The train in to town broke all records for crush loading, but I just managed to squeeze myself on board. No danger of falling over when it lurched over the points! There's some rugger event at Everton, and Liverpool are at home for the late KO, no wonder the train is busy.
The train out of Central was much calmer and I was soon in Aigburth for a visit to Lark Lane. The plan was to walk to the far end noting new ones and closed ones, and then work my way back ticking as required. But it started raining so I quickly headed into the Masonic Arms:
This has changed name since I visited the Lodge in 2019. I'm trying and failing to remember what it looked like inside then, is it all different? In any case, what I found today was a large beautiful pub with fun antiquey decor, it really looks great.
About a dozen handpumps offered a good selection of ales, I chose an excellent Kirkstall Pale.
The background music was mostly drowned out by cheerful chatter from the many groups in here, it's doing pretty well at one on a Saturday, I'm pleased to report.
On yesterday's pub crawl (Glossop, Stalyvegas, Manchester) which I'm not blogging because it was mostly chat in familiar pubs, I had a bit of a disaster as I was enjoying pint number six, when I dropped this tablet. I initially thought I'd got away with it because it was still working, but on closer inspection the front glass is smashed at one end. As I type this it is still functional but I had to turn it the other way up so the "keyboard" isn't on the cracked part. The poor old thing was only months away from retirement, over five years old, so I guess it is time for a new one.
Next, Blondies:
I was expecting the "is it a bar or a restaurant" dilemma but once inside I found a pleasant cafe bar. Unfortunately it was deserted, I was the only customer. They don't do food in here, in fact signage on the door recommends Rhubarb across the road.
I selected Erdinger from the keg selection, sat on the long bench seat along the wall, and looked around. The decor is rather well done, I feel, although the Halloween stuff should be down by now!
The barmaid was humming along to the background music which was at the right volume for an empty bar.
In case you're wondering, the bar is, indeed, themed on Blondie/Debbie Harry, with black and white stripes on the drinks menu in the style of Parallel Lines.
Just over the road is Bar 25:
This is the one "ordinary" pub on Lark Lane and it's another one I haven't visited with its current name, it used to be the Parkfield.
A deep narrow corridor bar, plain, pleasant and comfortable. A little down market, at least compared with the other places around here, but there's nothing wrong with that. They've certainly got more customers than Blondies, which had two staff and just me.
I wonder if it is an intentional part of the "Bohemian" style of Lark Lane, that the mobile signal is very poor here? Do you think my new tablet will have better RF performance?
I emerged to find it was throwing it down, so I quickly hurried next door into the previously mentioned Rhubarb:
(The photo was taken earlier when the sun was shining)
Now this one is perhaps on the wrong side of the restaurant/bar line, but they were happy to serve me a pint so they get to be in the guide.
Unlike Blondies over the road, it was very busy here, in fact I was quite surprised they allowed a non diner in as there were very few free tables. While I enjoyed my beer the only other open table I could see became occupied so I think they might have been full. This was at half two on a Saturday, clearly they are doing things right. I looked around, a bloke was enjoying a splendid looking breakfast fry-up, I wonder how much that costs, I didn't get a food menu to peruse. He took some of it home, the wimp.
I looked out of the window, the briefly torrential rain had stopped. Over the road I could see people going in to Blondies so it isn't as empty as it was earlier.
If I'm allowed to complain (Of course I am) it was very chilly in here, I would have thought an operation this busy could afford some heating!
Again, the Halloween decor was still present, tut tut, but I suppose on the plus side at least they haven't got Christmas decorations yet!
The two attractive young ladies on the table next to mine had all day breakfasts, not what one expects (casual sexism), clearly they have better taste than I was thinking!
A group of nine came in, and were rebuffed, no space, this one is doing well.
Next, a little further along Lark Lane is the long standing Maranto's:
This bar/restaurant has been here longer than I have, as it opened in 1983 but it's not as old as the beautiful Grade II listed building. I wandered in and headed straight to the counter where I ordered a Guinness. I sat down in the restaurant area, oops, but the barman said it would be OK. I offered to move upstairs, he said you don't need to, but I've never been upstairs so I carried my pint up to the bar areas where I got a more comfortable seat at a table with no cutlery.
I should whinge that, not for the first time today, it was very cold in here and I kept my coat on.
On the (silent) TVs I could see Sky Sports News, that's good, it doesn't annoy anyone who isn't interested. Cambridge, the city of my birth, progressed to 2-0 up, and it's only 15:36. It's our kid who really follows them, I'm sure he'll be happy.
I must say that this place is doing really well with large numbers of happy customers enjoying food and drink, it's really busy in here.
How about that, two brand new ones and three overdue ones, what more could one ask? OK, the answer to that is more real ales, I only got one! I've got a vague recollection that last time I was on Lark Lane I got an Uber to take me home, that seems a bit unnecessary, I think I'll walk back to the station for a train into town, I'll probably be there before the home-going rush. I marched briskly back to the station, only to find that the train was ten minutes late, I could have taken it easy.
Beer of the day: Kirkstall Pale
Miles walked: 1.1
Maybe coming soon: Southport
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