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.
Beer of the day: Plum Porter
Miles walked: 1.6
Maybe coming soon: Litherland, Upton
No comments:
Post a Comment