Brunch!

A morning in town started at the Brunch & Cocktail Club:

Not the type of place I frequent, so I didn't really know what to expect here.  A pleasant one roomed cafe/bar is what I found.  I think the decor would usually be described as restrained, but they've gone a little overboard with the Christmas stuff - Still looking good, though.

At eleven on a Friday it was quite busy and everyone was half my age or less.  No, wait, I can see one older bloke.

I enjoyed a fine breakfast fry-up accompanied by a very spicy Bloody Mary.  Now that's the way to start a special day!

The room gradually got busier while I was there, I don't think they ran out of tables but it was probably close.

This is probably the only visited entry in the Merseyside Pub Guide where I haven't had any beer.

Where next?  There aren't any overdue ticks round here likely to be open at this time.  However, as I wandered in search of a Wetherspoon I heard the rattle of the shutters going up at Albert's Schenke:

Here, I had Erdinger, in a proper glass, from the impressive range of taps.  There were some unusual ones available, from Germany and from local Black Lodge as well.

I was disappointed but not unduly surprised to see that the two handpumps were out of use.

Are the three copper "Pilsner Urquell unpasteurised" tanks above the servery in use?  Maybe I should have had that.

As I enjoyed my beer more customers trickled in but it was still fairly quiet.  Many of the tables had Reserved signs, so they are obviously expecting to be busy later, while I'm already on my way home.