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