Not a full blown survey today, but finding myself with nothing much to do on a sunny Friday afternoon I headed towards Walton, hoping to mop up a few odds and ends.
I started in what was, when I visited in 1999 and again in 2004, the Prince Alfred, now it's the Lane:
Last time I was here, in 2021, it was an Italian restaurant called Fratelli, and in the intervening period it has been a Romanian restaurant called Dracula. In Fratelli the smaller side seemed to be just a pub style operation, with dining in the larger room; and it feels the same today.
At two on a Friday there was one chatty group in the larger room, and just me in the smaller. I couldn't see any sign of food service. Literally as I typed that a decent looking burger and chips came out of the kitchen. By the way, when I was planning today's trip Google Maps informed me this was an Indian restaurant. I have now corrected their records.
The decor in here is on a dark green theme, with gold trimmings. It feels a little gloomy, perhaps, on a sunny afternoon, but attractive nonetheless.
Next, a walk to a more traditional pub, the Cuckoo Hotel:
As I said, this is a traditional boozer, still doing well in 2026. It has a two sided layout, I selected the quieter half for a Carling, about four other people were in this room, with rather more in the other side.
The decor in here was plainish and well cared for. The soundtrack was quiet muzac and Sky News.
I noticed they've got that pointless arrangement in this room where a telly silently displays a music channel but it's not the one on the speakers.
As happens surprisingly often on these surveys, I'd spotted a place I wasn't aware of on my way here, so I headed over the road to the former Carlton cinema that is now the Grand:
Wow! The ground floor of this thirties (I'm guessing) building is a car wash and a market, but enter the small doorway and up the stairs and you are in an amazing space with a counter at the back looking towards a giant screen, which was showing racing. It's hard to work out how what I was seeing relates to the shape of the original cinema, but it is wonderful anyway. Some original plasterwork on the arched ceiling.
Sadly, only three other customers at just after three o'clock, I really hope they get lots more later. I reckon they could seat about a hundred in here without it feeling over-crowded.
Once home I did a little research by checking Google Streetview; up until 2023 this was the Carlton Bingo Club. Somehow it has survived and been restored. I'm running out of words to express my admiration for the people responsible.
Great choice of music in here, Breakfast in America, Time After Time.
Next, let's try the Orrell Park. Last time I attempted to tick this one the door didn't open, this time it did:
I climbed the stairs and headed in to the bar for a pint of Carling. Only one other customer in the chilly room, the large function room was in darkness although I noticed on a sign that someone is celebrating their doctorate today; presumably an evening do.
I could see at the back of the servery, facing the function space, there were curtains drawn across the counter.
The decor in here was plain and well done, the soundtrack racing from Cheltenham.
As I swigged my lager more customers trickled in, there were five of us when I left.
I did admire the "pisshead corner" sign, perhaps I should have sat there? Four pints in at four in the afternoon!
Time to head home, a good score of three required ticks and one brand new one, especially considering this wasn't supposed to be a proper survey!
Beer of the day: Guinness
Miles walked: 1.5
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,031
Maybe coming soon: City centre
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