Having learned of two bars I'd never heard of on a recent episode of the Great British Pub Crawl on YouTube I decided I ought to visit New Brighton again. I headed out on a grey autumnal Saturday morning. By the time I got to New Brighton the sun was shining.
Before I'd even reached my first target I noticed at the side of a bowling alley was the Riverside Bar:
Inside I found a very pleasant bar area surrounded by bowling lanes, darts boards, pool tables and so on. I see they also offer Laser Quest.
My pint of the always good Neck Oil was £6.60.
The place was ticking over although I didn't see them sell much beer during my short stay. The clack of snooker balls and the rumble of bowling mixed with gentle background music and chit chat.
What a nice bar area, some rather well done modern decor gives the place an attractive and comfortable feeling over all.
On to my first planned target, Breakers:
In through the small entrance and then up the stairs to a rather large light room. The windows overlook the sea front with a great view across the Mersey.
I ordered another Neck Oil. The friendly barmaid had to visit the cellar to change the keg after which she poured a number of half-pints and a large bucket of froth. Eventually I said "do you want to give up and pour me a Carling instead" for which she was very grateful! I noted they have "members' prices" here.
The main sound where I was sitting was Chelsea beating Man U, but it was sensibly quiet. No one was watching, anyway.
A group of lads came in and then departed immediately, complaining that there are no snooker tables. Perhaps they should have gone to the Riverside. No, wait, that was pool as well.
Next, a long (not really) walk along the river bank. The wind up the Mersey was rather cold, I must say, and I was glad I had brought my woolly hat on its first excursion of the season. I soon reached the Pilot Boat:
Unfortunately this place was packed out with a Halloween party. I managed to get a pint of Wadsworth Horizon which was very good, and perched on a stool at the end of the counter, while kids and adults milled around in total chaos. Serves me right for coming out on Halloween!
But it is good to see a pub doing well. Lots of food was being served, and little tubs of Celebrations went to each table as well. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Next, a significant effort of willpower as the wonderful Magazine is next door with its excellent real ale including Bass, but I have to resist and move on up the hill to my next target, the never visited Hoptimist:
Here I found a great shop conversion micro, pretty busy at three on a Saturday. Only one of the three handpumps had a clip so I had the house beer, brewed by Coach House, which was very good. It came in a Hoptimist branded conic, as well.
The music was mostly drowned by happy chatter in here.
I noticed the food menu was, in fact, ordering a pizza from the place across the road. I resisted the temptation, but it turns out they don't open until four so if I had wanted one I'd be out of luck!
While I enjoyed my pint two more cask ales came on. Never mind, mine was great.
Now, a walk back to New Brighton itself where there is one more place which it would be useful to revisit. The Homebrew Tap:
No cask ales in here so I had 2/3 of La Trappe Blonde which cost me £6.80 and was pretty good. The double shop conversion was rather busy, I had to perch on a stool once again as all the comfy seats and tables were occupied.
In conclusion, three brand new ticks (two thanks to the Pub Crawl) plus one required and one nearly required. That's a good enough result.
Beer of the day: Wadsworth Horizon
Miles walked: 2.6
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,036
Maybe coming soon: No idea
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