Merseyside Pub Guide

Down Market in Kirkby

2012-02-18T22:06:00.004Z

The rain had stopped by 11:30 this morning so I headed out for a bus to Kirkby. (We've got no trains at Huyton this weekend, for electrification works.) The bus ride earned me an unexpected bonus when I spotted a brand new pub, the Copper Pot, on the East Lancs Road at the top of Knowsley Village. Pub number 1,756 in the guide, one to visit next time I'm in the area.

Arriving at Kirkby I started in the Wetherspoon's Gold Balance where I enjoyed a pint of Cotleigh's Barn Owl - very nice - in the usual Wetherspoon's surroundings. The toilets here are well overdue for refurbishment.

The weather was now bright sunshine as I headed down market and away from the centre into the vast council estates that make up this town, aiming for unexplored territory - The three pubs on Whitefield Drive. First came the Johnny Todd. I crunched through the broken glass on the pavement and entered a plain well cared for open interior with grubby wood panelling on the bar front. No sign of anyone behind the bar, until one of the locals shouted on my behalf. No chance of any real ale, of course, so I had a pint of Carling. The place was pretty empty, with just a few regulars sat at the bar chatting. Something you don't see very often nowadays, the pub has an off-licence attached.

By the way, Johnny Todd is an old sea shanty, an arrangement of which was used as the theme tune for Z-Cars, some of which was filmed in Kirkby. It is also the signature tune of Everton Football Club.

The next pub on this road is the Fantail. Another standard council estate pub looking a little tatty inside and out. It retains the traditional two room bar and lounge layout and as always I arrived in the empty half. The only indoor connection between the two is via the gents, so I nipped through and ordered another Carling. The "busy" side of the pub had about half a dozen customers in, watching two different racing channels on the TVs and popping out to put a bet on every now and then. The heating was apparently out of action, so I kept my coat on. Leaving by the other door, I discovered another thing you don't see very often now - the pub has a bookie's built in.

The final pub of the day was the Mariners, a third example of the council estate boozer, but this one's a bit nicer - definitely the best of the three, with a spotless well maintained comfortable interior which has been knocked through into one room. I had a pint of Guinness for a change, and the pub filled up with footie fans while I settled down to watch the build up to the Everton match on the large screen, courtesy of Al Jazeera! I headed for home once Everton were two nil up.

Three pubs never visited before, taking the total to 1,120, plus one new one discovered, is an excellent score for a day out, and it's nice to see that the down market end of the business alive and well.

Prescot

2012-02-11T19:28:00.003Z

I braved the chilly weather this afternoon and headed out for a survey of a few pubs in Prescot, starting with the Grapes up on St Helens Road. This old-looking building with a pleasant interior with some dark wood panelling doesn't seem to have changed at all since I last visited, some fourteen years ago. I nearly missed the two hand pumps which were hidden round the corner, but found them just in time and had a good pint of Bombardier. The place was completely deserted when I arrived, but there was a gradual trickle of customers arriving as I drank my beer. Most seemed to have come for the food - "Fayre and Square" is a new one on me, but the menu looks the same as all the other pub food chains.

Next, a short walk to the Wellington, another pub which doesn't seem to have changed since I was last there, in 1998. Once again I found two hand pumps, and I had a spot on pint of Sharp's Doom Bar. Everyone was watching the "sport" on the telly, which seemed to involve a some spoiled brats throwing tantrums because one of them had refused to shake another's hand. I think there was probably some football involved as well, but the half time analysis was all about the non-handshake so perhaps I'm mistaken.

In to Prescot centre next, for a visit to the new Wetherspoon's Watch Maker. Here I enjoyed a good pint of something I've now forgotten in comfortable modern surroundings. That's a first visit for me, number 1,117.

The Deanes House is an enormous house converted into a multi-room pub. I was pleased to discover they've gained real ale - at least to some degree - the Brains IPA was unavailable so I had Brains Dark which was excellent. The place had suddenly emptied because of the end of the match, and I sat down to watch more replays, comments and interviews about shaking hands on the big screen.

The Book Updated

2012-02-10T12:06:00.005Z

An updated edition of the Merseyside Pub Guide book went on sale today.

Its 225 pages are packed with information about no less than 1,756 pubs.

You can buy a copy direct from the printers for just seven quid plus postage and packing - A bargain indeed!

A Contrast In Town

2012-01-11T13:06:00.004Z

Time to donate blood again, so in between some non beer related visits I did a couple of pubs, starting with the wonderful Ship & Mitre on Dale Street. There isn't really much to say about this place, it just carries on supplying a superb range of real ales and imported beers, as always - Long may they continue. By the way, the casks for the next beer festival were on stillage, so a visit on 12th to 15th January would be even more worthwhile than usual. Not so far mentioned anywhere in my pub guide is their new bottled beer shop on Whitechapel, called the Ship in a Bottle, which opened in December.

My next port of call was a complete contrast. There's no real ale at all in the Liverpool on James Street, and it was pretty quiet on a wet Tuesday afternoon in January, as you might expect. Not much change to this friendly cheerful boozer since my last visit, in 2004 - Pleasantly decorated, with lots of pictures of the various HMS Liverpools on the walls.

Bier

2011-12-15T18:24:00.001Z

December's visit to the "vampires" provided an opportunity to try out Bier, the former Old Rope Walk on a side turning between Bold Street and Renshaw Street. In its old guise it was an ordinary street corner boozer, purveying only keg beer, decorated in standard pub style.

Bier, on the other hand, aims to specialise in beer. They have six handpumps, and I selected Ringwood Boondoggle, which was very nice. The barman had some difficulty getting anything near a pint into the dimpled mug, apologising that they're all like that today, we've just changed the gas. Hmmm. They also serve unusual draft lagers, and have a beer menu full of imported bottles.

The singular interior decoration consists of white ceramic tiles on a couple of walls, with the rest of the walls and all the woodwork painted battleship grey. Sounds awful, perhaps, but I like it.

Research in Bebington

2011-11-23T20:55:00.002Z

A quick trip across the water to examine a couple of pubs I've not visited before, starting with the Three Stags in Bebington. This turned out to be a standard member of the Ember Inns chain, doing a good lunchtime trade. They had about five handpumps and I enjoyed a pint of Thwaites' Wainwright.

Next I headed down to Lower Bebington village where I was very pleased to discover a pub I didn't even know existed, a fairly rare bonus nowadays, making The Chronicle number 1,756 in the database. A member of the Smith & Jones chain, it's another place concentrating on food but still managing a decent pint of Bombardier.

My third and final call was to Wetherspoon's John Masefield in New Ferry, a medium size member of the chain in a converted shop, serving the usual good value food and real ale. It opened in November 2007 so it's only taken me four years to get there. I had something very nice from Heywood's Phoenix Brewery.

Two In Town

2011-11-18T22:00:00.003Z

Back to Blood Donors again yesterday, so I had to replace lost fluids! I started in the Cross Keys which I haven't visited for ages. Nothing much has changed here, and it was busy with office workers on their lunchbreaks. Only one real ale was available, and I enjoyed a spot on pint of Deuchars IPA.

I needed to visit the Chinese supermarket on Upper Duke Street (Unfortunately they were out of Erguotou.) so a good opportunity to go to the Grapes on Knight Street, another one I haven't been in for a few years. Here once again I found little change, a tiny street corner pub serving excellent ales. One thing has changed though, last time I was there they had three or four handpumps, this time it was nine! I'd not got half way along the bar when I spotted the superb Two Tone Special Chocolate Stout from Northern Brewing in Northwich. No need to examine the rest of the options! What a wonderful beer, a very creamy dark stout, highly recommended. The pub was quiet on a Thursday afternoon, in fact at one point I was the only customer in the place. I'm a little surprised such a small place can keep nine hand pumps going, but if this sample is anything to go by they're doing a great job. Highly recommended, but I think you might be out of luck looking for a seat if there's more than a dozen people in there.

Another New Wetherspoon's

2011-10-04T09:02:00.002+01:00

I am told that Wetherspoon's have bought the Everest in Maghull, although there's nothing on their web site at the time of writing.

Prescot Wetherspoon's

2011-09-12T08:37:00.006+01:00

Latest news from the unstoppable pub chain is that they plan to open The Watch Maker on Eccleston Street in Prescot in early December. See you there!

A Dash to Southport

2011-09-07T23:02:00.002+01:00

Imagine my annoyance when I realised that one of the new entries in this year's Good Beer Guide was a pub in Southport which I had never visited. Time for an urgent train trip.

The Volunteer is just a short walk from the station. Outside it is a rather impressive building which looks like it dates from the 1920s I guess. Inside it has been knocked through to make one large open bar area, plainly decorated but well looked after. On a wet Wednesday lunchtime it was ticking over nicely with a number of regulars sitting at the bar. I got a slight feeling of the music stopping and everyone looking round as I went in, but they soon got back to their chit-chat while I settled down to a fine pint of Thwaites' Wainwright. I'm not entirely convinced that two real ales (The other was Lancaster Bomber.) is enough to merit a Good Beer Guide listing but the ale was spot on so who's complaining.

I moved on in the blustery wind to re-visit the splendid Baron's Bar in the Scarisbrick complex. Fun fake "baronial hall" decor and about ten real ales on tap. There comes a time in every man's life when he must admit that he will never again be the youngest person in the pub. I can report that I haven't reached that stage yet! (Technically, the barman was definitely younger than me so maybe this doesn't count!)

Next it was time to choose a pub at random so I selected the Oast House which I haven't visited simce 1998 when my notes grumbled about the poor quality of the real ale. No danger of a repeat of this problem, because they don't sell any any more. A plain back street boozer with Sky Sports on the telly and just a few regulars in. Unusual sight of the day was the regulars and the barman playing snakes and ladders, for money!

Good Beer Guide 2012

2011-09-06T13:42:00.001+01:00

The new edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide arrived today. In Merseyside eight pubs have been dropped from the guide, and there are fifteen additions.

Which pubs are they? You'll have to buy CAMRA's book to find out!

Liverpool One Bridewell

2011-09-02T22:54:00.000+01:00

I've been meaning to visit here ever since it was Colin's Bridewell some years ago but never quite got round to it. Colin's became a restaurant for a while, but the latest (and apparently best) use of the site is as the Liverpool One Bridewell.

The building is a former police station dating from mid 19th century. The splendid interior has a vaulted brick ceiling and features a number of cells where you can enjoy your beer.

The real ale, from the Liverpool One brewery plus guests, is excellent and there's a reduction for CAMRA members. I had a pint of the superb Stout Mary from Ilkley Brewery. My pint was carefully filled to the top so I was rather surprised when I sat down to realise it was in an oversize lined glass. Is this the only place in Liverpool that still uses them?

By the way, the word bridewell isn't in my dictionary, but it seems to mean a prison or police station. Bridewell Palace, built in London during Henry VIII's reign, was later used as a "house of correction". It burned down in the great fire but was rebuilt and continued to be a prison until 1855.

Coopers

2011-07-18T13:51:00.000+01:00

Those who have studied the Merseyside Pub Guide will already be aware of my fondness for Coopers on Cases Street, and as time goes on we can also add rarity to its attributes.

This tiny two-room boozer is always packed with happy drunks, no matter what time you go in. I was there on a recent Monday afternoon and just managed to squeeze in. The live singer was belting out an Abba song (Ten minutes later she was serving behind the bar.) No real ale any more, so I just stood in a corner with a pint of Guinness. and soaked up the atmosphere.

Truly a classic English boozer, you just don't find them like this any more.

Some years ago, when 24 hour licensing was being discussed, I suggested this would be the first 24/7 pub in Liverpool, and I can imagine it being just as lively with just as many drunks at five in the morning. That hasn't happened, in fact the whole 24 hour thing seems to have been a damp squib - Is there anywhere open all night?

Victoria Cross

2011-07-18T11:57:00.001+01:00

Located at the junction of Victoria Street and Sir Thomas Street, this corner house has gone through a number of changes of style and name. It started as the New Court, but that was before my time, I think, as I never went there. As Ned Kelly's it was a fun plastic Australian bar, decorated with the inevitable stuffed crocodile and kangaroo (wearing boxing gloves). I didn't visit the short-lived Reuben's Bar, but recently I had a pint in the latest incarnation, The Victoria Cross. The Antipodean decor has gone, replaced by a pleasant plain interior. I was pleased to see four hand pumps on the bar, although three had the clips turned round. The fourth provided a mediocre pint of Bass.

Red Biddy

2011-04-14T15:44:00.002+01:00

17 across in today's Times Crossword:
"Extremely cheap booze embarrassed old woman (3,5)". Easy peasy - it's Red Biddy.

This set me thinking, what exactly is Red Biddy? I vaguely remember it being on sale in Yates's Wine Lodges, but I never drank any. Google was unusually totally useless, suggesting a mixture of red wine and methylated spirits, which I don't think Yates's would be allowed to sell!

Actually, it would appear to be an Australian fortified red wine, the red equivalent of the more well known Aussie White, which I have enjoyed in Yates's on occasion.

Does anyone know if the modern tarted up Yates's still sell either of these?

Officers Mess

2011-03-18T19:36:00.004Z

Blood donors again today (I hope they don't read this blog!) so a chance to check out a pub in town. This time I selected the Officers Mess on Victoria Street. It opened earlier this year, I believe, and I'm not sure what was in this building previously. I had it noted as a renaming of the Beaconsfield on the corner, but in fact it is a couple of doors down Victoria Street, and the Beaconsfield continues to operate.

Anyway, this afternoon I found a pleasant comfortable basement bar, sadly devoid of customers, serving a small range of real ales - I had Young's - and also offering a good selection of imported bottles. I wonder if they have the special glasses for the Kwak? The menu looks good, with traditional pub fare perhaps tending slightly up market. There's also a room upstairs which I didn't visit.

Updated Book Available

2011-03-13T08:47:00.003Z

The 2011 edition of the book of the Merseyside Pub Guide has just been published. You can order a copy direct from the printers.

It has 217 pages of reviews and pictures, listing 1,748 pubs, all in a handy spiral-bound A5 book.

Go on, buy a copy and make my day!

Meeting My Waterloo

2011-02-17T11:05:00.002Z

Yesterday was nice and sunny so I headed out for a research trip, to Waterloo. I emerged from the station to see the sad sight of the Alexandra closed and tinned up. I wandered down to the Volunteer Canteen, but unfortunately it was shut. Outside the Old Bank the sign promised local cask ales and indeed they had three from Liverpool One on tap. I enjoyed a pint of Kings Regiment. This pub has hardly changed since I visited in 1999, and once again I was the youngest customer. The walls are cluttered with music and football posters and memorabilia giving the place a slightly untidy appearance at first glance, but actually it is spotlessly clean, well maintained and comfortable.

My next call was at the fairly new Stamps Too where I found a long narrow one-roomed pub which manages to squeeze a stage for live music along one side. Six handpumps on the bar offering various unusual beers, I had a pint of the excellent Allgates' Citra.

At the top of South Road sits the splendid old building that is the Liver Hotel, another pub I haven't visited since '99. The interior is very pleasant. Real ales on offer were Tetley, Cains, and Black Sheep, and I chose the Tetley, a long term favourite of mine.

Next, round the corner to the Ferndale Lodge. A total contrast this one: Plain, down market and slightly scruffy; and no chance of real ale. Back in the late 90s there was a chain of pubs like this around Liverpool called Oak Lodges, all looking exactly the same. Some of them remain but there is no longer any sign of chain branding, so I don't know if they are still connected.

My final stop was in the Lion and Unicorn. Once again, little change in the ten or so years since I was last here: A large, open, pleasant enough one room boozer where I was a little surprised to find a choice of Greene King's IPA and Old Speckled Hen on hand pump. I chose the IPA for a change.

P.S. Did you know it was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who first used the phrase "To meet our Waterloo" in The Return of Sherlock Holmes in 1909?

Closing Time

2011-02-12T21:59:00.001Z

Closing Time is the title of an excellent book of photographs of closed Liverpool pubs taken by Kevin Casey. The wonderful shots of architectural gems and plain sheds in various states of decay certainly brought back some memories for me, and I recommend you take a look.

Of the eighty pubs featured, I have drunk in sixty-five, a figure I feel few could match!

Beer Of The Year?

2011-02-08T17:18:00.003Z

Perhaps it is a bit early in the year to be announcing a winner, but I was in the Dispensary yesterday where I had a pint of the superb Plum Porter from the Titanic Brewery. I know fruit beers are not to everyone's taste but I am fond of them, and this is one of the all time greats. Titanic's normal Porter is an excellent beer in its own right, and the addition of plums makes it truly wonderful.

I strongly recommend you seek this one out and give it a try. I guess it's a seasonal brew but Titanic's web site seems not to have been updated since last summer, so I'm not sure. Maybe it's a one-off - I hope not.

All Bar One

2011-02-03T17:11:00.001Z

I visited the recently opened All Bar One on Derby Square today. This used to be the Goose at the Queens which was a pleasant place serving excellent real ale, now it's part of the All Bar One chain. More of a restaurant than a pub, they nevertheless served me a decent pint of Thwaites Original at the bar and I sat at a table in the almost empty ground floor. The decor is pleasant enough and like the menu is somewhat up market. They also serve breakfasts, I quite fancy going in for eggs Benedict some time. I didn't explore the upstairs part.

The Barker's Brewery, Huyton

2011-01-23T16:10:00.002Z

I paid a visit to this branch of the Wetherspoon's chain on their opening day today. For those familiar with the Rose and Crown or the Wheatsheaf, what was the lounge side is now mainly the kitchen, and the pub area consists of the former bar side, plus the bullnose and the far end of the lounge side.

On their first day they were doing a roaring trade in both food and drink, and I predict they will do fairly well in the longer term. The only whinge I overheard was the lack of free tables.

Real ales on the first day were Barker's Brewery Bitter (Brewed by George Wright), Cains Bitter, Cains IPA, Abbot, and Ruddles Best Bitter. The prices were above average by Wetherspoon's standards, with the cheapest - the Ruddles - at £1.75. Those I sampled were spot on, as expected.

Now It's "The Barker's Brewery"

2010-12-31T08:56:00.004Z

According to Wetherspoon's web site the new branch in Huyton will be named The Barker's Brewery, and not The Baker's Brewary as they were calling it last week.

It's still scheduled to open 23 January, subject to licensing approval.

Cains In Trouble Again

2010-12-15T15:51:00.001Z

Today the Post are reporting that Cains are once again struggling to continue trading, with auditors reporting there is uncertainty about their survival.

It was only a little over two years ago that the current incarnation of Cains was created from the the previous company which had gone into administration.

The Beer Economiser

2010-12-12T23:31:00.004Z

Yesterday I travelled over to Yorkshire where I enjoyed some beers in a few pubs. I won't put the reviews here since it's well out of the area, but the trip did remind me of a question which has bugged me for some time: What is the status of the beer economiser?

For those who've never seen one, a beer economiser (or Autovac) is a system which collects the overspill as a pint is poured and recycles it by mixing it with fresh beer as the pump is operated. It is traditional in Yorkshire and parts of Scotland I'm told.

My personal philosophy has always been that a bit of dirt is good for the immune system, so I have no complaints, but I must say I'm surprised that more people (Not to mention Environmental Health.) don't object to drinking beer that has washed over the hands of the serving staff. Perhaps most drinkers aren't even aware of the system?

I found one web site which claimed these were no longer legal, but I find that hard to believe since I observed them in a number of pubs. UPDATE: I have communicated with the Environmental Health team responsible for the area I visited and they confirm that economisers are used and are legal.

How to spot an economiser

1. There is a square metal funnel below each swan-neck.
2. The barman/barmaid seems very wasteful of beer. They often give a hefty squirt from the pump before putting the glass under, and any excess head is dealt with by pulling more beer and letting the head overflow.
3. If the beer is too lively, larger quantities may be pulled with the glass held aside, driving the excess gas out before recycling.
4. I'm told they have a distinctive noise as the valve opens and closes, but to be honest I've never noticed.

A Couple in Town

2010-12-09T17:41:00.003Z

Blood donors again, so I surveyed a couple of pubs, starting with the William Gladstone on North John Street. I'm fairly sure this used to be the Hogshead or was that on the other corner, now Slug and Lettuce? Anyway, I haven't visited under this name. A busy popular food-oriented two floor place, nicely decorated especially the chandeliers. Three hand pumps on the bar, including one of the weird Bombardier ones that confused me in Rainhill yesterday. Unfortunately "No real ale, we're waiting for a delivery" so it was my favourite fallback, a pint of Guinness.

After a bit of shopping I headed for the New Penny Farthing. I haven't been in here since 2002, and after quite a long period of closure this year it has re-opened basically unchanged except for a new carpet and a new coat of paint. The clientele were just as 'liveley' as before.

A Survey in the Cold

2010-12-08T21:26:00.010Z

Nothing to do this afternoon so I donned my arctic gear (slight exaggeration) and headed out into the bright sunshine to crunch through the snow and ice up to the station. A quick train ride took me to Lea Green, and then it was a short walk to the Millhouse, a pleasant comfortable pub concentrating mainly on food, which was ticking over on a cold Wednesday lunchtime. A generous supply of Timothy Taylor's beermats but no real ale to be seen.

Next, back towards the station and the Bull & Dog, another pleasant comfortable food-oriented place with no real ale. I was pleased to see that instead of the usual unfriendly "No work clothes" the sign on the lounge door said "Gentlemen in work clothes please use the bar." The bar was much plainer than the larger lounge side, and featured a vinyl floor. Once again, food sales were slow but steady - not bad for a cold Wednesday.

One stop on the train and I was in Rainhill where I headed for the Black Horse. Yet another food-oriented pub ticking over at two on a Wednesday, but this one has some decent ale, including one called Black Horse brewed by George Wright. There was a strange font on the counter for Bombardier, featuring a tall stand with an illuminated sign on the top which made me think it was keg at first glance, but behind was a tall handle and a standard swan-neck so probably cask after all. Some kind of marketing ploy trying to look modern, I presume, but in my case it lost them a potential sale!
UPDATE: The following day I saw another one of these, and I can confirm it is apparently a traditional hand pump hidden behind a marketing sign.

Next and final pub was the Commercial round the back of the station. What a surprise: By now it was half past two on a still bitterly cold Wednesday afternoon, and yet the place was busy. I collected my excellent pint of cask Tetley Bitter and perched on a stool by the only unoccupied table. They have a small range of real ales, including Tetley Mild. What is the secret? How do they get so many people in? It's a mystery to me, but I've always liked this place with its beautifully preserved interior and exterior, so long may it continue.

Wetherspoon's The Baker's Brewary

2010-12-05T14:53:00.000Z

Latest from the Wetherspoon's web site is that the former Wheatsheaf in Huyton will open as The Baker's Brewary on Sunday 23 January 2011. See you there!

I don't know the derivation of the rather odd name, is it just a typo?

The Lord Warden

2010-11-26T23:41:00.008Z

I've been a regular visitor to the The Lord Warden on London Road in Liverpool City Centre for a number of years now. We used to go on a Thursday evening for the free quiz and decent beer.

The beer quality slipped in 2006 and got to the stage where I ordered keg rather than risk another pint of vinegar.

A new landlord in 2007 restored the real ale, but a further drop in ale quality and customer numbers in 2009 saw the place dying on its feet. Sometimes at 9.30 on a Thursday evening it was just my friends and I and the barmaid. The response to falling income was to put the price of the beer up, but with cheaper drink just across the road this reduced the customers even more. Eventually came closure, and to be honest I thought that was the end, but no: Earlier this year it re-opened after a rather good tidy up / redecoration.

We tried it in August and unfortunately got pints of vinegar. Eventually we gave it a second chance yesterday and were rewarded with some excellent Timothy Taylor's Landlord, for a very reasonable £2 a pint. Worryingly, at one point in the evening there was only one other drinker in, but the custom did increase later.

UPDATE Jan 2011: I've been in a number of times since the above was written, and found spot on beer and more customers.

The Beaconsfield

2010-11-11T16:49:00.004Z

I was in town today for a blood donor session, so on the One Pint Out - One Pint In principle I needed to visit a pub.

The Beaconsfield is a basement bar located on North John Street, and I haven't visited since 1998 when it was called Cains and was a pleasant pub concentrating on live music. Now, it's plain but very well cared for, with a lino floor around the bar and on the dance floor, and a raised carpeted area with some very comfortable leather sofas and armchairs. No real ale I'm afraid, the lone highly polished handpump appeared to be purely decorative.

The place seemed a lot smaller than I remember, did I really see Professor Longhair perform in here? There hardly seems space for a band and an audience! There was plenty of room on a Thursday afternoon, though, since I was the only customer.

Rainhill Beer Festival

2010-11-02T08:57:00.001Z

Rainhill Rotary's 8th Annual Beer Festival will be held at Prescot Leisure Centre on 11th to 13th November. I'm afraid work and other commitments will probably preclude my attendance.

See http://www.rainhillrc.freeserve.co.uk/frames.htm for details.

Cafe Culture?

2010-10-26T11:56:00.001+01:00

Yesterday morning I wandered into Wetherspoon's on Charlotte Street just before nine in the morning, and I found "cafe culture" in full swing. There were a couple of boozers (Or three if you include me.) in, but a couple of dozen people taking breakfast, drinking tea and coffee.

This reminds me of the excellent cafe/bars one finds on the continent where people come for coffee and croissants in the morning and return for beer in the evening. If you stay in a cheap hotel in Belgium you'll often find yourself joining the regulars in the bar for breakfast.

So, is Wetherspoon's move to seven a.m. opening a step towards 24 hour pubs? The difficult part is how you make the transition between a pub full of drunks at two a.m. and the pleasant atmosphere I found in the morning. Or would the drunks gradually stagger away as the night progressed?

Crown Catastrophe!

2010-10-22T10:01:00.005+01:00

The Crown on Lime Street has long been a favourite of mine. Wandering in at about half nine last night I was appalled to find a towel over the handpumps. What a disaster! As they used to say in the papers, we made our excuses and left.

Update: I'm pleased to report that real ale was back on the following day.

JD Wetherspoon Coming to Huyton

2010-10-18T15:03:00.001+01:00

I've just had an email from Wetherspoon's Head of Property and Acquisitions to let me know they've bought the Wheatsheaf (formerly the Rose and Crown) in Huyton and hope to be open by Christmas.

Mossley Hill

2010-10-18T10:55:00.008+01:00

The weather was good on Sunday, so it was time to go out into the sunshine and do some exploring. A train took me to Lime Street where I bumped into old colleague Mike who was waiting for a friend before going to the match, and we had a quick chat, mainly about pubs and blogs. A Manchester-bound train then carried me one stop to Mossley Hill station. I passed by the Rose of Mossley (Wasn't this formerly called just The Rose?) and continued to my first destination, which wasn't a pub at all.

I've never been to Calderstones Park before so had a good wander round this pleasant green space. The buildings looked a bit tatty but otherwise the formal gardens were well looked after. I always thought the Calder Stones were a myth but there they were, six neolithic boulders, hidden in an almost-derelict greenhouse. Time for a drink...

I haven't been in the Half Way House on Woolton Road since 1998, but it hasn't changed much. It was crowded with footie fans watching the derby on the TV. I quickly got a pint of Greene King IPA and found a pillar to lean against (No chance of a seat) and started to look around in between keeping an eye on the match. That's odd, why's that bloke wearing dark glasses indoors? And that feller, and him and him and her over there too, they've all got the same design of dark glasses on. Most peculiar! The penny soon dropped, this is the first time I've met Sky's 3D TV in a pub! The screen I was watching was normal but theirs had a strange double image on it, unwatchable without the glasses. It'll never catch on. Anyway, back to the pub: Pleasantly decorated and retaining some old woodwork, it's absolutely enormous, with three large rooms on the lounge side, a smaller bar side, and a large restaurant area at the back which was also very busy. My beer was in excellent nick. Everton won by the way.

Next, I headed along Queens Drive to the Childwall Fiveways. Wetherspoons took it over earlier this year but they haven't done much to the already very nice interior. This place was a regular Friday night haunt of mine back in the 1990s. Much quieter in here than the Half Way House but they were still doing a good trade in Sunday dinners. As usual in Wetherspoon's there were four people behind the bar but only one actually serving and I had to wait five minutes for my pint of Abbot.

My next pub was The Turnpike on Bowring Park Road. Another one I haven't visited since 1998 but showing little change in style. One very welcome change, they've gained real ale which wasn't available last time.

I nipped across the road to Broad Green station for a train home.

Introduction

2010-10-18T10:40:00.004+01:00

The Merseyside Pub Guide has been going for twelve years now, so I thought it might be time to move into the twenty-first century and add a blog!

Hopefully this will let me reveal to the many visitors to the website just how I go about researching the information. And also allow me the occasional (I promise) editorial rant.

Of course, it'll also allow readers to provide their own input in a more public way than previously.