Not a proper research trip today, in fact I wasn't planning on going out at all. But, checking my stats yesterday I noticed I've done 1,599 Merseyside pubs in total. As the new edition of the book will be ready soon I decided I needed at least one more tick before I publish.
So, on a warm sunny Thursday afternoon I headed to Bramley Moore Dock for a visit to Everton's new stadium.
I had to have my bag searched to get in the building (I think this is the only pub where that has happened.) and then it was up an escalator and I was in the Trinity Place Bar, tick number 1,600.
What a massive space, almost totally deserted at one o'clock. Once the tour group had departed there were only about ten customers in this enormous space.
I ordered a pint of Camden Pale which cost £6.95.
I assume this place will be buzzing on a match day, but now it's rather soul-less. There aren't even any external windows, I had rather hoped for a view of the pitch. As I left I found there were a few doorways into the stand through which I could see the pitch. Thinking about it, the big windows overlooking the pitch that I had imagined would of course be impossible because there are seats in the way.
Goodness knows how many staff it takes to run this operation. There seemed to be a number of security people roaming around, plus a barmaid and presumably someone in the kitchen in case a pizza is ordered. On the other hand, when the tour finishes there will probably be forty customers drinking and eating.
Now what? Well, there is another never visited bar not that far away, although the two and a half mile walk did feel a bit gruelling. (I spent part of this morning climbing up and down a ladder - My satellite telly is fixed but it can't be good for my ankles!)
Eventually I reached the other football ground where I quickly headed for the Kop Bar:
Just like the Trinity Place, this is the one bar open in the stadium on non match days, but unlike at Everton there was no security palaver.
Much smaller than the Everton one and with lots more people in, but not so full that I couldn't find a table. I noticed, and ignored, the sign saying tables are for dining guests only - It wasn't so busy that diners would have to stand.
Certainly lots more people than at Everton, and many of my fellow customers seemed to be foreign tourists. I suppose that's down to the difference between the clubs' fanbases.
What should I do now? My dodgy ankle (Have I told you about my dodgy ankle?) was feeling a bit painful, so maybe it's time for an Uber. Otherwise it's a mile to the bus home. The weather has changed to very grey overcast, if it starts to rain that'll make my decision for me! In fact I caught a bus immediately outside the stadium, so Uber lost out this time.
No survey on Saturday as I will be at the Wigan Beer Festival. And tomorrow I'm visiting Manchester which will hopefully involve a mini pub crawl. No wonder I'm below my ticking target!
Beer of the day: Shipyard
Miles walked: 2.8
Maybe coming soon: Undecided
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