I was watching the Great British Pub Crawl on YouTube yesterday and he was visiting Liverpool. It was somewhat galling to see him do three or four pubs I've never been in. So, despite my medical difficulties (Have I mentioned my dodgy back?) I headed into town to correct the omissions. I started at the Queens Arms:
This one only opened eight days ago so I can be excused for not having ticked it yet, especially as I was in Scotland for five of those days. And, wow, they've done it again! Another wonderful job by 1936 Pubco. The main double height room is beautifully done in standard 1936 style, although they seem to have spared the sledgehammer here. I don't know how much is original but it looks great. There is a wood panelled side area plus a couple of small rooms off, and then more seating on the balcony.
I look forward to seeing what they do to Molly Malones, as far as I know it isn't open yet, but then I didn't know this one was until I saw it on YouTube.
Favourite White Rat (With CAMRA discount) was a little hazy but tasted fine, and it came in a White Rat conic. We never get the official glass in the Big House! As I drank it someone else ordered one and it ran out, so I think mine was the last pint out of the barrel. A few minutes later the clip was turned forward again as a new cask was fired up.
At one on a Saturday the place was doing a good trade but there was plenty of seating available.
Now a stroll to the other side of the city centre, to McNasty's:
This new pub has been open for a month or more but it is very hard to go in with the wonderful St Peters Tavern over the road. I resisted the temptation this time and found a very well done Irish bar with lots of dark wood panelling. Do I detect the influence of 1936 again? A stag's head and a boar's head are displayed on the bar back. 1936 or not, it's a great space.
No cask ale, I had Guinness of course.
Only four other customers when I came in, the place was pretty empty. A few more arrived as I drank.
I keep seeing Liverpool fans, but they're not playing today, what's that about?
Nearby is the Boston Pool Loft. Does it count as a bar, I wonder? Let's see:
A rather fine enormous upstairs area of an old warehouse, bare brick walls very well done out with umpteen neon signs and the like. Full, of course, of pool tables but there's a significant drinkers area by the counter, with tables and seats, so definitely in the guide. Having said that, everyone else was here to play, I was the only one who remained in the bar area to sink my Carling. The leather sofa looked tempting but with my back (Have I told you about ...) I wasn't sure I could get up from it!
There were plenty of people in here, although not every pool table was occupied, so plenty of room for more. I don't know how playing works, presumably you have to pay to play? Ah, yes, I saw some people come in and go to a counter at the end of the bar to pay for their games.
As I looked around I realised some were playing table tennis.
On the big telly Everton lost the (woman's) derby 2-3.
Where next? Black Cat's city centre outlet has never been ticked, so how about that one:
Four handpumps and one of them offers Bass. I may have mentioned before the unwritten rule of pub researching: If they've got Bass you have to choose it. So I did.
A contemporary bar on two floors, this, fairly empty at three I'm afraid, hopefully it does well later. My Bass was spot on but I was almost sorry not to try the Thornbridge brew they had on as well.
Visiting here, and the YouTube video, reminded me I haven't done the Black Cat on Rose Lane since they took over the former Pi/Haul. In my database it is not yet due for a visit because I don't consider name nor ownership changes.
Four pints, four new pubs, time for home even though it's only three o'clock. I'm playing trains next Saturday so maybe no survey.
Beer of the day: Bass
Miles walked: 2.0
Maybe coming soon: Undecided
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