Allerton and Mossley Hill

I'm aiming for some overdue ticks in Allerton and Mossley Hill today but first, how about a new one?  The Heath Hall Sports and Social Club:

The front door of the 60s building was locked but a sign pointed round the side to the bar, located at the rear of the building, so I headed in and was soon enjoying a Carling.

The bar is plainly decorated and well looked after.  Only three other drinkers in the room at half one on a Saturday, later joined by one more.  Racing from Newcastle, not too loud, was on the three TVs.

The other side of the servery faced a larger room, presumably the function room.

Next, the Greenhills:

My only previous visit to this rather imposing building was in 2017 and it doesn't seem to have changed much, with a large restaurant area and a smaller bar room where I headed.

I think the plainness of the styling dates this building to the early 1950s - Or am I, as usual, demonstrating my ignorance of architectural matters.

One handpump offering Doom Bar failed to tempt me, and I had another Carling.  Solo handpumps in dining pubs are always a bit risky, although I must admit it is some time since I had an off pint, so really I should have risked it.  (How prophetic these words would be!)  No cask was served while I was here, so perhaps I was right.

No beer mats on my table, so I ended up with a couple of embarrassing drips of condensation on my trousers.

Last time I was here I commented that they don't try and tempt drinkers by putting out food menus in the drinkers' room, and it's the same today so I can't comment on the menu choices.  Stonehouse is Stonehouse, though, so I'm sure you know what to expect.

Gentle conversation mixed with the quiet muzac and there was a steady stream of customers coming in for more drinks and to order food.

Another food order elicited the warning that it's 45 minutes wait, so they are either incompetent or exceptionally busy in the restaurant.

On to a true classic, the Storrsdale:

I entered the deserted bar side and moved through to the lounge.  A friendly dog on a long lead came towards me so I patted it on the head and said "Hello dog" as I usually do.  A voice said "Hello Phil" and my eyes followed the lead to find a former work colleague at the other end.  Pub notes took a break as we chatted.  As neither of us had attended the Woolton pub crawl reunion this year it was a good chance to catch up.

What a beautiful pub this is, inside and out.  I'll once again stick my architectural neck out and say this is a late 1930s construction.  The two sided interior has been well maintained and retains historic leaded windows and woodwork.  A perfect pint of White Rat added to the pleasure.

My next target was the Rose, but pencilled in on the plan was a look at Pi to see what had happened to it.  Unexpectedly, it is now Haul:

I'm trying to match this place with my memory of Pi, I think that was two shops wide and this is only one.

In any case, a very pleasant shop conversion in which all the other customers were exploiting the intermittent sunshine in the back yard while I sat alone in the main room.  Three handpumps offered three ales I'd never heard of, the one from Abbeydale I chose was beautiful.

The barman/landlord, in between serving quality ales, washed the front windows; no need to pay for a window cleaner!

He disappeared out of the back door for a moment, and then a cardboard bottle carrier leapt from the top of the fridge onto the floor.  Must be a poltergeist, I think.  Made me jump, anyway.

A couple came in with a very young child.  "I want a yellow one" she said, choosing something crafty from the fridge.  Mum and dad added it to their own selections for a large take away order of cans and bottles.  I wonder if the little one gets to drink anything from her yellow can!

Finally, the Rose of Mossley is a more traditional pub, also last visited in 2017:

A knocked through pub welcoming diners and drinkers.

Following my comments in the Greenhills about risking the only cask ale I gambled here, and lost, with a pint of Old Speckled Vinegar.  Yeugh!

A nice pub architecturally, this one, the pleasant interior retains some woodwork and some stained glass partitions.  At five on a Saturday it was nicely busy with drinkers and diners, mainly the former, I think.  As time moved on the throng at the counter increased, keeping the bar staff busy with food and drink orders.

As this was pint number five I decided I couldn't be bothered to complain, I just abandoned my vinegar un-drunk.  I can only hope that head office read this blog and tell them off.  I will add a comment about poor quality cask in the guide database, of course.

Time to head for home.

Pub of the day: The Storrsdale

Beer of the day: White Rat

Miles walked: 2.6

Maybe coming soon: Haydock, Newton-le-Willows, city centre.