and has been going strong ever since, offering a variety of blends. Plus, did you know it’s designed specifically for UK water? This way you can enjoy a full-flavoured brew every time.

If you’re looking for a “proper brew” there are some great places to enjoy a hot cup, just a short distance from York Train Station.

The Perky Peacock, a small, family-owned coffee shop, café, and bar, is located just a 6-minute walk away in one of York’s oldest buildings! With a warm and cosy atmosphere, it’s a great little nook to get in from the cold and enjoy a malty Yorkshire brew along with a selection of cakes, pastries and savoury items.

Also a small family-owned business and located just an 8-minute walk from York Station, Brew & Brownie is perfect for tea and chocolate lovers; enjoy your Yorkshire brew alongside a slice of delicious brownie or cake.

For a touch of luxury, visit Betty’s Tea Room, which opened in York in 1937. The café’s interior was inspired by the RMS Queen Mary, creating the perfect atmosphere to enjoy an afternoon tea! Take the whole family for less with our family ticket.

Newcastle: For the ale

Newcastle has a thriving craft beer scene with plenty of microbreweries! Newcastle Brown Ale is perhaps one of the best known, brewed in Newcastle using a blend of pale and caramel malt that gives it its unique flavour.

Try this Newcastle brew for yourself at one of Newcastle's iconic bars, such as The Mad House on Pink Street! A 3-minute walk from  Newcastle train station and as brightly decorated as the cocktails they serve, The Mad House is a great place to toast a Newcastle Brown Ale with friends.

Be At One is also nearby, 4-minute's walk from Newcastle station. The lively city-centre bar is great for stopping into if you plan to explore the city. Serving both Newcastle Brown Ale and an array of cocktails, it offers 2-for-1 happy hours, a vibrant atmosphere, and live music.

Featuring a tavern and a botanical garden, Colonel Porter’s Emporium offers immaculate vibes and even has a secret disco room that you can hire for special occasions. With a range of funky décor and brilliant bartenders, it’s yet another excellent place to enjoy a Newcastle Brown Ale in style and is just 9-minutes from Newcastle Station. Plan your trip ahead, and save up to 60% with an advance ticket.

Blackpool: For the gin

Blackpool is known for its Blackpool Rock Gin. Made with ten botanicals and subtly sweet, it’s inspired by and made with Blackpool Rock candy, with each batch handcrafted and labelled locally!

Head on down to a bar like Bloom Bar near Blackpool Pleasure Beach to try it for yourself or source some from a local stockist to enjoy on the beach.

Bloom Bar is located at the end of Blackpool’s North Pier, offering gorgeous beachside views. Featuring luxurious décor, it’s the perfect chic setting for a girl’s brunch, and a bottle of Blackpool Rock Gin makes the perfect accompaniment!

Leeds: Vodka and mixer

According to past studies, vodka is one of the top chosen tipples in Leeds, and why wouldn’t it be? Home to a Britvic factory bottling international names like Pepsi Max, Tango, 7UP, and J2O – you’ll never have to worry about having access to a good mixer. 

But where to enjoy your classy tipple? How about a unique bar like the Bootlegger! This speakeasy-style cocktail bar is a 6-minute walk from Leeds train station and offers vintage 1930s vibes. Serving up a range of craft cocktails and jazz music, it’s perfect for a date night or relaxed evening out. 

Rita's Beer Hall & Ballroom offers another unique location. Known for its massive 24-inch pizzas, leopard-print pool tables, alcoholic slushies, and special events like its Margarita Movie Nights and Stardust Saturday's – it has a great range of mixers on offer and even a vodka-based iced tea. 

Verve is an independent bar known for its rock ‘n’ roll vibes, also just a short walk from Leeds train station. Offering live music, comedy nights, mariachi bar, it’s often acknowledged for its fun and lively atmosphere. With plenty to see at this iconic bar, it’s a great place to enjoy a vodka and mixer on a Friday night with friends.

Sheffield: For an array of locally brewed bevvies

Sheffield is home to a number of independent breweries offering IPAs, Gins, NEIPAs, stouts, and pale ales. Pay them a visit and support locally crafted brews that hail from the North!

Triple Point Brewery are an independent brewery and taproom only a 4-minute walk from Sheffield train station. Open from 12pm daily, it's the perfect place to enjoy a fresh pint straight from the tank. With 15 beer lines, you're sure to find a drink for you, from crisp lagers to smooth stouts. Hop on the train with a friend for less using our duo ticket and try them today!

Locksley Distilling Co. is another independent artisan gin distillery and is just a 19-minute walk from Sheffield Station. The distillery offers a range of fun experiences sure to make your weekend interesting! From tastings to cocktail-making classes, pay them a visit for a day out in the North to remember. 

Kelham Island Brewery is Sheffield’s oldest independent and developed the award-winning Pale Rider beer. Take the Kelham Island Food & Beer tour and try some for yourself.
 

Lancaster: For the Northern root beer

Sarsaparilla, also known as "Sass" is a legendary drink in Lancashire and the North West. Made from the root of the Sarsaparilla plant, blended with liquorice and ginger, it's essentially a Northern root beer! It was originally sold in temperance bars, which were part of the North's historic temperance drink scene, whereby many workers in industrial towns took a pledge to avoid alcohol, generating a rise in alternative botanical brews.

Looking to try this non-alcoholic, quintessentially Northern bevvie? You can buy it in most supermarkets or visit the North's last remaining original Temperance Bar, Mr. Fitzpatrick's in Rawtenstall, Lancashire. While it's a bit further out, it's a key part of the North's vast history and heritage, reachable via a combination of train and bus from multiple destinations.

Plus, no matter where you are in the North, you can always order some from the bar's online shop straight to your door.

Carlisle: Beer, beer, beer

Yet another hotspot for beer (yes, we love it in the North) Carlisle offers plenty of local brews to try. From tasty taprooms where you can enjoy it fresh from the source to bars full of character where you can sit back and enjoy a good blether with friends.

Only a 6-minute walk from Carlisle Station, the West Walls Tap Room is great for a day out with a total of 12 craft drinks to try, including craft beers and real ale. Plus, if you'd like to bring someone who isn't a beer fan, the tap room also has local gin, wine, soft drinks and handmade pizza!

Carlisle Brewing Co. is an independent brewery and the first in Carlisle since 1987. Brewing a range of beers which they call "proper beer for people who love rich flavours", they opened their pub, The Spinners Arms, in 2007, which offers an array of brews on tap. 

One of Carlisle's highest-rated bars, you're sure to be in for a good time at Crown Lane Cellar. With themed sections such as an area lined with funky zebra prints, a library-themed corner, and a colourful and cosy beer garden - Crown Lane Cellar is a great place to enjoy a pint with friends and get some great pics while in Carlisle. 

Looking for a no or low alcohol option? Mawson's soft drinks are brewed in Cumbria and can be found in a variety of locations, including Windermere. 

Northumberland: for the tonic

Crafted in Northumberland, Marlish tonics are a series of tonics designed to be enjoyed both with and without alcohol. Delicious alone or added to gin, there's a range of flavours to choose from such as Brazilian orange, elderflower, and raspberry. Created with water from Northumberland's National Park, you can find it in a variety of locations such as farm shops, certain restaurants and independents. 

Nottingham: Beers and ales

You'll never have to wonder where to find a great beer or ale in Nottingham! You could spend days here, simply exploring all of the incredible breweries. These three are all a 21-minute walk or less from a Northern train station, making enjoying your Northern brew and getting home a breeze!

Located only a 12-minute walk from Nottingham train station, Magpie Brewery's tap room offers a range of delicious craft beers such as Thieving Rogue, Rave Stout, and Cherry Raven. 

Neon Raptor Brewing Room is also just a 15-minute walk from the nearest train station, serving fresh locally brewed beer from a total of 12 taps. Plus, you can get 10% off select drinks 6-8pm every Thursday. 

The Liquid Light Brewing Company is only a 21-minute walk away, and not only do they serve their own brews, but they also stock a full range of spirits and mixers from micro producers. Brewery tours are available by booking and include a guided tasting session and (just like on our trains) dogs are welcome!

                                       Discover your next favourite Northern Brew

Northern like us and you, these brews, breweries, tours, and beverages in the North are sure to provide a great experience. Travelling with a partner or friend? Then book our duo ticket to save up to 25% off your travel, or plan ahead with an advance ticket to save up to 60%.

There's plenty to explore - why not put together your brew bucket list and visit as many as you can? After all, most are approximately only a 20-minute walk from a Northern station or less!