I started the year on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon, can I begin with a line from a well known Christmas song? The wind goes right through you, it's no place for the old.
I was heading for Waterloo; as I ran through my pre-flight checklist this morning I discovered the existence of some bars of which I wasn't aware. Could we be in for some new ones?
I started at Always & Sometimes:
This pleasant shop conversion has large windows onto the street giving it a bright airy feel inside. Eight keg taps on the back wall but, more interestingly, two handpumps on the counter. I selected Neptune Salthouse Blonde. A bit bland perhaps, or is that just because I've got a cold? (Again)
The barman, one customer drinking tea and I were the sole occupants at half one, I really hope they get more later. Perhaps if they turned the heat up it would be more popular!
The "old firm" match was on the telly, I tried to ignore it but you just get sucked in, don't you. Rangers equalised as I watched.
After one brand new tick I think I need to walk past lots of pubs to find some more new ones, if I can...
Fifty6 was shut as it always is when I pass.
Bodega Del Lobo was holding a private party, drat!
Behind the small bright red frontage is a beautifully decorated restaurant bar which stretches back a long way, with much more space than the frontage suggests.
At two on a Saturday there was a fair smattering of customers, most but not all were eating. I had a pint of Neck Oil and relaxed in the comfortably warm front room. (There was an icy blast when the door opened.)
Eventually the other drinkers in my end of the place decided to order food putting me in a minority of one as far as drinkers are concerned. I couldn't see how many people were in the back rooms, though.
I think that's the end of the new ones, I'll have to do a few places last visited in 2021. Starting with the Marine:
The first "traditional" pub of the year, this one, and busier than the previous two although by no means full. I reverted to my usual Carling here, and I was interested to note that they've run out of Guinness.
I initially selected a convenient table but then wondered why everyone was looking at me. Behind me was a giant screen showing the buildup to a three o'clock kickoff. I quickly moved to a more secluded table! My head would have been obscuring some people's view.
I looked around from my new seat. Someone has done a good job of designing the interior of this place, it is very attractive without being spectacular.
Next, how about the Alexandra?
This is a proper traditional boozer, in fact I would say it's a classic. Busy but not packed out at half three, and I easily found a quiet corner to enjoy my Carling.
I wonder how much of the interior is historic here? I suspect it might be none, although maybe the ceiling plasterwork, who knows. In any case, a splendid example of a well maintained "ordinary" pub, spotlessly clean and carefully looked after.
My thoughts drifted back to the last time I was here, sitting in the same corner I think, when I got chatting to a regular about how we had survived COVID. We had both lost people - It was a difficult time and it doesn't seem like five years ago.
Beer of the day: Salthouse Blonde
Miles walked: 0.8
Maybe coming soon: Kirkby, Toxteth
