I headed into town to do some shopping, but of course I'm going to tick a pub while I'm there. Last week I learned of the existence of Scruffy Murphy's on Harrington Street, a location hitherto unknown to me, so why not head there? Of course if I've missed one there might be more so I took a stroll along the street. There is a new one coming, the Echo says it is to be called Harringtons, located in the former Ethical Glass but the builders are still in so it wont get ticked today; they hope to open in May. Then there is the Baby Croc and the Crocodile, which I had in the wrong order on my map. And finally, in the former Pen & Wig and Aphrodite's, another place unknown to me: Abbey Road. Let's start there:
A rather well done modern bar, I think. TVs for sports, two pool tables and a table football one as well in the comfortable back room with booths around the walls.
My Carling was only three quid, it was slightly delayed by problems with the card machine which didn't want to work so my offer of cash instead was gratefully accepted by the friendly barmaid.
I scanned the food menu, burgers, pizzas, wraps and the like, it looks rather good. For eighty quid you can have one of each burger - I think that's seven - along with sides and if you finish it in forty minutes it's free and you win a bucket of beers for you and your mates. I've always fancied a career as a competitive eater but, despite being something of a greedy pig I don't think I would be very good at it.
When I arrived, the sole customers were one group of half a dozen woman who were noisily enjoying a boozy lunchtime. Soon, they were silenced by the delivery of a lot of food! As I drank my beer two more people came in for a game of pool, and then more customers arrived. Eventually the music was drowned out by cheerful chatter.
Next, the Crocodile:
Why haven't I been in here since 2012? I was somewhat stunned by the beautiful historic interior of which I had no memory at all. I wonder how much of it is modern-ish fake but I don't really care because I like it a lot. Some of the "cut glass" windows are clearly modern replacements but there was also some old-looking leaded glass panels.
A number of customers were keeping the place ticking over as I enjoyed another Carling.
Next door across the courtyard is the Baby Croc, I think it's only there for live acts? Not open now, anyway, so it stays on the never visited list.
Next, the original reason for my coming here, Scruffy Murphy's:
Down stairs from the street is a large beautifully done out basement bar. Definitely no excess of Irish decor, the whole place is tastefully decorated.
There were more customers in here than I expected, probably two dozen or more, and the main sound was multiple conversations. Plenty of room for more, though, and I took my Guinness (what else?) to a small table.
I noted a small stage area, I guess they do live music sometimes.
I scanned the menu. The food comes from "sister venue Abbey Road" where I've just been. I guess someone has to dash along the road - Don't order if it's snowing!
When I was wondering where to have my one pint on today's shopping trip I was surprised to find that I haven't recorded a visit to the Wetherspoon Welkin for over five years, making it overdue for a tick. All thoughts of my shopping mission forgotten, I headed there next:
Ah, now I remember why I rarely come here. This pleasant Spoons on two floors was packed out, as always, and after queuing to be served for a minute or so I took my pint of Jaipur on a tour of the whole pub before finding one free table upstairs by the toilet doors. I have had a number of pints of this favourite ale during their "on in every pub" promotion, but this is the first one to be served in a branded Jaipur conic.
You know what a busy Wetherspoon is like, families with kids having lunch, groups of blokes out on the ale, solo drinkers and the occasional pub surveyor.
Four required ticks, including two brand new ones, that's pretty good for a day when I wasn't intending a survey at all. I still managed some of my planned shopping on the way back to Lime Street for the train home.
Beer of the day: Jaipur
Miles walked: 1.6
Maybe coming soon: Walton, Aintree, Anfield
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