I headed out on a sunny Thursday for a train ride to St Helens, starting my researches in a new (ish) one, the Tipsy Tap:
A rather fine shop conversion, this one. It was ticking over nicely at two on a Thursday with a dozen or so customers.
The decor, mainly bare brick walls and wood effect floor, is well done. Two different sports channels were occupying multiple televisions, all silent, and the only sounds were gentle muzac and multiple conversations. I looked round from my seat; this is quite a big place with a number of side areas and rooms, so plenty of space at busy times.
My pint of Landlord was, perhaps, a little tired; maybe the first out of the pump today. Drinkable, anyway.
On my walk to the Tipsy Tap I had passed by a place previously unknown to me, the Barrow Street Lounge, so it would be foolish not to attempt a tick there:
This one is a little odd. A large shop conversion - It's got two front doors so maybe two shops. Inside all the walls are painted black, but decent lighting means it is not excessively gloomy. Four pool tables, three darts boards and one of those boxing machines indicate the people they are aiming to attract.
At half two on a Thursday there were two playing darts, two playing pool and that was about it as far as custom was concerned.
I sat in a little booth and enjoyed a pint of Guinness.
The sounds in here were, again, background muzac and chatter.
Two brand new ones, what next? How about a wonderful pub overdue for a revisit? The Cricketers. But once again, my plan was disrupted, in a good way, because as I headed in that direction I passed the former Punch Tarmey's which my records said had become a night club called Kingdom, which had then closed. Not so any more as I found a bar called Buzzby's:
The layout inside looks the same as Punch Tarmey's, but the decor is now American themed.
Just two or three other customers at three o'clock as I enjoyed my first Carling of the day.
I'm still persevering with Untappd at the moment, but this is the second place today that isn't on there. I realise that it isn't really the market they are aiming at, but surely it would be better to list everywhere that sells beer? Oh wait, it is there but as Punch Tarmey's, they are only five years out of date. Oh well, I got a tick here, anyway. I wonder how many pubs I've logged in total? Ah, you have to pay to get that figure. Stuff that.
OK, on to the Cricketers, at last:
This fantastic pub is as wonderful as ever, and remarkably busy compared with the previous ticks. I eyed up the wide range of handpumps and selected King Rat, a slightly stronger version of all time favourite White Rat. It was lovely, 5.0 on Untappd.
In this great pub the music was mostly drowned out by multiple conversations. Most tables were occupied but I managed to find a free one.
I must say it is surprising to find a boozer with so many customers at four on a Thursday, clearly they are doing everything right. They won pub of the year more than once, obviously it is well deserved. I wondered why this place is so successful; other pubs offer quality real ales but aren't as busy as this. I don't know what their secret is, but long may they continue!
Just down the road is the Golden Lion:
This was a plain traditional boozer where I tasted a pint of Double Diamond many years ago, at a time when it had become rare. Is it open on a Thursday afternoon? Is it open at all?
Sadly, it would appear to be finished, just one of the many "ordinary" boozers that have been lost over the last few years.
Two new ones, one unexpected tick and one absolute gem, I think that's enough for a Thursday, I'll head home. The further pubs I had intended to visit, Black Bull, Eccleston Arms, Bird I 'Th Hand and so on, will have to wait for another day.
Beer of the day: King Rat
Miles walked: 1.9
Maybe coming soon: Childwall, Litherland
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