Formby

On a cold and wet Thursday I set off for a trip to Formby where I started in a new one - New to me, that is, it's been open since last year, the Auld Dubliner:

Here I discovered a very pleasantly decorated Irish style bar in which, somewhat to my surprise, I found operational handpumps.  My Wainwright Gold was good.

About a dozen customers were in at two on a rainy Thursday afternoon, one group were putting the world to rights.  They moved on to football, apparently Liverpool have already won the league!

This is a really nice bar, I must say, a welcome addition to the Formby scene.

Just a few doors along is one I've never heard of, Emily's:

Wow!  Behind the small frontage is an enormous place with beautiful decoration consisting of millions of plants.  Some plastic, I think, and some real.  The interior designer here has done a really brilliant job in my opinion.

I selected Brooklyn IPA from the ten taps.  In the drinking area I didn't get to see a food menu but I'm guessing it is tempting but not cheap.

At half two there were plenty of customers keeping the place busy, and the barman was constantly making cocktails.

That's it for central Formby, a walk now over the railway and into suburban streets.  No danger of getting lost on the way to the Pinewoods!

Well I never.  This pleasant sixties construction has three handpumps on the counter, one of which carries a handwritten Bass sign.  Should I risk it?  The lad behind the counter had some difficulty pulling it, which didn't exactly boost my confidence, but eventually I got a fine pint.  (For those who don't know, I should explain that there is an unwritten law of pub ticking which specifies that if Bass is available I have to choose it.  The previous occasion for me was Saturday just gone in the Swan and Railway in Wigan - What a great pub!)

The interior of this large pub has been knocked through, creating a large pleasant open space.  The decor is unexciting but nice enough.

The sounds in here were quiet football commentary (Live?  Seems an odd time.), quiet chatter and quiet music.  Spot on!

Another zig zag walk involving another crossing of the railway took me to the Grapes:

This giant knocked through building is nicely done out.  It has still sort of got two sides but they are pretty much indistinguishable.  I was pleased to see some handpumps and while a couple were "coming soon" I still had a choice of three, and the Salopian Oracle was spot on.

It was very quiet in here at four o'clock, but a number of tables had reserved signs for this evening.  The what's on board said live music and bingo, I'm not sure which, if either, was bringing people in.

This one is under the same brand as the Pinewoods, the People's Pub is a Stonegate operation.  I checked the menu, which looks rather good.  Fish and chips, with bread and butter and curry sauce, is £14, or just fish, chips and peas for £11.

There's one more overdue tick in this area so I'm going to head there.  The weather had improved to sunshine by now, so I hid my coat in my bag as I headed off.  Going back twenty odd years the Freshfield was a great cask ale destination with a dozen or more handpumps on the counter.  Nowadays it is run by Greene King, so I am wondering what to expect:

And the answer is...  They've still got umpteen cask ales on, and my White Rat was lovely.  And in an Ossett glass.   So, highly recommended!

The place was ticking over nicely, and a number of tables were reserved later on, my one at eight - I'm sure I'll be home by then.

The menu includes fish and chips for 15.75, so a bit more than the Grapes, but the beer choice is better.

Something occurred to me:  I have grumbled in the past about "99" prices, do they really think charging 12.99 makes me think it is better than 13 quid?  But today, all the prices I've seen have been round numbers, is it just chance or have those who decide these things come round to agreeing with me?  We'll see...

What a survey, five ticks - one brand new - and four decent cask ales, brilliant! See you next week...

Pub of the day: Freshfield
Beer of the day: White Rat
Miles walked: 3.8
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Bebbington and Bromborough

Knowsley and Kirkby

I started today's research with a bus ride to Knowsley, and the Derby Arms:

Thirty years ago I used to come here once a week, it was an important part of my fitness regime, after visiting a local gym.  

Anyway, a major refurbishment (or two) has transformed it out of all recognition, not helped by my sitting in the "other" end this time.  It's a rather nicely done Greene King food-oriented place, with quite a few customers eating at one on a Thursday.

One handpump had a clip, for Old Session Hen (A new one on me, how much further can they stretch the Old X Hen theme?) but a quick tug of the handle showed it wasn't on, so I took a Carling and retreated to a quiet side area and sat in a comfortable chair.

Fish and chips is £13 here which in 2025 probably marks it as fairly cheap, a couple of years ago that would have been expensive.

Next, just a mile's stroll away is the Copper Pot:

This is one of that breed of pubs, the "21st century roadhouse"; in this case it was a new construction opened in 2010, ChatGPT tells me.  Located beside the East Lancs Road, I imagine a walk in customer like me is pretty uncommon, everyone else comes by car.

I was startled to see no less than eight handpumps on the counter, and every single one of them had a Pedigree clip.  Of course only one was in use, but it produced a decent pint so I'm not complaining.

The interior is exactly what you would expect, pastel colours, fake wood panelling, even an impressive fire surround on one wall.  All in all a pleasant comfortable "plastic" ambience.

At two on a now rainy Thursday afternoon there were plenty of diners keeping the place going.

Now, what's the rain going to do?  I could go home now, or I could walk on a mile or more into Kirkby where there are a number of required ticks.  Ah, wait, bustimes.com to the rescue, there's a bus.

Shortly after I reached the bus stop the rain became quite heavy, lucky I wasn't going the other way because there's no shelter on the other side of the dual carriageway, just a forlorn passenger struggling to keep her cigarette alight under an umbrella.

The bus soon carried me into Kirkby's Southdene area, and the Park Brow:

A classic 60s one, this.  There has clearly been some knocking through inside in the intervening years but it still has two sides, only one in use on a Thursday afternoon I think.  Well cared for, clean and tidy throughout, as one expects nowadays.

A few regulars were chattering, ignoring the pub researcher on his own in a side area.  With a Carling, of course, and only £2.80 if I remember correctly.

The pub was ticking over well and at three o'clock there was a steady trickle of customers in and out, the older ones (including me) on John Smith's or Carling, younger ones choosing Poretti.  (Going by the glassware, that is)

Not too far down the road is another sixties classic, the Kingfisher:

The "other side" was out of use on a Thursday arvo, I think, I drank my Carling in the pleasant bar side, with just five regulars.

As I always say - because it's always true - the room was clean and tidy.  If I am allowed a criticism, the bench seat along the front wall was too low for me, but I suspect my shorter friends would disagree.

Judging by the pictures around the wall this is a red pub, no sign of the people's club at all.  Of course it might be that the other room is blue.

Where next?  There are three other required ticks in Kirkby, the most desirable (last visited 2016) being the Peacock which is a mile and a half away.  I don't think I can be bothered to walk that far in the rain today, perhaps I should just Uber home?

OK, lazy option chosen.

Pub of the day: Derby Arms
Beer of the day: Pedigree
Miles walked: 1.4
Maybe coming soon: South Wirral, Southport

Maghull

I set off on what was going to be a rather hot day, perhaps I was unwise to plan a ticking mission which involved long walks.  But maybe it won't.  I took the train to Maghull North from where it was an easy stroll to the Old Post Office:

Last time I was around here it was unexpectedly shut, no such problem this time and I entered a pleasant single room shop conversion.  Nicely decorated in the currently fashionable shades of grey, plus some bare brick wallpaper on one wall.

Five regulars were chatting and the friendly barmaid soon poured me a Carling.

It's happened before and it'll probably happen again:  Why is that bloke staring at me, I wondered?  Of course I was sitting underneath a screen on which the racing was being shown, and he was filling in betting slips. I must learn that it's not always about me!

Next, a bar I walked straight past without noticing shortly after it first opened.  I'm hoping for some decent ale in what is effectively Neptune's brewery tap, the Neptune Beerhouse:

Surprisingly empty at two o'clock, with only two other customers who were chatting to the barman.  My pint of Neptune Abyss was wonderful, as expected. And it came in a lined Neptune conic.

Next comes a long walk, or so I thought until I fired up Google Maps to tell me how far it would be, and it showed AJ's Cocktail Bar, just a few steps down the road.  I'd never even heard of that, so let's give it a try first:

What I found was a tiny shop conversion, probably only one quarter of the space Neptune had.  The decor, dark colouring, is very attractive, someone has obviously put a lot of effort in to the styling of this small space, and it shows.

Only two keg taps offering Estrella Damm and Poretti, I chose the former and it came in the correct glass.  No sign of any other customers, just me and the young barman who was keeping busy cleaning and tidying up.  Reading back what I've just written, I need to add that the place was already clean and mostly tidy, he was mainly sorting out cocktail menus and putting them on each table, and wiping the already clean counter.

If I'm allowed a minor negative comment, the array of mops, buckets and cleaning sprays in the front window would be better hidden out the back somewhere.

I chatted with the barman about why I was here and where I was going next, he asked the question I often hear, "Which is your favourite pub?" and I remembered the smart answer, which is "the one I'm in".

Now, just across the road is a rather odd looking place called Milly's which has been in my database, unvisited, for umpteen years.  It has limited opening hours, I think, so I'd never been in.  But it is open now, so let's go:

Well, that wasn't what I expected at all:  A large bar, plus a roof terrace, I imagine it's packed late evenings but at half three on a Saturday it is ticking over with about half a dozen customers plus me.

The decor inside is totally over the top, sparkly ceiling and walls and lots of neon signs, and I have to say, rather well done.

Now, four pints to the good, do I trek miles across the desert in the blazing sun (Hyperbole) to the next target or do I choose the lazy option and go back to the station for a train home.  I think you know me well enough by now; I took the easy way.  I was particularly pleased with three brand new ticks bringing the grand total to 1,569.

Pub of the day: Neptune Beerhouse
Beer of the day: Neptune Abyss
Miles walked: 2.2
Maybe coming soon: Southport

New Ones In Crosby

Clearly my FOMO and consequent monitoring of local events is not working because when I arrived at Huyton station I was startled to find it and the train were packed with Everton fans.  Has the footie started already?  The internet soon informed me that it is a friendly, the final test event for the new stadium.  Once the train from Central got to Sandhills it emptied out, and I proceeded as planned to Crosby town centre.

Or, at least, most of the way there.  As I approached I spotted what could possibly be a bar I've never heard of.  Round Eight:

And indeed it is.  Concentrating on wine and cocktails, but with eight keg taps offering a good range of beers many of which I'd never heard of.  I should have had something new but instead I stayed safe and boring with Paulaner.

The bare brick, rough wood, and dark green tiling make for a very attractive interior.

Only one other customer, who was sitting at the counter and chatting with the barman, later they were joined by another regular, and then four more came in, not bad for two on a Saturday.

Continuing on my planned course, I headed for ...  Oh, but wait, here's another one I've never heard of, Winners Wine Bar:

In here I found a plain but well done shop conversion, bigger than it at first appeared with a back room off to the side.

From the array of standard keg brews I selected Shipyard.

In the back room were a number of people enjoying fish and chips, creating a hunger inducing smell throughout the place!  There were also seven of us in the front room, so the place was ticking over nicely.

Can I finally reach a planned tick?  Yes, Murphy's Tavern:

This used to be Blue's bar, but it doesn't look the same inside, so have I got that wrong?  What we have here is a very attractive open room with gentle Irish theming.  In line with the theme I had Guinness.  Not packed but ticking over well at nearly three.

The menu of pub standards looks rather good, and well priced.

My recollections of Blue include a pizza oven, but I can't see that now.  The more I look around the more I think it's not the same place?  Or perhaps they've just totally gutted and redone the space.  Studying my photos and notes when I got home showed that the former Sports Bar side has now been split off as a coffee shop.  And there was, indeed, an open kitchen with a pizza oven.

Immediately beside Murphy's is a little door labelled McNamara's Sports Bar, so I entered and climbed the stairs to find a surprisingly large pool hall, with just a few customers paying pool and also darts.  I'm not sure if you are supposed to play, but the barman seemed happy to sell me a pint of Carling so I'm getting the tick!

Of the half a dozen customers at just after three, I was the only one not participating, but there are a few tables and chairs near the counter for us drinkers.

Next, maybe another new one I didn't know existed, what is Piloto Lounge?

I hesitated for a moment at the "Please wait to be seated" sign and was quickly captured by a friendly waitress.  "Can I just come in for a drink?" I asked, "Yes of course, order at the bar" was the welcoming reply.

So, moments later I was enjoying a pint of Cruzcampo in a quiet corner of the busy restaurant.

I examined the menu, I must say it looks rather good.

I rather like the decor in here, bare bricks and naked beams with umpteen old lampshades makes for a quirky fun style.

All the unexpected new ones have rather messed up my plans, and there are three more overdue ticks around here, one of which is just round the corner.  Maybe I should tick six?  After all, it's only a quarter to four.  (I would like to head for home before the footie kicks out)

OK, Larkins it is:

A down market but still spotlessly clean and tidy boozer to finish my Crosby survey, I think the Endbutt and the Edinburgh will have to wait until next time.

All except me were clearly regulars who knew each other and the friendly barmaid.

I sat at the back of the small room, and enjoyed my pint of Carling while all the locals chatted and ignored me.

Remarkably, they managed to fit a pool table into the tiny room.  No one was playing while I was there.

A sign over the servery says the name of the bar is in memory of the late Keith Larkin.  I can't think of a greater honour than that, what a fine tribute.  Maybe in the future you'll be drinking in the Merseypub Arms?  Or even the Phil Wieland Hotel?  Somehow I doubt it!

Six ticks, four new to me (Total now 1,566), that's more than enough for a day out - Time for home...

Pub of the day: Too close to decide.
Beer of the day: Paulaner
Miles walked: 1.8
Maybe coming soon: Southport

Shopping Again

I ran out of Er Guo Tou Jiu on Tuesday so it was time for a visit to Chinatown to replenish my supplies.  It continues to pain me that the exact same bottle that cost me about 50p in Beijing is twenty odd quid here.  Anyway, while I'm in this end of town it would be foolish to miss some required ticks.  I started at the Garden Bar & Cafe, more commonly known as the Bombed Out Church:

A pleasant - in good weather - garden where you have to order on the internet, which is a bit irritating when there are only about four customers, so I wander up to the shipping container which is the servery only to be rebuffed and instructed to use the QR code on the table.  Nevertheless, I got a good pint of real Budweiser.  In a plastic cup.

A little way along Berry Street we find Red Door:

This place has had a number of different names since I last was here as long ago as ought three.  Back then, or was it even earlier, there was a brewery in the front of the room.  Apart from that I can't remember what it looked like.  Anyway, in 2025 what we find is a large open room with very pleasant slightly quirky decor.  Five keg beers were on tap, I had Camden Hells.  I took a look at the extensive cocktail menu on my table.  Why no bloody Mary?

At two on a Friday the place was deserted, I think there was only one other customer.  The barman was busy chopping up limes for later cocktails.  Good grief, how many slices does he need?

Next, from Red Door to Red Dog:

This place advertises Austin TX barbeque food and I must say it smells and looks good.  Not busy at three on a Friday but ticking over nicely.  (I must confess that in my visit to Texas last year I didn't eat as much barbeque as I would have liked.  And none in Austin.)

I had a pint of the house lager which was good.  It came in a frozen glass which, in my opinion, just makes for a puddle on the table and doesn't improve the flavour.  The cynic in me says it masks the lack of flavour.

There's a decent stage for the live music, but no one performing at this time.  It occurred to me after a few minutes that there are a number of bars around Charlotte Street that will have someone on stage at this time on a Friday, I think this place is missing a trick there.

Finally, I'd just missed a train at home, so it's time for a swift White Rat in the wonderful Big House.  This pub doesn't get mentioned in the blog as often as it deserves, because I come in here every week with friends so it never gets a visit on an actual survey.  Until today.  What can I say?  Architectural gem, excellent ales, CAMRA discount, what more could one ask for?

Pub of the day: Vines
Beer of the day: White Rat
Miles walked: 2.3
Maybe coming soon: Crosby, Southport

Wavertree

A short bus ride took me to Wavertree for a mopping up operation.  I started in the Prince Alfred:

This rather well done out boozer hasn't changed much since my last visit which was in 2018.  A handful of cheerful regulars were scattered about the room, their chatter mixing with the quiet muzac.

Irritatingly, as soon as I had written that the barmaid walked round the room turning the volume up on umpteen TVs as there was a Liverpool football match coming up, so the main sound became the inanities of punditry from people I've never heard of.  I accelerated my drinking!

The match started, in a stadium with a roof on.  Ah, it's in Hong Kong, so just a money making operation.  Have I told the story of when I was working in Beijing and Man Utd came to play?  The taxi driver refused to take me home from the lab because there would be traffic jams near the stadium and unfortunately my cynical "It's only Man U, no one will come" was only in English so he didn't understand.  I dined in a curry house near work and then headed home later, to see on the internet that the stadium was mostly empty so I was right.

Talking of sport, England are now all out for 669 at Old Trafford, I'm hoping to go tomorrow to see them win, but maybe that'll happen this evening.

Next, the Rose Vaults:

This is something of a classic down market boozer, and none the worse for that.  

Just a handful of regulars in the pleasant partially knocked through interior.  It has something of an Oak Lodges (See this blog passim) layout with a raised seating area in one corner.

While I was enjoying my second Carling of the day, two large speakers, a mixing desk and various other paraphernalia came in, so I assume it's going to be noisy this evening, but right now it is peaceful and relaxed, my kind of boozer.

I looked around from my comfortable corner.  Down market maybe, scruffy or untidy certainly not.

India have slumped to 0 for 2, not looking good for tomorrow!

Next, a bit of a walk, passing pubs ranging from the wonderful to meh, because I've done them in the last five years, and on to the Handymans Supermarket which I haven't:

Only two other customers, I was sad to see.  I selected a pint of their own Pale, presumably brewed up on the mezzanine, and very tasty it was too.  Beer of the day so far (OK, Carling doesn't set the threshold very high!)

I think I might have commented before that having the brewery above the servery is asking for problems:  Anyone who believes you can brew ale without the occasional spillage is a fool, I hope they have appropriate drainage systems so the counter doesn't get an accidental shower of wort!

As I think I've noted before, this is a pleasant pub although it could do with some more comfortable chairs!  I could see in the back they also have the Liverpool match on a big screen but it doesn't intrude on the peaceful front room.  Why has no one got the cricket on?  India 6 for 2!

As I neared the end of my delicious pint, a steady stream of people came in.   They all knew each other and all the women had cowboy hats and yelled "yee hah" as they met.  I'm a little ashamed to say my first thought was of sympathy for the husbands who were going to have to put up with this all afternoon/evening.  On further thought, after a couple of beers it'll all be fun and I'd probably be happy to join them.

Just a few yards down the road is the Brookhouse:

I entered this pleasant food-led pub to see that most un-English of things, a queue at the counter.  Muttering under my breath, I lined up impatiently and soon had my Carling.

In the corner of my eye I could see the Liverpool match, at the end a Madrid player seemed to be dribbling the ball into an empty goal.  They lost 2-4.

Now where?  Just a few yards further on is Chamber Thirtysix:

Is this a restaurant or a bar, I wondered?  The friendly barmaid asked "are you here for food or a drink" when I approached the counter, so I think that ticks the box, and it can be included in the guide.  Only one font, so I had Asahi.

No other customers, just me and the invisible once she had served me barmaid.

I looked out of the window.  There's a black phone box on the other side of the road; do they still exist?  And why's it painted black?

I did my best to support the place by sitting at the front window, restaurants always look more attractive if you can see other customers.  I dined alone in a favourite curry house in London last Sunday, it was empty and they sat me in the front for precisely this reason.  (It didn't work, no one came in.  Perhaps I should have brushed my hair.)

That's five ticks, one brand new.  Time for home.

Pub of the day: Handymans
Beer of the day: Handymans Pale
Miles walked: 1.3
Maybe coming soon: Undecided.

Too Hot To Think Of A Title

I had two possible plans for today, a trip to Southport or a long and possibly fruitless walk around Toxteth.  In view of the hot weather coupled with my own laziness, I swerved both of them and instead decided on a mopping up operation in town.   (In my defence, I did a six pint crawl yesterday in Manchester, including three required Wetherspoons and the beautiful Baum in Rochdale.)

So, half past twelve found me in the air conditioned comfort of Brewdog:

It was pretty empty at this time, and I soon had a 2/3 of Fortnight, a rather splendid Baltic Porter.  Perhaps not an obvious choice for the hottest day of the year but I like to be contrary sometimes.  I wasn't sure if this is a Brewdog brew or a guest - Internet research eventually revealed it is brewed at the Brewdog in London.

Nothing had changed here since my previous visit back in 2019, the decor has a faux industrial style, and part of the servery is built from a shipping container.

Just a few other customers were in, in fact from where I was sitting I could only see one group of blokes.

Do they still make those "stupid" beers, forty or more percent, I always thought they were rather fun, and I would have imagined they would sell well to groups of competitive lads on a night out.

I contemplated the beer list.  I could stay here in the cool and try some of the more unusual craft offerings, but no, my duty is to get on with a survey, checking out all the bars so you don't have to!

Just around the corner is Mean Eyed Cat, never ticked before:

A really well done semi-basement, attractively decorated with corrugated iron and rough wood.

My Mean Eyed Lager was rather tasty, quite malty.

Only four other customers at one o'clock, I imagine this place does well in the evening.  It's good of them to open so early so I can survey it without staying out after my bedtime!

The music, perhaps a little too loud, was not what I expected, classic 70s rock (Steve Miller Band) is great.

Where next?  I'm now on a random "Go in anywhere that's due for a visit" stroll down Seel Street.  Immediately opposite the wonderful St Peters Tavern is never visited Peacock:

Another cool interior both literally and figuratively.  I stayed inside to enjoy my pint of Neck Oil, most customers seemed to go outside.  The stylish decor is hard to categorise.

I think I learned from overheard conversations at the counter that I've got here just in time as it is soon to close to be knocked through into next door, reopening with a different name (Did he really say Spit and Swallow?) after a few weeks.

Suddenly a group of at least a dozen blokes arrived, filling the space with chatter as they discussed what to drink and so on.

It's only ten to two and I've nearly finished three beers, this could be a short survey!  Actually, that was the idea in this weather, so let's see how we do...

Oh dear, my database seems to bear little relation to what's actually here on Seel Street.  Next, the Highball Club:

A tiny dark (apart from the very bright sun through the doorway) nightclub sort of place, all the walls are painted black, inside and out.  I guess this will be a rather fine club at midnight!

I had Stella Artois Unfiltered, which came in a generic glass so I could see it is actually hazy.  Am I fooled by that or does it really have more flavour?

As I enjoyed my cloudy lager more customers came in, by the time I was ready to leave the place was quite busy.

A little further down Seel Street there are a number of possible targets, I chose Kazimeer Garden:

Shame about that van!

This is a garden, albeit gravel not grass, partly open partly covered with a caravan for food at one side and a drinks counter at the far end.  Unlike all my previous ticks it was busy, I managed to get the last free table with just one stool, to enjoy my Paulaner.

It's quite unusual nowadays, smokers are welcome and there is an ashtray on each table.

They must be doing something right although I'm not sure what, to be this full at three.

The music here, mostly drowned out by the chatter, is once again of high quality, you can't do better than Stairway to Heaven, can you?

I wonder where the bogs are?  Ah yes, there is a sign...

Time for home, I think, although it's only just after three.  Wow, 4 new ticks taking the all-time total to 1,559 - Clearly I need to visit this end of Liverpool more often.

Pub of the day: Peacock
Beer of the day: Fortnight
Miles walked: 1.4
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Toxteth

The Middle Of Wirral

On a very grey day a long bus journey under the river eventually dropped me in Pensby for an "exciting" stroll dodging cars along a country road with no footpath to my first objective, the Fox & Hounds:

Apparently unchanged since my visit six years ago, this is a very pleasant up market dining operation which welcomes drinkers as well, offering them quality cask ales.

I sat in the drinking part of the rambling interior enjoying a Trappers Hat, there was no one else in this part of the pub.  I could see through the servery that there is a small wood-panelled snug with its own counter, presumably for the regulars.

This is a really nice place, if I were taking someone out for dinner in Wirral it would be high on my list.  (Depending, of course, on the person involved; most of my friends would prefer a Wetherspoon.  As would I.)

A group of four blokes about my age came in.  Multiple tasters and discussions later they ended up with a cider, a Guinness and two craft.

The whole place was worryingly quiet for two on a Saturday, with waiters and waitresses hanging around waiting for something to do, I expect they'll get more custom this evening.  Perhaps the grey weather has stopped some people going out.

Next, on to the Basset Hound:

Another dining place, perhaps not as posh as the Fox but still very nicely done.

I selected Old Golden Hen from the two handpumps, "it's Speckled" said the barman.  I resisted a rude "why don't you change the clip then" and enjoyed a fine pint.

Once again, mostly empty on a Saturday afternoon, trade really is thin today or perhaps this is normal now.

I perused the menu of mostly standard pub fare, and fish and chips is fourteen quid.  There's also a Specials menu, but since it is on a printed card it's not my idea of specials - something the chef picked up this morning.  On there, fish pie is £21.49, ouch.  It comes with peas and samphire, not sure I've ever eaten samphire which I think of as an East Anglian delicacy, but Google tells me it is also harvested in the Dee estuary.

As I enjoyed my pint more and more people came in, soon the pub was filled with chatter although there was still plenty of room for more custom.  It was quarter to three now, and England were in deep trouble at Edgbaston.

Later, when I got home, I checked how to spell the pub name.  I was amused to find that in my picture above it's Basset on the front of the pub, but Bassett on the A-board.  I think I'm going with one T, and my dictionary concurs.  Ooops, I see the picture caption in my book has it as Bassett, how embarrassing.

Next, somewhere I wasn't planning to visit.  Regular readers of this blog may be aware that I made a decision that Toby Carveries were not pubs, based on their website only mentioning food.  So I was intending to walk past the Toby Carvery Arrowe, but perhaps I ought to at least have a look:

In the beer garden at the front were a number of blokes of various ages enjoying drinks, so I wandered in and soon had a Carling.  So, somewhat to my disappointment, I need to reinstate each Toby in my database.  No, not a disappointment really, the more the merrier.

In or out questions aside, this is a very nice chain carvery where everyone else inside was eating, I think, and the food looked good, I could see plates piled up with meats, Yorkshire puddings and so on.

Just like the previous two places, there was plenty of space for a lot more customers, disappointing trade at half three on a Saturday.

Next, a short walk to the Arrowe Park:

Another nicely done food led pub, perhaps a little less up market than the previous ones, but still very good.

Once again, trade was a bit thin, they could do with at least fifty more customers, and the place still wouldn't be full.

No cask, so I had another Carling.  A significant proportion of the drinkers here were sitting outside, I as usual stayed indoors.

The giant screen distracted me, is it the British Grand Prix this weekend?  They seem to have a lot of closeups in the car nowadays.  Where is it, I went to Silverstone and Brands Hatch in the 70s and 80s but I lost interest a long time ago.  I'm sorry to say my strongest memory of Silverstone is being stuck in the mud in the car park afterwards.

The Toby has somewhat disrupted my plan for today, I think seven would be too many.  So I could go home now, but why not tick one nearby pub and then finish?  So, into the back streets to the Woodchurch:

What a contrast, this is a proper down market boozer, and there's nothing wrong with that.  I headed in the bar side because it was nearer door, to find a dozen or so customers but no staff.  I waited patiently, eventually giving up and heading towards the exit to try the lounge; there was no way between the two halves except via outside.  As I went for the door one of the regulars called out "she's gone to change a barrel", and moments later the barmaid appeared and poured me a Carling.

Gentle music and lively chatter were the soundscape in this classic boozer and after doing a number of dining places it was pleasing to visit a true locals' pub.

The decor in the bar side was plain but very well done, wooden floor, matchboarding counter front, (fake) bare brick walls, it looks really good.

OK, I think that's enough; there are two more pubs on my list for today but I'm not sure I can cope with seven ticks so I think I'll head for home now.  Five required ticks is good enough after all.  So the Wirral Hundred, wonderful though it is, and the Swan can wait for another time.

Pub of the day: Fox & Hounds
Beer of the day: Trappers Hat
Miles walked: 4.2
Maybe coming soon: Undecided

New Ones In Town

I headed into Liverpool to do some shopping (honest!) but soon found myself in new bar Harringtons:

Here I found a very pleasant bar on the ground floor, with the friendly barman and myself the only occupants.

I had Salt's Alpacalypse, a tasty enough IPA, and sat on a long bench seat along the wall.

There is more downstairs, which is where the former Ethical Glass was located, I think, although I never ticked that one.

I couldn't think of anything more to say about this place, it's a bit uninspiring to be honest, with no atmosphere at all.  Probably more exciting on a Friday night.  The music is too loud for a bar with only one customer, about right when it's packed.

Horse racing and tennis on the TVs, but where's the cricket?

Finally, another customer came in.  He ordered a pint of soda water.  I was impressed to see the charge was zero for this.  Many years ago I used to take a little abuse for having a free pint of soda water in the bar after a session in the gym at the late lamented Plessey Club.  My excuse was I had to drive home.

Next, a second new one, Lock Up Bar:

Another pleasant bar, lacking in atmosphere because there are only two other customers, nicely done out in plain style.

I was somewhat startled to see two handpumps, they offered Higson's Bitter and Higson's Pale, and the bitter was good.  Who brews it now?  Of course, it's Love Lane.

Next door is Hummingbird, but that doesn't open until four according to Google, so it will have to wait for another day:

So, on towards a third new one at the far end of Mathew Street.  But hang on, what's this half way along that tourist corridor?  How has Eric's escaped my database?  I think maybe it was more of a basement night club in the past.  Let's give it a try:

Bare brick and iron beams are the decor style in here, and a fella with a guitar was providing the musical entertainment, sadly to only three or four customers.  I thought he was very good and deserved a larger audience.

Eric's was a members' music club which opened here in 1976 and hosted many famous acts, from the Sex Pistols to OMD.  It closed in 1980.  Google seems rather vague about the use of the space since then, but at some point the interior was remodelled so that it is no longer a basement.

Above my head was a glass ceiling affording a view into the old fruit market auction room with desks almost like pews arranged around the auctioneer's stand.

After a few minutes I realised the hole in the wall at the back leads through into the rear of King John next door, and also into Rubber Soul so you could argue they are all one bar, but I'm claiming three.

Oh, wow, the live musician took a short break and then came back and did favourite song Wish You Were Here.  The last time I heard that performed in a pub was in the long gone Greyhound in Huyton back in 2005. I insisted my pals stay until it had finished.  Boast:  The time I saw it performed before that was at Maine Road in 1988.  By Pink Floyd.

More customers wandered in but the place was still pretty empty.

Next, on to the planned target at the end of Mathew Street, the very new Temple Tavern:

What a fine Irish bar this is, not over the top "plastic paddy", just well done out, wood panelling, bare brick and (fake) iron beams.

Guinness please, I said.  "Pint?" asked the barman.  Is there any other, I quipped.  Of course, the correct pour/settle/top-up process was used, with the barman serving another customer during the settle phase.  Usually in Liverpool if you say "Carling" or "Guinness" or whatever you get a pint without having to specify the size; perhaps here in the tourist zone they need to ask.

As you can see, the outside decor is a work in progress, and my time here was punctuated by drilling noises.

Well!  Four brand new ticks is a great score, especially for a shopping trip!

Pub of the day: Eric's
Beer of the day: Higson's Bitter
Miles walked: 2.1
Maybe coming soon: Barnston and Woodchurch

Unexpectedly Closed In St Helens

A train and a bus took me to the northern side of St Helens where I was to start in the Windle:

Bugger!!  It's not open.  Google says it is, as does their own website.

I headed on for a long walk to target number two, the Abbey:

Er, inside this doesn't look anything like what I remember.  Is my memory faulty or has it been totally remodelled?  Anyway, what we find now is a mostly knocked through interior but it still has some separation between the areas.  The decor, pastel walls or wallpaper in some rooms, is very busy with mirrors, pictures, photographs and the like.  I want to say there are too many of these giving the walls a cluttered feeling, but in fairness it actually works very well; I like it.

Only one cask on, but one is enough and my Holt Bitter was excellent.

Not very busy at all, just two outside and I could see only two inside, hardly enough to occupy the four staff.

I scanned the menu:  I've noticed before that somehow Holt's pubs manage to offer standard chain dining pub fare and yet give some better/uncommon choices.  Wexford chicken looks very tempting, and the fish cakes with poached eggs also seems to be an unusual option. I resisted the temptation to try the food.

Next, visible out of the window is the Gerard Arms:

Another very quiet food-led pub, this time belonging to Greene King.

The only cask was Old Speckled Hen, which was very good.  There were also two ciders on handpump.  Unusual to have more ciders than ales, perhaps, but I wonder if it is intentional because of the expected heatwave?

There were more people in the pleasant looking beer garden than in the partly knocked through interior.  The decor here is more quirky than the Abbey, and also well done.  I wonder if the Ionic column is actually holding up the ceiling or is it just for decoration.  Wait, it's actually Corinthian, I think, and I can also see a couple of Doric ones.  (Confession:  I had to consult Google to find out which is which. And if we're nitpicking, none of them are fluted, so not really Greek at all.)

Thanks to the loss of the Windle my plan is in a mess as the next target doesn't open until three according to Google, and it's only quarter to two.  So, a hasty replan and a mile walk to the Black Bull:

This place has apparently got the magic touch!  The beer garden is full of families with kids running around, inside are groups of all ages, how do they do it?  It was so full I couldn't get a table to sit at, and had to put up with a high chair and a shelf.  And a Fosters.

Inside the splendid 1920s building (Or maybe even earlier; see the enormous chimneys?) the decor is a little plain but none the worse for that.  Not a lot of original features survive, but I think the basic room layout does.

Compared with the previous two ticks, the atmosphere here is absolute bedlam, I think I would prefer a little peace but it is so good to see a pub doing well, especially an out-of-the-way one like this.

I'm not sure what the food offer is here; the table next to me had brought bags of popcorn and their own sandwiches.

Next, it's not very far to the Bird I' Th Hand, is that how you write it?  I can see my capitalisation is different to Google's, we'll let the sign adjudicate:

The sign is all capitals, of course, so it doesn't help with upper/lower case but, much more annoying than that, the place is closed.  Bugger, again.  The appearance suggests to me that it is out of action, not just late opening the doors, but I could be wrong.

On to the Eccleston Arms:

Open, thank goodness, and my concern that this one might have crossed the pub/restaurant boundary since I was last here was unwarranted.

The barmaid served me instantly and I had ordered a Carling before I spotted the Doom Bar pump, so I may have missed out on cask here.  However, my recollection of my 2020 visit is that the cask was horrible, so perhaps this was the best outcome.

Another very busy one, with a party of some sort in one room and a buffet in another (Ooh, tempting), and no empty tables in the other rooms, so I headed out to the pleasant beer yard for a table in the shade of the wall, to drink my lager.

Another one doing a roaring trade, drinks and food were coming out into the sunshine all the time.

What next?  There's a bus stop across the road from where I can get a bus home, so I think that's it for today.  A disappointing/irritating survey, I hope the Windle and the Bird are just late opening today, but I fear not.

Pub of the day: Black Bull
Beer of the day: Old Speckled Hen
Miles walked: 3.0
Maybe coming soon: Undecided