Lucifers is the smallest pub in Stockton-on-Tees. The town has several micropubs but none of the others are as tiny as Lucifers. It a cosy establishment that serves a selection of quality cask ales. If you are in the area, it’s an interesting place to go and have a drink. I’ve drunk in pubs all over Europe and Lucifers is the smallest pub I’ve ever seen.
If the term micropub is new to you, don’t worry. I was in the same boat. According to the Micropub Association, “A micropub is a small freehouse which listens to its customers, mainly serves cask ales, promotes conversation, shuns all forms of electronic entertainment and dabbles in traditional pub snacks”.
Lucifers micropub is one of the newer bars in Stockton-on-Tees. It opened in December 2018. The following Autumn, Lucifers won a CAMRA Award for Pub of the Season Autumn 2019. When a pub wins a CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) award you can be sure it’s serving some very good beer.
Lucifers is an unusual name. However, if you think Stockton’s smallest micropub takes its name from the Devil you have guessed wrong. Lucifers is actually named after the first friction match. Early matches were often known as lucifers.
The pub’s name is not a random choice. There’s a local connection. Friction matches were invented by a Stockton Chemist called John Walker. He created his first friction match in 1826 and began selling them from his shop in Stockton the following year. [John Walker & The Match]
Although Lucifers micropub is named after the Stockton chemist’s creation, the building the pub is situated in has no connection with John Walker.
Walker was born 104 High Street, Stockton. His shop was further down the High Street at number 59. Lucifers is situated in Green Dragon Yard, very close to the Green Dragon pub and the Georgian Theatre.
Although Lucifers only has a very limited seating capacity there are some extra seats outside. If you are looking for your first micropub experience or want to say you’ve visited the smallest pub in Stockton-on-Tees, Lucifers is the place to go. [DIRECTIONS]
However, if you want to take a look at John Walker’s first friction match, you need to visit Stockton’s Preston Park Museum, where the match is on display. The museum also has a recreation of Stockton High Street in Victorian times. John Walker’s Chemist shop is one of the buildings you will find there. It’s not a model. It’s a real street. You can walk up and down it, gaze in the windows, and get an idea of how much things have changed. [DIRECTIONS]
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