Clearly my FOMO and consequent monitoring of local events is not working because when I arrived at Huyton station I was startled to find it and the train were packed with Everton fans. Has the footie started already? The internet soon informed me that it is a friendly, the final test event for the new stadium. Once the train from Central got to Sandhills it emptied out, and I proceeded as planned to Crosby town centre.
Or, at least, most of the way there. As I approached I spotted what could possibly be a bar I've never heard of. Round Eight:
And indeed it is. Concentrating on wine and cocktails, but with eight keg taps offering a good range of beers many of which I'd never heard of. I should have had something new but instead I stayed safe and boring with Paulaner.
The bare brick, rough wood, and dark green tiling make for a very attractive interior.
Only one other customer, who was sitting at the counter and chatting with the barman, later they were joined by another regular, and then four more came in, not bad for two on a Saturday.
Continuing on my planned course, I headed for ... Oh, but wait, here's another one I've never heard of, Winners Wine Bar:
In here I found a plain but well done shop conversion, bigger than it at first appeared with a back room off to the side.
From the array of standard keg brews I selected Shipyard.
In the back room were a number of people enjoying fish and chips, creating a hunger inducing smell throughout the place! There were also seven of us in the front room, so the place was ticking over nicely.
Can I finally reach a planned tick? Yes, Murphy's Tavern:
This used to be Blue's bar, but it doesn't look the same inside, so have I got that wrong? What we have here is a very attractive open room with gentle Irish theming. In line with the theme I had Guinness. Not packed but ticking over well at nearly three.
The menu of pub standards looks rather good, and well priced.
My recollections of Blue include a pizza oven, but I can't see that now. The more I look around the more I think it's not the same place? Or perhaps they've just totally gutted and redone the space. Studying my photos and notes when I got home showed that the former Sports Bar side has now been split off as a coffee shop. And there was, indeed, an open kitchen with a pizza oven.
Immediately beside Murphy's is a little door labelled McNamara's Sports Bar, so I entered and climbed the stairs to find a surprisingly large pool hall, with just a few customers paying pool and also darts. I'm not sure if you are supposed to play, but the barman seemed happy to sell me a pint of Carling so I'm getting the tick!
Of the half a dozen customers at just after three, I was the only one not participating, but there are a few tables and chairs near the counter for us drinkers.
Next, maybe another new one I didn't know existed, what is Piloto Lounge?
I hesitated for a moment at the "Please wait to be seated" sign and was quickly captured by a friendly waitress. "Can I just come in for a drink?" I asked, "Yes of course, order at the bar" was the welcoming reply.
So, moments later I was enjoying a pint of Cruzcampo in a quiet corner of the busy restaurant.
I examined the menu, I must say it looks rather good.
I rather like the decor in here, bare bricks and naked beams with umpteen old lampshades makes for a quirky fun style.
All the unexpected new ones have rather messed up my plans, and there are three more overdue ticks around here, one of which is just round the corner. Maybe I should tick six? After all, it's only a quarter to four. (I would like to head for home before the footie kicks out)
OK, Larkins it is:
A down market but still spotlessly clean and tidy boozer to finish my Crosby survey, I think the Endbutt and the Edinburgh will have to wait until next time.
All except me were clearly regulars who knew each other and the friendly barmaid.
I sat at the back of the small room, and enjoyed my pint of Carling while all the locals chatted and ignored me.
Remarkably, they managed to fit a pool table into the tiny room. No one was playing while I was there.
A sign over the servery says the name of the bar is in memory of the late Keith Larkin. I can't think of a greater honour than that, what a fine tribute. Maybe in the future you'll be drinking in the Merseypub Arms? Or even the Phil Wieland Hotel? Somehow I doubt it!
Six ticks, four new to me (Total now 1,566), that's more than enough for a day out - Time for home...
Beer of the day: Paulaner
Miles walked: 1.8
Maybe coming soon: Southport
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