Maghull

I set off on what was going to be a rather hot day, perhaps I was unwise to plan a ticking mission which involved long walks.  But maybe it won't.  I took the train to Maghull North from where it was an easy stroll to the Old Post Office:

Last time I was around here it was unexpectedly shut, no such problem this time and I entered a pleasant single room shop conversion.  Nicely decorated in the currently fashionable shades of grey, plus some bare brick wallpaper on one wall.

Five regulars were chatting and the friendly barmaid soon poured me a Carling.

It's happened before and it'll probably happen again:  Why is that bloke staring at me, I wondered?  Of course I was sitting underneath a screen on which the racing was being shown, and he was filling in betting slips. I must learn that it's not always about me!

Next, a bar I walked straight past without noticing shortly after it first opened.  I'm hoping for some decent ale in what is effectively Neptune's brewery tap, the Neptune Beerhouse:

Surprisingly empty at two o'clock, with only two other customers who were chatting to the barman.  My pint of Neptune Abyss was wonderful, as expected. And it came in a lined Neptune conic.

Next comes a long walk, or so I thought until I fired up Google Maps to tell me how far it would be, and it showed AJ's Cocktail Bar, just a few steps down the road.  I'd never even heard of that, so let's give it a try first:

What I found was a tiny shop conversion, probably only one quarter of the space Neptune had.  The decor, dark colouring, is very attractive, someone has obviously put a lot of effort in to the styling of this small space, and it shows.

Only two keg taps offering Estrella Damm and Poretti, I chose the former and it came in the correct glass.  No sign of any other customers, just me and the young barman who was keeping busy cleaning and tidying up.  Reading back what I've just written, I need to add that the place was already clean and mostly tidy, he was mainly sorting out cocktail menus and putting them on each table, and wiping the already clean counter.

If I'm allowed a minor negative comment, the array of mops, buckets and cleaning sprays in the front window would be better hidden out the back somewhere.

I chatted with the barman about why I was here and where I was going next, he asked the question I often hear, "Which is your favourite pub?" and I remembered the smart answer, which is "the one I'm in".

Now, just across the road is a rather odd looking place called Milly's which has been in my database, unvisited, for umpteen years.  It has limited opening hours, I think, so I'd never been in.  But it is open now, so let's go:

Well, that wasn't what I expected at all:  A large bar, plus a roof terrace, I imagine it's packed late evenings but at half three on a Saturday it is ticking over with about half a dozen customers plus me.

The decor inside is totally over the top, sparkly ceiling and walls and lots of neon signs, and I have to say, rather well done.

Now, four pints to the good, do I trek miles across the desert in the blazing sun (Hyperbole) to the next target or do I choose the lazy option and go back to the station for a train home.  I think you know me well enough by now; I took the easy way.  I was particularly pleased with three brand new ticks bringing the grand total to 1,569.

Pub of the day: Neptune Beerhouse
Beer of the day: Neptune Abyss
Miles walked: 2.2
Maybe coming soon: Southport

New Ones In Crosby

Clearly my FOMO and consequent monitoring of local events is not working because when I arrived at Huyton station I was startled to find it and the train were packed with Everton fans.  Has the footie started already?  The internet soon informed me that it is a friendly, the final test event for the new stadium.  Once the train from Central got to Sandhills it emptied out, and I proceeded as planned to Crosby town centre.

Or, at least, most of the way there.  As I approached I spotted what could possibly be a bar I've never heard of.  Round Eight:

And indeed it is.  Concentrating on wine and cocktails, but with eight keg taps offering a good range of beers many of which I'd never heard of.  I should have had something new but instead I stayed safe and boring with Paulaner.

The bare brick, rough wood, and dark green tiling make for a very attractive interior.

Only one other customer, who was sitting at the counter and chatting with the barman, later they were joined by another regular, and then four more came in, not bad for two on a Saturday.

Continuing on my planned course, I headed for ...  Oh, but wait, here's another one I've never heard of, Winners Wine Bar:

In here I found a plain but well done shop conversion, bigger than it at first appeared with a back room off to the side.

From the array of standard keg brews I selected Shipyard.

In the back room were a number of people enjoying fish and chips, creating a hunger inducing smell throughout the place!  There were also seven of us in the front room, so the place was ticking over nicely.

Can I finally reach a planned tick?  Yes, Murphy's Tavern:

This used to be Blue's bar, but it doesn't look the same inside, so have I got that wrong?  What we have here is a very attractive open room with gentle Irish theming.  In line with the theme I had Guinness.  Not packed but ticking over well at nearly three.

The menu of pub standards looks rather good, and well priced.

My recollections of Blue include a pizza oven, but I can't see that now.  The more I look around the more I think it's not the same place?  Or perhaps they've just totally gutted and redone the space.  Studying my photos and notes when I got home showed that the former Sports Bar side has now been split off as a coffee shop.  And there was, indeed, an open kitchen with a pizza oven.

Immediately beside Murphy's is a little door labelled McNamara's Sports Bar, so I entered and climbed the stairs to find a surprisingly large pool hall, with just a few customers paying pool and also darts.  I'm not sure if you are supposed to play, but the barman seemed happy to sell me a pint of Carling so I'm getting the tick!

Of the half a dozen customers at just after three, I was the only one not participating, but there are a few tables and chairs near the counter for us drinkers.

Next, maybe another new one I didn't know existed, what is Piloto Lounge?

I hesitated for a moment at the "Please wait to be seated" sign and was quickly captured by a friendly waitress.  "Can I just come in for a drink?" I asked, "Yes of course, order at the bar" was the welcoming reply.

So, moments later I was enjoying a pint of Cruzcampo in a quiet corner of the busy restaurant.

I examined the menu, I must say it looks rather good.

I rather like the decor in here, bare bricks and naked beams with umpteen old lampshades makes for a quirky fun style.

All the unexpected new ones have rather messed up my plans, and there are three more overdue ticks around here, one of which is just round the corner.  Maybe I should tick six?  After all, it's only a quarter to four.  (I would like to head for home before the footie kicks out)

OK, Larkins it is:

A down market but still spotlessly clean and tidy boozer to finish my Crosby survey, I think the Endbutt and the Edinburgh will have to wait until next time.

All except me were clearly regulars who knew each other and the friendly barmaid.

I sat at the back of the small room, and enjoyed my pint of Carling while all the locals chatted and ignored me.

Remarkably, they managed to fit a pool table into the tiny room.  No one was playing while I was there.

A sign over the servery says the name of the bar is in memory of the late Keith Larkin.  I can't think of a greater honour than that, what a fine tribute.  Maybe in the future you'll be drinking in the Merseypub Arms?  Or even the Phil Wieland Hotel?  Somehow I doubt it!

Six ticks, four new to me (Total now 1,566), that's more than enough for a day out - Time for home...

Pub of the day: Too close to decide.
Beer of the day: Paulaner
Miles walked: 1.8
Maybe coming soon: Southport

Shopping Again

I ran out of Er Guo Tou Jiu on Tuesday so it was time for a visit to Chinatown to replenish my supplies.  It continues to pain me that the exact same bottle that cost me about 50p in Beijing is twenty odd quid here.  Anyway, while I'm in this end of town it would be foolish to miss some required ticks.  I started at the Garden Bar & Cafe, more commonly known as the Bombed Out Church:

A pleasant - in good weather - garden where you have to order on the internet, which is a bit irritating when there are only about four customers, so I wander up to the shipping container which is the servery only to be rebuffed and instructed to use the QR code on the table.  Nevertheless, I got a good pint of real Budweiser.  In a plastic cup.

A little way along Berry Street we find Red Door:

This place has had a number of different names since I last was here as long ago as ought three.  Back then, or was it even earlier, there was a brewery in the front of the room.  Apart from that I can't remember what it looked like.  Anyway, in 2025 what we find is a large open room with very pleasant slightly quirky decor.  Five keg beers were on tap, I had Camden Hells.  I took a look at the extensive cocktail menu on my table.  Why no bloody Mary?

At two on a Friday the place was deserted, I think there was only one other customer.  The barman was busy chopping up limes for later cocktails.  Good grief, how many slices does he need?

Next, from Red Door to Red Dog:

This place advertises Austin TX barbeque food and I must say it smells and looks good.  Not busy at three on a Friday but ticking over nicely.  (I must confess that in my visit to Texas last year I didn't eat as much barbeque as I would have liked.  And none in Austin.)

I had a pint of the house lager which was good.  It came in a frozen glass which, in my opinion, just makes for a puddle on the table and doesn't improve the flavour.  The cynic in me says it masks the lack of flavour.

There's a decent stage for the live music, but no one performing at this time.  It occurred to me after a few minutes that there are a number of bars around Charlotte Street that will have someone on stage at this time on a Friday, I think this place is missing a trick there.

Finally, I'd just missed a train at home, so it's time for a swift White Rat in the wonderful Big House.  This pub doesn't get mentioned in the blog as often as it deserves, because I come in here every week with friends so it never gets a visit on an actual survey.  Until today.  What can I say?  Architectural gem, excellent ales, CAMRA discount, what more could one ask for?

Pub of the day: Vines
Beer of the day: White Rat
Miles walked: 2.3
Maybe coming soon: Crosby, Southport