BarChick loves the train; no need to stick to two drinks, phones are allowed, no traffic, and if you're lonely, there's the chance to meet lots of new friends down in the buffet cart. That said, us Brits are known for our delays, but with this guide to bars near the stations, you'll never mind a delay again, in fact, you might even want to catch a later train...

Waterloo

If you are on your way over the Waterloo Bridge to the station, then make a worthy detour to Skylon bar for a killer cocktail complete with incredible views of The Thames. Only seven minutes walk to the station, it’s the perfect calm before the madness of rush hour. Terrace now open - Belvedere Rd, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1 8XX

If you wanna go "out-out" but still catch the last train home, make your end-of-the-night pit-stop Tonight Josaphine on Waterloo Road. It's round the corner from the station so you can go from finishing your cocktail and snapping a selfie in front of *that* neon sign to strutting down the platform to your train in less than 10 minutes. Now taking bookings from the 17th of May - 111 Waterloo Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8UL

If you're at the station head upstairs to Cabin, it's an Orient Express style carriage that's been fashioned into a bar. Settle in at the marble top bar or sink into a Chesterfield. There's a self-service wine machine and great cocktails. Opening 17th May - 18, Waterloo Station, Waterloo Rd, South Bank, London SE1 8SF

Blackfriars

One of the coolest stations in London (it's literally on a bridge over the Thames) with a few of the best bars in London for its neighbour. Strut your way 5 minutes along the south bank of the river to hit up Lyaness, the 29th on the list of the World's 50 Best bars. Grab a seat in the window and you'll be able to watch the trains roll in and out of the station while you sip on one of Lyaness' world-famous cocktails made with their Willy Wonker'esque ingredients (never had Onyx in your drink before? Nows the time) Reopening in May - 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE1 9PD

On the pull? Guaranteed success can be found at The Thirsty Bear just 6 minutes from the station... but only cos this is a pub where you can literally pull your own pints. With a beer tap at your table, you just hook up your credit card to the table's iPad and it'll charge you for the liquid you add to your class. You can also build your own burger while watching whatever game is on (there's always a game on) - the future is here, lads, and we're living in it. Reopening in May - 62 Stamford Street, London SE1 9LX

Exited the station on the North-side of the river? You're in City territory now, baby. Plenty of pubs knocking about around here, but if you want something a little different, the City of London Distillery has its own killer cocktail bar that overlooks the copper stills that bubble away to make their gin, and it's only a 4 minute walk away. Bookings being taken from 21st May - 22-24 Bride Ln, London EC4Y 8DT

Paddington

There was a time when the best Paddington had to offer was a Yo Sushi belt (RIP) and a series of sub-par neighbourhood pubs filled with lonely businessmen. But over the last few years, Paddington has seen a glow-up, especially down by the canal basin, so if you're chilling down that way, bee-line towards Lockhouse for some cool pub vibes (with plenty of alfresco seating) or tap up Vagabond Wines for a few sample size glasses of vino before choosing a bottle to go all the way with. Both open for terrace drinking - Merchant Square, Paddington, London W2 1JZ / Sheldon Square, London, W2 6EZ

Looking for a space to hit with your colleagues before that commute back to the 'burbs? Pergola Paddington is the covered alfresco dining spot that can cater to bigger groups (however big the government allows) whatever the weather. Now open - 4 Kingdom St, London W2 6PY

King’s Cross & St Pancras

Catching an early train and rocked up early enough to grab a coffee? Swerve Pret and treat yourself to a cuppa from Le Cafe Alain Ducasse. This is one bouji coffee shop - you can literally spend £15 on just one cup (which for London standards is probably about right tbh), but this is a cafe from a man who has three Michelin stars, so what dya expect? Try pairing a cup with one of the fresh madeleines baked on-site, or pick up a few Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse chocolates for your journey outta the Big Smoke. You'll thank yourself later. Available for takeaway - Unit 16, Bagley Walk Arches, N1C 4DH

With Coal Drops Yard a 12-minute walk from St Pancras, there's plenty of joints nearby for a drink before jumping on your train, but you don't even need to go that far, as German Gymnasium is a couple of steps from the station entrance and serves up a glossy menu of cocktails and some fly dishes from their kitchen. Outdoor terrace now open - 1 King's Blvd, Kings Cross, London N1C 4BU

Even if you find yourself cutting it close for time at the end of the day, The Booking Office bar is literally inside St Pancras, so grab a quick punch and a handful of veggie crisps, or just grab one of their English Ales to go and you're on your way in minutes. Or if you're jetting off to Paris, get that French feeling early by hitting up The Champagne Bar at St Pancras by Searcys, with leather-lined banquettes and "press for champagne" buttons to summon a chilled glass (or bottle) of Veuve Clicquot. Ding dong! The Booking Office will reopen in May / The Champagne Bar is open now - St Pancras International, Kings Cross, London N1C 4QL

Victoria Station

Victoria isn't really an area you're likely to hang out in unless you're hitting up the theatre or planning on popping in for tea with The Queen, but that doesn't mean they haven't catered for an eating and drinking sesh . If you don't wanna veer too far from your platform, a 2-minute quick walk over the road will get you to Market Hall Victoria, which has a cool terrace for a bit of outdoor dining with a load of food and drink choices from a bunch of bad-ass vendors. We're all about the Reuben Sandwiches from Monty's Deli. Oh mamma. Opening May 19th - 191 Victoria St, Westminster, London SW1E 5NE

If you're up for going a little further (like, a minute further), trot over the road to NOVA and grab a table outside the Rail House Cafe. With heaters on hand to keep the chill away, get involved with their famous brunch menu on a weekend, including signature Buttermilk pancakes with berry compote cream; or rock up for dinner and enjoy their menu of skewers and hearty bowls. Open now for outside dining -  8 Sir Simon Milton Square, Westminster, London SW1E 5DJ

Liverpool Street

For a sneaky underground drink before boarding, hotfoot it six minutes from Liverpool St, duck into the Breakfast Club and then sneak through the Smeg fridge and downstairs into London's cutest speakeasy, The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town. Cocktails are their thang, and their DIY Bloody Marys are legendary. Reopening in May - 12-16 Artillery Ln, Spitalfields, London E1 7LS

If a stiff drink is what you're after before a long journey to wherever, Black Rock is a 6-minute walk away and serves up several epic floors of whisky; with a dark sultry basement for laid-back dram sipping; a ground-floor Black Rock Tavern with chill Japanese izakaya vibes and a focus on highballs; a cool blending room for the whisky education experience above that, and then (in case you miss that last train home) a set of ultra-cool lodgings provisioned with king-size beds, smart TVs, WiFi, shower & loos. Reopening in May - 9 Christopher Street, London, EC2A 2BS

Clapham Junction

You’d be mistaken if you thought Clapham J was all about Wetherspoons, kebab shops and a myriad of confusing train platforms. There's a lot of that sh*t. But there's also some decent watering holes a short walk away if you need to decompress after the long walk between your platform and the exit. 

Seven minutes walk up St John's Hill from Clapham Junction Station you'll find Colonial-esque PDK aka Powder Keg Diplomacy. Have a homemade ginger beer, or work your way through their enormous beer selection. Currently open for takeaways, reopening fully in May - 147 St John's Hill, London SW11 1TQ

Seven minutes in the other direction is one of BarChick’s fave party places. You can’t go wrong with a trip to Northcote Records for hot bar staff, epic live bands and a party-hard crowd who love a good make-shift limbo. Garden tables are open in full swing now - 8-10 Northcote Rd, London SW11 1NT

Charing Cross

Before you head off on your own adventure, submerge yourself in the underground adventure basement of Mr Foggs Society of Exploration which is a quick three-minute stroll from the station. With wanderlust inspired cocktails and a god-damn mechanical Negroni making machine churning out the goods that you can then drink in a replica train cabin, the real thing can wait. Reopening in May - 1A Bedford St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9HH

Ever been on a Tinder date? Then we'd bet our entire booze collection you've already been to Gordon's Wine Bar. Yeah, it's always rammed, but there's a reason: This place is an institution - the oldest wine basement in London with a killer bottle list, a cool outside terrace, romantic candlelight, and plenty of dark corners... and it's about 20 steps from Charing Cross station. Perfect for stretching a date out as long as you can before needing to head home. All aboard the love train! Open for terrace seating - 47 Villiers St, Charing Cross, London WC2N 6NE

London Bridge

There's so much going on around this station, that missing your train definitely is not the end of the world (unless it's 1am, in which case enjoy staring longingly through the window of the closed Greggs, babe)

If you're looking for a place to chill with the ultimate beer garden vibes, skip three minutes away to Vinegar Yard. Picnic tables for all your al fresco chilling are surrounded by top food vendors, plus two kickass mezzanine cocktail bars. Especially good if you're with a group of mates who are all on a different foodie flex, or if you want to make an all-day sesh of it. 72-82 St Thomas St, Bermondsey, London SE1 3QX

For a swift half while you wait for the cheaper off-peak trains to roll in, The Bunch of Grapes is the kinda pub that always has people spilling out onto the pavement on a warm evening. No room out the front? Hit up the garden in the back. They've got Camden Hells on tap and TV for the sporty type things that happen. Open for outside vertical drinking - 2 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RS

Wanna go get high? We know a place. Head out the Joiner Street exit of the station and look up at the iconic skyscraper above ya. You're going 30+ storeys up that bad boy. Take your pick between Aqua, where the cocktails are glossy versions of classics and the vibe is chill; or Oblix, where they keep the cocktails simple but the flavours bold. Whichever you pick, make sure you grab a seat by the window so you can wave to that train you should be on. You ain't going anywhere anytime soon. Better order another. Reopening in May - 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG

Euston

The beer lovers’ haven that is The Euston Tap right outside Euston Station is not to be missed. Set in a stone lodge, it's small but perfectly formed so settle in for some pints, but be warned: the spiral staircase can be lethal when drunk or if attempted with your wheelie bag. Reopening in May - 190 Euston Road, London, NW1 2EF

Neon, Kitsch and cheap. The Simmons bar formula has everything you want for passing the time when your train has been cancelled due to leaves on the track. With a 5-hour long Happy Hour including bottles of beer for £2.50 and 2 cocktails for a tenner, you'll soon think better about composing that angry tweet to National Rail and just let the good times roll. Reopening in May - 31 University St, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 6JL