Southport Again

The sun's shining bright, let's head to Southport again.  This time I'm going to start at Connolly's:

The roadworks outside precluded a good picture, I'm afraid. 

Last time I was here, back in '04, it was called the Coronation.  Since then I had recorded it as closed, but here it is in a new guise; a rather fine Irish pub, happily lacking the excessive "Irish" decor. 

There were two handpumps on the counter but the clips were turned round  so I had a Guinness.

My attention was caught by a notice on the TV screens offering free Guinness.  For the first six minutes of Ireland games in the Six Nations.  I wonder what the T&Cs are?  Presumably you have to finish one before you get another.  I think I would see this as a challenge, I reckon I could down two and demand a third before the six minutes were up, although with umpteen other customers also ordering it might not work.

This is a rather fine pub, warm and comfortable.  The barmaid was chatting to the regulars, the whole atmosphere was friendly - I like it. 

I wandered on.  Metro used to be a hotel bar which actively invited non residents, but today it was shut.  On to the Scarisbrick Hotel:

There are three bars inside, at least one of which offers real ale, but the whole complex is closed for maintenance work, that'll teach me to try Southport in February!

Onwards along Lord Street to a new one I had noted on my last visit, Casablanca:

I entered a long narrow shop conversion very well decorated with a green colour scheme, with lots of plants everywhere.  (Probably all plastic?)  I really liked the overall effect.

The barmaid, who was chatting with a friend at a table out front, followed me in and soon poured a Wainwright Gold from one of the two handpumps on the counter.  I noted it was fake cask but who cares, it tastes good enough.  Oooh controversial, that'll get me drummed out of CAMRA!  The pump clip had "brewery conditioned ale" on it to make things clear.  The other pump offered Hobgoblin IPA with no such warning, so was it real?  I doubt it.

No wonder all those places are closed, no one else was in here and I had the place to myself as I enjoyed my pint which, incidentally, came in a Wainwright glass. 

After all those failures I had to replan my survey, Corridor is overdue a revisit so let's try there:

Eight or nine customers makes this place a lot less empty than the last one.  In 2018 I enjoyed some good real ale, today there were no visible handpumps and in fact for a moment I thought there was no draft beer at all until I realised there was a row of keg taps behind the servery.  I selected Guinness from the range of standards.

Another place where the decor is very good, here it's understated with a touch of faux-industrial lighting. 

Most of the other customers were eating, but I couldn't reach a menu from where I was sitting so I can't comment on the range. I didn't want to get up and grab a menu because then they would think I was going to order food.

Where next?  Just round the corner are two never visited places so let's have a look.  Le Grog doesn't appear to be open:

But Sacrebleu two doors down is:

Continuing today's theme, this one is very well decorated, bare brick and blue painted wood panels down the walls, with a remarkable plain smoothed concrete floor. 

I selected the lovely Neck Oil from the standard range of taps. At five quid it was the most costly beer so far, but that's hardly expensive. 

The friendly barman seemed to know all the customers (except me, of course) which is often an indication of a good pub. 

I watched the barman pour a Guinness Zero from a can.  If I selected no alcohol beers perhaps I could manage more pubs in a survey?  I have resolved to try Guinness Zero next time I see it on draught because I'm told it is the best no alcohol beer available.  Not from a can, though. 

Next, there's a more traditional pub I haven't been in for over five years, so why don't we finish in the Masons Arms:

So this is where everyone is!  The tiny boozer was pretty full, so having got my pint of Plum Porter, gorgeous, I had to stand for a few minutes until a corner became available and I could sit next to the warm fire in a tiny side room.

What can I say?  A classic boozer, a Robinson's house, beautiful inside and deservedly doing a good trade at five on a Thursday.  

They even had Old Tom on draught, maybe I should have selected that for its rarity, but I went for a favourite instead. 

People went out and people came in, the pub continued to be full, so even in February a quality boozer can get enough custom.  Well done! 

Five required ticks, one of them brand new, and finishing with an absolute classic - Another great survey.

I'm hoping to be at Wigan Beer Festival on Saturday, the usual offer is available: If you recognise me I'll autograph your copy of the Merseyside Pub Guide book!  (If you bring one.)  By the way, talking of the book, the 2025 edition has been delayed but I hope to get things moving in the next couple of weeks.

Pub of the day: Masons Arms 
Beer of the day: Plum Porter
Miles walked: 1.6
Maybe coming soon: Litherland, Upton

Valentine's Day

It's too cold for a long walk, and tomorrow is forecast to be wet, so let's do a few in town. 

I started just across the road from Lime Street Station, in Boom Battle Bar:

I must say the exterior as you approach the entrance is hardly attractive, but it's better once you get in.

This is another of those games places, like Gravity Max I sampled last year.  At one on a Friday it was understandably empty, with just four other customers I could see, two playing pool and the other two disappeared round the corner carrying darts.  Also in the large space they offer shuffleboard, golf, basketball shooting, axe-throwing and so on. 

The former car park or storage area is part of the St John's Centre, quite a clever use of otherwise redundant space I think.  Black painted walls and ceiling and a concrete floor, all lit with distracting neons, gives the place a gloomy feel at this time but I imagine at nine this evening it will be lively and fun.  It's unlikely I'll be coming back to find out, though. 

My Guinness cost £6.50, standard pricing for this sort of place, I guess. No one comes in here just for a drink, I think! 

So, in conclusion, probably a great place for a good night out with a group of friends, but not really my sort of bar!

On to Bundobust.  Bugger!  I forgot to take a photo. 

I climbed up the stairs and went through the doors to find a colourfully decorated shed of a canteen.  I was pleased to see a couple of handpumps on the counter next to an impressive array of craft keg taps.  Only one handle was in use, Galaxy & Simcoe is a Bundobust badged brew which means Thornbridge make it which pretty much guarantees I'll like it, and it was very good. 

Something of a snag at the bar, the credit card machine wouldn't work because the WiFi was down.  I offered to pay by cash but they don't take it, so two friendly apologetic bar staff had to work to get the gizmo back on line.

I selected a table by the window so I could look out over Bold Street.  There were lots of people going up and down but here and the noodle bar and shops over the road seemed very quiet. 

Some of the walls are covered in old doors.  Now that's a decor style I haven't seen since the Tut 'n' Shive chain back in the nineties which even used doors for the ceiling.

As I enjoyed my delicious hazy pale there was a very slow trickle of customers.  Everyone else seemed to be eating which is, after all, what this place is really about.

This pub has unisex toilets.  At least I really hope it does because if not, I used the ladies! 

With two new ones under my belt, how about a classic?  The Grapes:

This pub has undergone quite a few changes since I first came here in the nineties.  A "Porter's Ale House" with no cask, a rather scruffy dump with great real ale and, most recently, a pleasant clean and tidy pub with the same excellent cask. 

The gorgeous real ale continues, I selected Four Star Daydream stout from Black Lodge which must be about half a mile from here, a really creamy smooth stout.

A slight delay getting served because three girls had ordered five pints of Guinness which took some time with the fill-stand-topup process.  I'm assuming there were more of them round the corner, or maybe it was a heavy afternoon's drinking and they wanted two pints each! 

This pub was ticking over gently at three on a Friday afternoon.

I've always been fond of this place, although some of my friends were rather put off by the "scruffy" era, and I can't really blame them, it was a dump for a while.  It is amusing to see that the "Porter's Ale House" signage has survived in the presumably 90s stained glass panels.

I think another classic is called for, so let's try Ye Cracke:

Recent reports have suggested the real ale offer here is not as good as it used to be, in fact I came here a few years ago with some friends and we walked straight out.  Let's see...  

"Only" three cask ales on, but my Skinful from Beartown was spot on so what more could one ask.  The friendly landlady commented that it was Valentine's Day, I complained that I hadn't got any one to take out, she said it's a ripoff and the restaurants put their prices up for the day.

As I sat down the place was fairly quiet, with just a handful of customers.  Suddenly the sound level increased massively, and a pub crawl of about twenty blokes came in.  Needless to say it took quite a while for them all to be served, and the noise level remained high.  Good for the pub's takings, of course, and I was pleased to see that a significant proportion of them were on the cask ale.  Just a few lagers and Guinnesses.

One more on the way back to the station?  It's only a quarter to four.  I tried new ticks Tom Thumb and Outpost but neither are open yet.  Hmph.  It's starting to rain, I'm off home.

Pub of the day: Grapes
Beer of the day: Four Star Daydream
Miles walked: 1.9
Maybe coming soon: Litherland, Upton

Southport

Let's head off to Southport on a sunny Thursday; my second visit here this year.  I began my research at George's Place:

This is a tiny shop conversion, mainly aiming at coffee drinkers at half past one, but there are four keg taps on the counter, so let's have a Brixton Reliance.

The very attractive decor features lots of greenery, both real plants and wallpaper, along with rough bare brickwork walls. 

A number of coffees were prepared and delivered, mostly to outside tables, before the busy barman/barista poured my tasty Brixton and brought it to me. 

I'm not sure exactly what it is about this cafe/bar but I really like it.  I was surprised how many people wanted to sit outside, it was way too cold for me out there, and comfortably warm inside.

Next, a short stroll to the smallest pub in the country (Pah!), the Lakeside Inn:

I think I was the first customer just ten minutes after opening time but I'm pleased to be able to report that the Pride Of Pendle was fine.  And only three quid.

This place hasn't changed for years, it remains a small comfortable pleasantly decorated bar serving quality ales, what more could one want? 

However, I would like to renew my objection to its record claims, surely the Nutshell in Bury (St Edmunds, not Manchester) is much smaller.  In fact, George's where I've just been probably had less space in the main room than here. 

Two customers came in, a pint and a wine, then they headed outside.  What is it with people in Southport, it's freezing out there!  Of course, they probably want a smoke.  Then two more, who stayed inside, and then two more.  It's doing quite well for a chilly Thursday, I'm pleased to see. 

A very short walk to another good pub, the Windmill:

Another one unchanged for years, it is a pleasant comfortable boozer with quality cask ales, as it has always been. 

I selected Fuzzy Duck Citra from the three cask ales.  I must say I wasn't that keen on it, something in the flavour put me off.  I don't think there was anything wrong with the cellar or the pour, it's just a beer I don't like much. 

A handful of customers were not keeping the two staff (one in the kitchen) busy.  I checked the menu, nine quid for fish chips and peas is pretty good value.  A big bowl of food came out so I thought a customer was eating but no, it was the barman's lunch.  A few minutes later a new customer called in and ordered a steak.

Now, how about some more new ones?  The Crafty Dog:

A very pleasant shop conversion where the friendly barman/owner poured me a Cruzcampo and then chatted, I being the only customer.  We discussed various topics including pubs in Huyton, pubs in Southport, and the furniture in here, which he had made: A great job; old Singer sewing machine frames with second hand timber tops are a fine addition to the atmosphere.

It hadn't occurred to me before that the continued presence in the news of Southport following last year's massacre and riots might be a reason for a shortage of custom six months later. 

Literally next door is another shop conversion called Kokomo:

Warmer and busier than next door, this one has a lot more customers.  The decor is pleasant but I think I prefer the Crafty Dog on that score.  Clearly, the majority of customers disagree, zero next door and eight in here.

Most of the customers seem to know the barman so are clearly regulars in here.

Two cask ales and three brand new ticks, what more could one want for a Thursday survey.  Why am I out on a Thursday?  Because it's the BBBB (Bent and Bongs Beer Bash) on Saturday; see you there!  As I've said before, bring your book and get it signed, but only if you can recognise me.  (Hint:  I might be wearing a Merseyside Pub Guide teeshirt.)

Pub of the day: Lakeside Inn
Beer of the day: Moorhouses Pride Of Pendle
Miles walked: 1.4
Maybe coming soon: Undecided.

This Could Be The Last Time

Everton are at home with a three o'clock kickoff, so I seized the opportunity to make some long overdue visits to pubs around the ground.  This might be the last time I come here before many of them close for ever.

First, a quick check of the Melrose Abbey to see if any of my Evertonian friends are around.  But it's shut.  Am I too early or has it gone for good?

Next, a short walk to the Melrose which has been closed for so many years that I never managed to tick it:

It was boarded up and rather decrepit last time I looked but it seems like someone is taking care of it now.

Next, on to the first target of the afternoon, the Albany:

One hour before KO this is unsurprisingly jam packed.  I squeezed my way to the counter and soon got a pint of Carling. 

After standing for a few minutes I spotted a vacant table so I could sit down.  It was a great relief to peel off my winter coat; it was like a sauna in here!  I relaxed and wrote my notes.

I looked around and considered 2025 fashions:  Pretty much everyone except me had a black coat.  Jeans were de rigeur as well.

I tried to imagine this place on a non football day.  A rather pleasant comfortable two sided traditional boozer I think, as indeed it was last time I came here, on a Tuesday afternoon in 2018.

Next the Brick:

Originally the Prince Albert, nicknamed the Red Brick, they switched to the nickname for a while but later had to drop the Red when it was painted white.

Busy but thinning out rapidly as three o'clock approached.  One large open room, well cared for, with a tiny stage in the corner.

Lots of people were coming down stairs and heading off to the ground, so there must be a large space upstairs, I don't know if it's another bar or a function room. 

As I approached the bottom of my Carling the pub was much emptier, with about two dozen non-attenders scattered around.  The staff gradually collected in tons of glassware.

Good grief, Everton were 1-0 up in the first minute!  [ Officially, scored at ten seconds ]  I headed to the gents before departure, now it's 2-0!

Just a short stroll down County Road from here to the Royal Oak:

The pre-match empties had all been cleared away in this large pub, basically a big square room surrounding a four-sided servery.

A steady trickle of customers were keeping the place ticking over.

I've got some dodgy memories of this place, the first time I came here was in the evening after a derby match, and my strongest recollection is of crunching across the broken glass to get to the counter! 

On to the Leigh Arms:

For a moment I thought this was shut but that's just one side door, the main door was open.  Inside, a traditional boozer knocked through to create one pleasant comfortable room surrounding the servery.

I'd noticed this last time I was here; the regulars all sit at the counter and chat to each other and the barmaid.  I recall standing back while ordering my pint in order to avoid blocking the regulars' view of the tellies.  I also remember being told not too worry, "we can see the other TV".

Today, I was the only person to sit away from the counter on the bench seats running round the room, to sink my Carling.

I think this might be my favourite of today's boozers, something about the well maintained interior and the cheerful friendly regulars makes it a great pub. 

Everton were now 3-0 up at half time. 

One more before I head for home, the Barlow Arms:

My final call was surprisingly busy, I had to stand at the counter to sink my fifth Carling.  The two sided pub was full of people watching the Liverpool match on TV.  (They were winning 1-0.)

This one, perhaps, doesn't depend as much on Everton matches so may do just as well next season?  Let's hope so.  It is a rather attractive boozer, and the splendid bar back is, I think, genuine.

Time for home.  The big question is, which of today's ticks do I think will still be operational in a year's time?  Frankly, it's too hard to decide, and also I wouldn't want to "jinx" any of these by marking them as potential failures, so I'm not going to say.  However, I do fear that, for many of the pubs around here, This could be the last time, Maybe the last time, I don't know.

Pub of the day: Leigh Arms
Beer of the day: Carling
Miles walked: 1.9
Maybe coming soon: Undecided.