The Railway

Located just a short walk from Sale Metrolink station, the Railway is another one of Sales pseudo-‘locals’ pubs that has something to offer most people if you are willing to go beyond first impressions. A slightly more sedate drinking establishment than nearby Cape and The Kings Ransom, but no more than 30 seconds walk from the former of these two, the Railway is a locally owned and run pub under the banner of the Robinsons brewery that seems to cater for the needs of its devoted locals, but which is also doing much to attract a wider audience. The last two times I have been there, besides offering a number of rather tasty guest beers, impromptu entertainment has also been on offer, the first time in the form of a Karaōke night (the main participants in which seemed to be males over the age of 50, inexplicably singing songs that for the most part required strained falsetto voices), and subsequently a poker night that was part of one of the on-​line poker leagues that are currently proliferating in the UK. In both cases, it was nice to be able to enjoy quality beer in slightly dated but rigorously themed décor (unsurprisingly mostly consisting of pictures of trains) and to passively enjoy the entertainment.
Bar food is available and covered smoking areas provided at the front and back of the pub, with music piped outside to keep the smoking clientele entertained. A darts board is also provided in a small room off the main bar, and small local bands have been known to perform there. So abundant entertainment for all then!
In summary, if taken at face value the Railway is a ‘nice little pub’ for a casual drink or two midweek. It won’t eclipse most bars in the area for weekend entertainment, but I doubt that this bothers the proprietors as I would imagine that most weekends they are booked up and busy with 60^th Birthday Buffets and Ruby Wedding Anniversaries… And good luck to them!