If the police aren't being a bit heavy handed and herding people onto buses outside the station then head to the BOD bar actually on the station, platform 1 - https://stoke.bodcafebars.co.uk/#about . You can get into it from the outside too. Great selection of beers and a really nice friendly place. From there get a taxi to the ground. If you want to experience the fun of the potteries then get the bus outside the station and head into Hanley. There is a couple of pubs like Spoons/Lloyds next to each other as well as a few other slightly rougher bars a short walk away.