BITE user comments - shouldersarms
Comments by shouldersarms
On our first visit over Easter, we entered the Roscoe Head expecting it to be chocker but we were pleased to find plenty of space in the back room. However, like the previous writer I was appalled to discover that my pint was as murky as The Mersey up in Runcorn. Like vicpark, I went back to the bar and enquired as to whether the brewers were intentionally making murky beer. The grumpy barmaid's riposte was that the beer was the end of the barrel.For the sake of me I can't think why they should want to palm off bad beer onto their unsuspecting customers. However, the following day we popped in again and this time it was more like the Roscoe of old with a very pleasant and helpful lady behind the bar.
28 Apr 2014 20:19
As is our wont we popped into Doctor Duncans on an Easter Sunday evening and sat in the same seats as on our previous visit a couple of months ago. Once again we were the only customers on which was a very pleasant evening. The beer was o.k. at least but then the door opened and in walked three Manchester United supporters who as it turnd out were very pleasant in spite of the drubbing United received at Everton. People say it's an office workers and students hangout but if I were the owner, I'd be looking for a wider range of clientele and start serving food and get some wide screens in because if they don't, I for one won't bother returning to the miserable hole.
28 Apr 2014 19:57
We called in on Easter Monday to ask if the upstairs dining room was serving lunches only to be told that it didn't open until five o' clock, which seemed eccentric to say the least. Everyone who has visited the place would agree that it is probably the most eccentric pub in the world and also has the most eccentric toilets. We stood at the bar of this magnificent folly looking at the extensive range of real ales and got into conversation with an elderly gentleman who informed us that his tipple was a Moscow Mule, which is a vodka, ginger beer and lime cocktail. He also told us he had played The Pope as an extra in a famous television series, which only added another dimension to the eccentricity to the place.
25 Apr 2014 09:29
This pub has won the distinction of being the worst dump in Liverpool. Even four letters of the pub's name have fallen off and nobody has bothered to replace them, and funnily enough, on a recent visit, nobody bothered to serve us, so we left. With the Tap closed and the Baltic a shadow of its former self, this part of Liverpool is better avoided.
25 Apr 2014 08:56
It took us a while to find it but we finally discovered it was right smack in front of Southport's Catholic church, which is also well worth a visit .As is our want, we soon got into conversation with the landlord, a charming, erudite gentleman who soon served up two smashing pints, one the Banks mild and the other a perfect pint of Theakston. We ordered lunch, which turned out to be quite a feast. Several pints later we set of to the smallest pub in the world only to find, to our chagrin ,that it had gone bust. No matter, we just retured to the Windmill as nature was calling and had a couple of more pints before catching the train back to Liverpool
31 Mar 2014 15:29
I like the Rigby, perhaps it's the spit and sawdust feel to it which seems a little out of place in such a "posh" district, or perhaps it's the honest well-kept Okell's beer, or then it could be the staff who are very professional. Mind you it can get a bit roudy, but then it is a pub after all. Apart from the aforesaid Okell's, there was a very good Buxton Bitter.
25 Feb 2014 07:39
Liverpool One Bridewell, Liverpool
I pride myself on not being a belligerent type and I'm always willing to give a pub the benefit of the doubt when it comes to ale quality but in the case of this establishment I cannot be so charitable. On a recent visit the selection of beers was so weird that in desperation I chose the Liverpool Organic supposing it would be some kind of bitter. Much to my chagrin I soon discovered it to be a concoction called Kitty Wilkinson Chocolate & Vanilla Stout which was the vilest thing I had ever tasted in my life. I tried my wife's Lancaster Raspberry Rosé which was as bad or even worse and both were served in glasses that looked like flower vases. The landlord, a sinister opaque type, put down the barman's recommendations to his lack of knowledge of real ales, him being a lager man. It seemed that the only bitter type of ale on offer was called Marco Pierre, which sounds more like a cheap white wine than a real ale. The place was empty of course and obviously going downhill.
24 Feb 2014 15:34
I can't fathom the management of the Baltic. The last time we visited, the beer was exceptional but on our last visit the Wapping Bitter was shocking as was the manager's memory when he gave me change for a tenner when I paid with a twenty pound note. From experience these accidents are often an omen of troubled times ahead and a pub that only has the radio on the telly is not maximizing the benefits of modern technology.
21 Feb 2014 20:05
On our recent visit to the Wirral we had the pleasure of drowning a few pints in this nice little pub which still boasts a separate bar as in days of old. The Peerless was good as was the Symonds Cider. They've got a beer festival coming up at Easter too.
20 Feb 2014 07:31
We dropped in on a quiet Saturday lunchtime and it was peaceful enough and there was at least one real ale. There was a large piece of sound equipment standing ominously in front of the fireplace, so perhaps it might get a bit roudier in the evenings. If you are after a more traditional place there's the Cheshire Cheese a hundred yards down the road and a bit further in the other direction there's the Farmer's Arms.
20 Jan 2014 10:38
It was a bit chilly after a visit to The Slavery Museum, so we ventured into the Pump House. It was quite a surprise after the rather critical comments. A very hoppy Liverpool Organic Bitter followed by a pint of IPA went down a treat despite it only being 12 o'clock, the pace was filling up with people asking for lunch. So somebody must be doing something right.
2 Jan 2014 07:51
On our way to New Brighton, we like to stop off for a few pints in Wallasey Village. Finding The Cheshire Cheese closed, we took in the marvelous St Hillary church. Finding the aforesaid establishment still closed we wandered down to the Sheridan's, which is large but not very impressive place. Forelornly we wandered on to the Farmers Arms, where we should have started in the first place. Enough said.
20 Dec 2013 16:17
After visiting a couple of pubs with a dearth of luncheon offers we decided to return to our old favourite The Railway. Mr Trotter's was our choice of poison and roast beef and fish and chips to keep the cold out. First class food and service in a friendly atmosphere, what more can you ask for?
20 Dec 2013 09:11
All I can say about this pub is that it is tremendously average. Okell's bitter o.k. Digger's Gold o.k. Newspapers o.k. Service o.k. Music o.k. Punters o.k. Food o.k. if you like chorizo and cheese. At the end of the bar it has a glass showcase reminiscent of a butcher's shop with cold meats and cheeses, which I have never seen in a pub before and which gave the place an eerie feeling. I kept expecting Jack Nicholson to come limping up the stairs leading down to the toilets wielding a meat cleaver.
18 Dec 2013 09:23
Congratulations, this pub not only slopes it leans too, which didn't seem to affect the Rhode Island Red or the Shropshire Gold.The young man who served us seemed a very convivial sort and everybody seemed to be getting on with the business at hand, which was drinking and nattering. Great selection of university magazines to browse through and no telly.
11 Dec 2013 17:33
As is our custom when visiting Liverpool we made for The Dispensary as soon as we were in the town centre but unfortunately it was, being Friday evening, absolutely packed, (Dave must be doing something right), so we went across the road. We tried again on Saturday evening and this time we managed to find ourselves a little niche. First Class Titanic and Acorn Blond fitted the bill. We were passing on Sunday evening and couldn't give up the opportunity of a couple pints of Matador and First Class. We rounded off our sojourn in Liverpool with one last visit and downed a few pints of a very hoppy Fernandez Simcoe and the ubiquitous Matador. We bade farewell to Dave and Pauline and made tracks for home.
11 Dec 2013 17:18
White Witch and Green King IPA had to suffice this time round but no complaints whatsoever.
11 Dec 2013 16:53
What a carfuffle over a glass of water! A couple of quid and you can drink water from the Isle of Sky in the Dispensary, after all we all pay for our poison and mine's real ale. The gentleman's age has got nothing to do with it nor has a load of legalistic twaddle about one's rights. If the gaffer says no, he means no, so go home. Recently we spent several visits to The Dispensary and found Dave the perfct host. His wife, Pauline is a marvellous person. The staff are hard-working and the pub is usually busy. If I had been in Dave's place, I'd've told them to go to the toilet to get a glass of water or go across the road to Sainsbury's. Tap water indeed!
7 Nov 2013 17:16
The Stork is in my opinion is one of the finest buildings on Merseyside and its being a pub as well is all the better. The exterior is phenomenal, a real work of art. The interior a Victorian masterpiece with a fine fireplace and one of the best tessellated floors I've seen. After being knocked out by the architecture, the beer range was also exceptional. Cornish Coaster, Pedigree, Golden Arrow and an amusingly named Navajo Soul washed down a lovely Sunday lunch served by lovely staff. Finally I must mention that the landlady was an exceptionally nice person and made our visit really memorable.
25 Oct 2013 08:35
This pub has been done up really well, congratulations to the new landlord who seems to be a very nice person indeed. We had pints of Theakstons bitter and got into conversation with two gentlemen straightaway. It's understandable that it isn't an out and out real ale pub as its clientelle are mostly theatre-goers and pints of ale and theatre don't really go down together but our Theakstons was a really good pint so there's nothing really to carp about. We should thank our lucky stars that the place hasn't closed and fallen into dereliction.
25 Oct 2013 08:03
We walked through the centre of Liverpool and arrived at this incredible sloping pub. The landlady immediately offered to take a photo of us even before we'd ordered our drinks. We settled for a pint of Reverend James and a pint of Liverpool Organic. We had a long conversation with the landlord about all and sundry. After ordering a couple of pints more, we set off to see the Western Approaches Museum just around the corner and which is well worth a visit.
25 Oct 2013 07:41
After visiting the fantastic Battle of the Atlantic Museum around the corner, we decided on lunch at The Railway. We made a perfect choice. A pint of Trooper and a pint of Deuchars washed down Toad-in-the-Hole and a fabulous spicy chicken burger with all the trimmings served by a very friendly gentleman in very hospitable surroundings. What more could two tourists like us ask for? The bill was very modest indeed and the walk through Liverpool to The Dispensary in Renshaw Street was perfect.
25 Oct 2013 07:31
Our latest visit saw us supping Hawkshead bitter and there were no complaints.The Tele was recently mentioned in the Camra mag and got a glowing review I'm glad to say.
24 Oct 2013 16:52
The Farmers is a real pub and you won't be disappointed with the ale because it is top notch. The bar is original with some very fine stained glass and woodwork. It even has original match striker wall fittings in the "smoke room". We had Adnam's Napoleon's Retreat served by Brian behind the bar and recommended by Brian the cellar man.
24 Oct 2013 16:13
We called in at the Baltic the other day and I'm pleased to say it's back to its best. A smashing pint of Wapping bitter, in my opinion the best pint in the world, went down a treat. We called in again just to make sure it hadn't been a fluke and it only got better .
24 Oct 2013 15:41
We always visit Liverpool in June and we never leave without visiting the Dispensary several times. This time was no exception and our Fernandez Centenial and Titanic First Class were spot on as always. On this ocassion Dave used his public relations skills to persuade me to try the Crazy Rat 6% American Style IPA which was very hoppy and at 4 pounds a pint was worth it but I consider 4 pounds rather exessive but there you go.
15 Jul 2013 17:52
We had a couple of pints in the tiled room . It was as dead as Hell. Like the Tap it had some real ales but the girl behind the bar hardly had the energy to serve us. Now I read it's closed! Remarkable!
12 Jul 2013 10:54
Betty Stodges was the brew that the regulars recommended on our recent visit to New Brighton and it didn't half go down well. If you like a bit of banter with your pint then the Tele is paradise. Mind you it definately isn't a footy pub, so don't expect Sky at lunchtime. It's a conversation place, no background pop music thank God and only selected vulgarity. We stayed for lunch on this occasion and my word we got more than our money's worth.
11 Jul 2013 15:41
From Sir Thomas Street, where the Wirral buses leave Liverpool city centre, the 433 drops you off on the doorstep. There was a wide range of beers, ales and lagers to choose from and the gentleman behind the bar encouraged us to sample a couple of ales before ordering. Satisfied that the Wadsworth Red, White and Brew and the Theakston Lightfoot Bitter were just the ticket, we headed for a quiet corner by the darts area to read the papers and sup our pints which were duly replenished. After a civilized half hour we rose to make our way to the Tele around the corner.
11 Jul 2013 09:37
After a visit to the beautiful Birkenhead Park we had some time to kill and there was only one pub in the vicinity, The Park View. It was an honest normal pub,no ales alas, but a stupendous Chestnut Mild sufficed .A very agreeable landlord made us feel at home.
9 Jul 2013 08:52
I don't know what it is but some pubs just have that bit of magic and Gallagher's is one such place. Even when it's full, it's relaxing. Perhaps the military theme rubs off and gives it the feel of the officers mess or it could be the civilizing air that the barber shop at the end of the bar gives off. My wife thinks it's the selection of ales and ciders,which on our recent visit included Cornish Craft Beer from the Harbour Brewing Co. and Brimstage Brewery's The Scarecrow. Well, I suppose it's a mixture of the lot, and it works.
9 Jul 2013 08:40
Our summer visit to Liverpool coincided with some quite wintery weather but with refuges like The Crown all is not lost. Marston's Pedigree and Bath Ales' Summer's Hare came to our rescue on this occasion. Sitting in it's glorious interior among the murmur of accents from all over is really edifying.
3 Jul 2013 07:42
If you are after good pub grub I heartily recommend the Railway. Despite the carping of some contributors about the lack of unusual ales, I found my choice of Robinson's Trooper perfectly acceptable.We ordered the quaintly named Duck a l'orange which was chalked up on the board. We didn't have to wait long before the waiter presented us with our Duck a i'orange, announced grandiociously in perfect scouse. And,I must say, it wasnt bad at all. Congratulations to the chef! The Railway has everything for everybody ,even tables outside for smokers.
2 Jul 2013 19:35
The exterior and interior of the pub get top marks as does the beer. On our weekend lunchtime visit it was quiet and relaxing and we were entertained by the landlord and landlady battling with a faulty Sky set up on the telly which was spoiling the Lions' match. They didn't get it fixed while we were there ,which probably,on reflection, explains why it was so lovely and peaceful, except for the crackling of the goggle box that is.
2 Jul 2013 19:10
Of all the pubs to end up in in this area of town! It was comical really as my wife felt indisposed and the Saddle Inn seemed to be the only place open with a toilet. As soon as I saw the array of lagers and smoothflows, I knew we'd entered one of those establishments, but there was nothing we could do. The only thing I could consider drinking was the bitter. When my wife appeared,she had a half of the same and said it was nice. I decided to go outside and study the architecture. Much to my chagrin the Hole In The Wall was open next door as was the Lady of Mann. I returned to my pint and told my wife to sup up. I cannot for the life of me understand how such estabishments survive. I suppose they have found their niche, their comparative advantage,but blind me, there must be limits to corporate stupidity.
2 Jul 2013 18:55
We had heard of economic malaise striking at the heart of this Liverpool institution so with trepidation we entered the Tap expecting gloom and despondency. Things had changed for the better in fact as there were four guest ales on sale to supplement the Cains brands. I kept to Cains bitter whereas my wife tried the Golden Sheep. The place wasn't exactly jumping but there was a fair croud in and we enjoyed ourselves. We hope the troubles are soon overcome.
2 Jul 2013 18:10
We recently stayed in the hotel over the road from the Baltic but we never even ventured past the rabble on the doorstep. Says it all doesn't it?
2 Jul 2013 16:43
Over the Easter period we seemed to be popping into The Crown earlier and earier as it's so handy for an early morning pint before going off exploring. On Good Friday morning we caught the first C3 bus and were treated to a very illuminating tour of Liverpool city centre. Alighting opposite St George's Hall, the Crown beckoned. We weren't the first in either. Old Rosie cider and Wadworth's George and Dragon bitter went down well, as did a pint of Green King IPA.
16 Apr 2013 09:26
When we're in Liverpool we always try to have lunch at the Philharmonic, especially if we're there at the weekend and the dining room upstairs is open. The dining room has a quite unique atmosphere which I can't put my finger on. The food is very good, the service is relaxed, there's no rush and the prices are as attractive as the staff. And on top of that they will bring up any real ale from the bar below to accompany one's meal.
8 Apr 2013 17:05
On our regular Easter visit to Liverpool we paid several visits to the Diss and on each occasion we found the hospitality first class. But what I must also add is the White Rat really made it exceptional. What a beer! Knocks spots of the rest.
5 Apr 2013 07:28
Central Commercial Hotel, Liverpool
I hadn't been in The Commercial for donkey's years and it was a first time for my wife. An early morning visit with only a few customers proved to be the perfect introduction to one of the best pubs in the country in my opinion; the typical 19thC Walkers decor is astonishing, and now that the new landlord has done it up and introduced real ales, it will be challenging for the best Liverpool pub in no time. Pity The Midland next door can't take a leaf out of its book.
4 Apr 2013 16:22
Not a comment really just a word to correct what "saido" wrote, he was obviously in The Rosco which is opposite The Dispensary and sells the most wicked pint of Doombar you can imagine. It also has a dummy Elvis which moves about the pub. Racing is all day on the telly. I go in there when it's raining and Dave across the road is still mopping out. It's curious but over the last couple of years, it has consistenly got worse but I still patronise the place so that I can say to Dave across the road that I've had a Doombar in the bar of doom.
18 Mar 2013 18:06
A second visit to Bob's corner albeit a year afterwards proved very rewarding as the number of ales had risen to three, one of which was a mild, which was unusual.We easily fell into conversation on the subjects of Spanish folkiore and New Zealand hospitality. Who said the locals seemed provincial? That must have been me in my last post. Well they aren't and if you get bored there are two other pubs opposite.
18 Feb 2013 11:09
On a recent visit to Liverpool we made our way to the Dispensary as soon as we could and it coincided with the England-Ireland rugby and the Man Utd-Everton football. We punters could watch both at the same time in a packed house and it was easy to keep our glasses full, which is not an easy task. It needs a well organized, hard working and at times a ruthless landlord to keep things under control, not to mention keep us all supplied with the likes of White Rat, Titanic First Class and Addlestone cider. Monday lunchtime was quieter, so without the distraction of sport more serious drinking was possible.
14 Feb 2013 09:00
I am quite perplexed by the tone of the comments on this page, however after a recent visit things begin to fit into place. The barman and clients seem to have changed radically. The place was eery, there was a tangible hatred of anyone whose face was unknown. Most regrettable.
18 Dec 2012 09:50
We finally got onto the brewery tour and we were treated to a very illuminating history of the brewery by a very pleasant young lady who later took over the role of barmaid to serve all those on the tour with their free pint of the tipple of their choice. We enjoyed the tour very much and the pints we supped beside the fire lit fireplace just like in the days of yor.
18 Dec 2012 08:56
After a visit to Queen square to see the reindeers we were amused when one of the ales on offer was aptly named Reinbeer, so obviously we felt it our duty to try it and it turned out to be well worth it. A pint of Liverpool Organic was also excellent. The Crown is a must for any visitor to Liverpool and I can't think of any other place with cheaper and well kept real ales.
13 Dec 2012 08:20
It had been ages since my last visit to this place and I don't think that I'll be in much of a hurry to return. I can't remember the exact name of the so called real ale they poured me but I think it is the first time that I have been unable finish a pint in Liverpool. Like on this occasion the only reason I'll return is if I'm desperate to go to the lav.
13 Dec 2012 07:57
After a nice trip out to New Brighton, the bus dropped us off almost outside, so we felt obliged to enter and I'm glad we did. For a start it was lovely and warm and the whole atmosphere of the place was cheerful. Perhaps it was because we were sat beside one of the old piping hot Victorian radiators that the pints of delicious Cains bitter went down so quickly.
13 Dec 2012 07:46
Footy was on when we arrived so the place was jam packed but Dave the landlady's hubby saw us and found us a little niche and a pint of Wakefield Pride and an Aspall's cider were soon being imbibed.Still the best pub in Liverpool by a long stroke.
12 Dec 2012 17:02
We got to the Globe on a quite frosty lunchtime and got stuck into a pint of Howell's Frosty Bells and a pint of Bateman's Rosy Nosy which were both superb. We sat on the dias in the front window and had a marvelous view of the slope. I can inform you that the toilets hace been completely modernised and are now a pleasure to use. The Christmas decorations are beautiful and the clients as friendly as ever.
12 Dec 2012 16:52
A pint of Moor Somerset Ale and a pint of Aspall Suffolk Cyder was just the job on an October Saturday evening after a trip out to The Wirral to watch the Rovers. Sitting there in the big room nattering about this and that watching the world go by, what more could one ask for? O.K. it isn't full of Scousers, but it is very civilised and at least there's always a nook you can squeeze into even on an evening when it's packed with pre-concert goers. So come on , less grumbling and more supping please.
5 Nov 2012 08:25
We paid a flying visit to the Tele on our way to Prenton Park to watch the Rovers and got into conversation with the regulars as usual. The pints flowed and we almost missed the match.
29 Oct 2012 08:26
When in New Brighton we always pop into The Stanleys Cask because it opens early and because the staff are always so pleasant, not to mention that they always have at least four cask ales and a couple of ciders on offer. This visit we opted for the rather rumly named Bishop's Finger which led to a little ribauldry. The Organ's Morgan also caused much jocularity. Both were excellent. The lady behind the bar allowed us tastes of Devil's Advocate (Caledonian) and Two Hoots (Holt), which convinced us to order a pint of each.
29 Oct 2012 08:16
We spent a very pleasant Sunday lunch time in The Dispensary a few days ago. I supped Fernandes Swift One, a remarkable pint and my wife partook of her usual tipple in this establishment; Aspall's Suffolk Cyder. I was informed by Pauline, the publican, that The Dispensary has always been a pub since its inception in 1878, thanks to Walkers Brewery. It changed to Cains in 1998. However I couldn't see any Cains on draught. There were about six real ales on offer though, so we were spoilt for choice.
25 Oct 2012 18:55
I paid another visit to the sloping Coberg the other day but their sole cask London Pride wasn't on, so I had to make do with a half of wicked Tetleys something or other, which I couldn't finish. To add insult to injury they don't have Sky, so they didn't have the England match on, so we legged it.
18 Oct 2012 18:07
On an early Friday evening, the joint was jumping and we thought we wouldn't be able to get to the bar, but believe it or not the throng opened up as if Charton Heston had raised his staff and we proceded through the tunnel to the promised land. The magnificent array of Cains beers was like a Caravaggio. The Cains bitter just the job.
18 Oct 2012 17:56
On arrival I noticed steam pouring forth from a chimney protruding from the trap door. Looking down I noticed the unforgettable face of Stan Shaw, Master Cellarman. He was producing the famous concoction, Wapping Bitter. After passing the time of day and taking a historical photograph, we ensconced ourselves inside and knocked back several pints of his brew. The wife partook of a pint of Raspberry Cider, which she gave a mark of ten out of ten. Very pleasant barman and customers. Will be back on my next visit to Liverpool in December.
16 Oct 2012 16:34
We dropped in to the Gallaghers before boarding the last ferry back over to Liverpool. What other crawl includes a ferry crossing? Brilliant selection of real ales as always and the England- South Africa rugby match thrown in for good measure. We wandered down to the ferry, crossed the river, got on the C 1 which dropped us off outside the Dispensary.
27 Jun 2012 17:57
We have become "regulars" in The Tele. That is we visit it every two or three months whenever we are in the UK and we always have a good time with locals, who are a grand bunch. This time we partook in several rounds, which meant getting through four or five pints of Brain's SA Welsh Ale, a rather dark brew in the Cains tradition. Went down a treat. Looking forward to our next visit.
27 Jun 2012 17:35
I found the beer in this excellent pub far from "bog" standard as the previous report claimed. How on earth can anyone criticise anything that they haven't personnally tried beggars the imagination. Anyway, I chose a pint of Dartmoor and my wife a pint of Red , White and Brew. I inadvertently mixed them up on my way to the table and I looked enviously at my wife's pint, which had a much firmer head. We finished and decided to have the same again. To my surprise and my wife's chagrin, this time I got the right pint with the fine head, the pint of Dartmoor. I hasten to add that the other pint was very good but luck sometimes means you get something special which goes perfectly with one's palate. We held a very pleasant conversation with the lady behind the bar and couldn't help noticing that the place had a very, very fine fire place for those that are interested in such things.
27 Jun 2012 17:11
Lunch in Liverpool for us means at least one visit to The Phil and this time was no exception. After a visit to the Lutyens Crypt, we braved torrential rain to reach the safety of the bar where we ensconced ourselves in a nook by the big fireplace in the bar and began to enjoy ourselves. Later we ordered lunch and moved to the big room. Service, food and surroundings couldn't have been bettered.
27 Jun 2012 16:39
I really can't agree with the churlish comments of the curmudgeon before me. On my first visit ,I was most impressed, especially by the front bar with the "intrusive" tellies.The tellies being high up facilitated viewing from the bar and from the tables and anyone deprecating against this "sports mad city of mine" should perhaps take up residence in Tibet. What also impressed me was the racial mix which obviously reflected the neighbourhood, making it a true neighbourhood pub There were also so many nooks and crannies that it couldn't have been difficult to find a quiet place to sit and mutter
27 Jun 2012 12:10
The Roscoe Head, besides being the Liverpool pub of the year, is one of those places where everyone seems to be able to squeeze into a very small place and get on famously together. All the real ales on offer are chalked up high on the wall, which facilitates the ordering of drinks no end.
27 Jun 2012 11:39
Very good pint of Cains bitter or I should say three on our first visit to the Smithdown road area. My wife tried the Merseyside Cider as the one on draught was the murky sort and she's a bit suspicious of anything that isn't crystal clear. The interior is very striking, some wonderful Victorian woodwork and old advertisements and there's even an upright piano in one room.
27 Jun 2012 11:25
A group of twenty of us managed to find room in the " tiny" bar without upsetting a single soul. Luckily the landlady was busily ejecting a group of students who had overstayed their welcome when we arrived, so instead of sniffs of the barmaid's apron she was soon pulling pints of real ale. The Globe, in my opinion, is one of the top ten pubs on Merseyside and is a must if you are in the centre.
27 Jun 2012 11:13
The Fly in the Loaf, Liverpool
Sunday lunch with a pint or two of real ale was just the ticket in this wonderful pub. We sat at a table right at the end under the pulpit and scoffed our roast pork, roast potatoes and broccoli and it all went down a treat. This area of town is so rich in fine pubs that you are spoilt for choice.
27 Jun 2012 10:59
We paid a couple of visits to The Crown over the weekend and I must say it has become one of my favourites because they always have a really good selection of real ales, this time I tried Old glory and Broughton. On our next visit I have promised myself a slap up pub meal there as the food looked so appertising.
27 Jun 2012 10:45
During our recent visit to Liverpool we had the pleasure of visiting the Dispensary again and found it as good as ever. Dave and his staff performing miracles as usual, a tremendous selection of real ales and ciders and a quite exceptional friendly atmosphere. We paid a second visit at mid-day on Sunday after a dismal pint of Doombar in the pub opposite. What a relief it was to enter the Dis and see the bar packed with ales from the length and breadth of the UK. Visitors to Liverpool only have to ask for the bombed out church, St Lukes and the bus or taxi driver will drop you off almost on the doorstep.
27 Jun 2012 07:34
If you are staying in one of the nearby hotels, The Coburg is the nearest pub and better than the hotel bars. As mentioned by others the only ale is London Pride, so if you're looking for a good pint better to pop up to The Tap or down to the Baltic. However I quite like the Coburg and curiously it's another Liverpool pub with a sloping floor, with The Globe and The Vernon that makes three!
27 Jun 2012 07:12
I was delighted to see that The Baltic had it's magnificent Wapping Bitter back. The staff seemed very pleasant and helpful but the place was quiet because the weather was ghastly for June. I hope the weather improves next month or all the tables outside will be empty again.
26 Jun 2012 12:37
Our first visit last Easter Monday proved very enjoyable especially as we just got in before the rush and grabbed ourselves drinks and a cubicle for lunch. We had the best fish I've eaten for a long time and the service was great. We'll certainly be back but at lunchtime as I believe it can get a bit noisy in the evenings. One warning though, if you're under five foot two you'll never reach the trough in the gents. It must have been designed and constructed by a giant minimalist.
2 May 2012 17:23
We had arranged to meet a friend for lunch after the Easter Sunday Mass in the Metropolitan, in the Philharmonic. When we arrived there was no sign of our guest, so we orderd a couple of ales. The pint I ordered was really murky, very off putting. I pointed out this murkiness, and the waiter and I struck up a conversation about the possible causes. He came to the conclusion that only the dregs were left in the barrel. The solution was to have a crack at one of the other half dozen ales on offer. By this time I had learnt that the upstairs dining room was open, so up we went, pints in hand to a really pleasant place to eat. Our friend by this time had arrived, and we ordered the Easter Sunday speciality of roast lamb with all the trimmings. The waitress turned up rather sheepishly (no pun intended) with three plates of roast beef. As I could imagine the rather hapless girl trying to explain her lapse of memory to the chef, I told her it didn't matter. I had no beef with her after all (no pun intended either) and I saved twenty quid on the bill.
22 Apr 2012 18:54
The only complaint I've got against this pub is that it doesn't open early enough but I suppose that 's got something to do with local demand. Anyway we were second in because we had to cross the road, and it being our first visit what a surprise we got. The landlord and landlady have managed to conjure up a veritable shrine to real ale, to the sundry guards regiments and added a barber shop for good measure. A very pleasant young lady served us a pint of Tatton Park and a pint of Titanic Slipway which I had discovered the day before in the Baltic Fleet. After three pints the young lady offered to call a taxi to take us to Trenton Park to watch the match. The Slipway must have brought us luck, we won three nil.
20 Apr 2012 16:32
We unintentionally dropped into Dr. Duncans when the bus back from the match at Trenton Park dropped us off almost at the front door. As it was early evening, it wasn't so packed which suited us fine. My pint of Cains Bitter was excellent, so I had another. My wife is partial to Cains Raisin ale, which I find rather off-putting but everyone to their own. We sat in the room with the odd interior, like a Casablacan railway station waiting-room. It was worth the visit for the decor alone.
19 Apr 2012 17:56
After a visit to Radio City to get a panoramic view of Liverpool perhaps it was most apt to pay a visit to The Globe just through the shopping arcade in order to sample the quintessential spirit of the Liverpool alehouse that I remember from my youth. The clientele is rather aging like myself and that is perhaps why everyone was so courteous. Though packed, it was easy to get served , and room was soon found for us to sit down. In no time we were in conversation and we passed a very pleasant hour before moving on to another watering hole.
19 Apr 2012 12:57
The Fly in the Loaf, Liverpool
I popped in the Fly at opening time while the wife was at the organ concert in the cathedral. Obviously the place was empty. The landlord greeted me in a very convivial fashion and I ordered a pint of real ale. I was surprised to see him going about some extraordinary task and even more surprised when I saw water coming out of the pump. He assured me that this cleaning process would only take a minute or two. The result was that five minutes later I was quaffing a perfect pint. As an occasional visitor to the UK I was mightily impressed and can now understand why many Liverpool pubs have such a good reputation when it comes to its real ale quality.
19 Apr 2012 12:36
I went to the Dispensary to meet a friend on Good Friday evening. My friend was sitting surrounded by the Kop. The bar was six deep,I couldn't get through that lot I thought,so I signalled to my pal to make his exit. We ended up across the road where it was much quieter. I paid another visit the next day when it was full but bearable but Dave had seen me sneaking out the night before and gave me a bollocking. By Monday lunchtime he had forgotten my slight and we were all chums again but I wont get on the wrong side of him again as you know his reputation has spread far and wide. Still the best pub in liverpool
18 Apr 2012 17:33
I paid a quick visit on Easter Sunday morning and it was as quiet as a morgue. I remembered the landlady but she didn't remember me. That just about sums it up. It opens earlier than most city centre pubs but only sells,Smith, smoothy and lagers which aren't my cup of tea.
16 Apr 2012 16:44
We recently visited The Clarence for the second time, this time with a friend who is somewhat of a regular and in the habit of chatting up the very pretty barmaid, so a lot of good humoured banter arose. The Otter Ale was good enough to persuade us to refill our glasses several times. We got into conversation with two other gentlemen about professional diving opportunities in the South China Sea, so don't let people tell you that the locals only talk about football.
10 Jan 2012 09:13
As I said in my previous post I'd be back and I was just before Christmas and I just carried on where I'd left off as if I'd never been away, even down to the same pint, an excellent Yorkshire Blonde. Definately not a place for grumblers. I got on with everybody in the place and I don't have a Mersyside accent. I was tempted to try the lunch as it seemed pretty attractive but we'll leave that for our next visit in the Spring.
5 Jan 2012 17:32
Quite a good pub if you are passing though most of the clients tend to talk about nothing but the local supermarket. I sat down with my pint of Thurstons before I noticed a plaque behind me which ominously read "Bob's Corner". I beleive that in this part of the world they honour a deceased client with a plaque, however if it coincides with your own name it's a bit creepy
2 Jan 2012 18:40
The County Court Hotel, Woolton
On a recent visit to Liverpool, we just had to return to Woolton Village which in our opinion is one of Liverpool's hidden gems. There are about a dozen very good pubs, all of which serve cask ales. One if not the best is The County Court Hotel in Quarry Road ( The Quarrymen became The Beatles of course and you can sea Eleonor Rigby's gravestone in St Peter Church nearby.) The landlord John is a spiffing fellow and his wife Jackie a very convivial lady. Helen the barmaid keeps things moving and everybody's glass filled, and the clientele couldn't be more friendly. However there was a rumour that due to brewery politics, the management will be moving down the road to open in a new place. On our next visit we'll have to visit both places. Oh, what a nuisance!
2 Jan 2012 12:16
On a recent trip to Liverpool we thought we'd eat in the newly-refurbished restaurant upstairs. On enqiring, we were politely informed that the eating rooms upstairs were only available at weekends. Mystified, we stood with pint in hand and a glass of mulled cider wondering what to do. Then the waiter informed us that meals were being served downstairs so we took up the offer and we were very glad we did. My fish and chips with mushy peas was just the ticket and my wife's haddock with herbs was sensational. Eating in such surroundings was wonderfuland; the service couldn't have been bettered or like my fish, battered.
29 Dec 2011 16:41
Bishop's Tipple was my tipple on a recent early morning visit. It was hailing down in Liverpool and I remembered someone telling me on my previous visit to Liverpool that the Crown opened earlier than any other pub in the city. Well it proved to be genuine and at half past ten I was supping my tipple and my wife was getting stuck into a pint of Tiger Triple Gold. Apart from the quite magnificent decor, the prices are also staggering; must have the cheapest real ale selection in the entire Brirish Isles.
18 Dec 2011 19:12
On a recent visit to Liverpool we had to get off the train at St James' station and we came out by the back door and got a bit lost and stumbled on the Cornmarket. It was exactly the same as on our last visit, even, I swear to the same people sitting in the same chairs, rather uncanny. Still the couple of pints went down without too much pain and I was very impressed with the tiling in the toilets,absolutely superb.
18 Dec 2011 18:59
I must say that the Coburg has improved no end since my last visit. The couple of pints of London Pride that I quaffed on a recent visit were very good indeed and the young man behind the bar couldn't have been more pleasant and helpful. This time there was no bad language and the Christmas deccies were a treat.
18 Dec 2011 18:46
Theakston's best bitter went down a treat on a recent visit. Had a bit of a problem with the old tummy and was a mite put out to find there wasn't a lock on the gent's lavatory door. Where I come from this is against the law. Anyway it didn't spoil my visit but a little bolt only costs ten bob in old money so why such parsimony? Good beer, crap toilets.
18 Dec 2011 18:37
We paid a couple of visits to the Dis during a short visit to wintery Liverpool last week. We were very amused by a note beside the fireplace asking people not to hog it. Dave also, in no uncertain terms, invited one gentleman lozicking (sic) in front of the fire to take his feet off the stool; quite right too! On a cold blustery Wednesday the list of guest ales was as follows: Fernandes Stairway to Heaven, Hawkshead Windermere Pale, Salamander Golden Salamander, Titanic Plum Porter, George Wright Mark's Mild, Ossett Silver King, and last but not least Outstanding Standing Out, which I must say really did stand out and proved to be an outstanding beer. The rest was history so to speak.
15 Dec 2011 06:57
Paid another visit to the Tap, well two or three actually, and once again it gets top marks for beer quality and service. We normally set off from a nearby hotel and the Tap is either the first or last on the crawl. this time I had the Cains bitter but my ever adventurous wife plumped for the Cains Christmas Ale which she said was perfect. Next time we might just persuade ourslves to go on the tour of the brewery.
11 Dec 2011 19:47
On our recent visit to Liverpool we visited varias shrines to real beer and the Brewery Tap is almost an obligation.The Cains bitter as you would expect was excellent and the three or four pints went down very smoothly. My wife quaffed bottled cider as they don't have a cider on draft,which is a minus for what is otherwise a wonderfulplace to spend an hour or two in.
13 Oct 2011 09:23
When we spend a few days in Liverpool, we always try to spend an evening and a lunchtime in the Dispensary. We recently spent a very nice Friday evening there with a friend. My friend and I supped Cains bitter and my wife enjoyed a cloudy cask cider and then a clear one. The following Sunday lunchtime I had a couple of pints of a guest beer which was very pleasant and my wife said that she was addicted to the clear cider. As always , Dave was very convivial and good for a laugh when he isn't rushed off his feet. He was quite chuffed because The Dispensary had been praised and recommended in the official magazine of the Ryan Air low cost carrier.
13 Oct 2011 09:07
I bet the rating of the Crown will soar in the next few months as it has changed out of all expectations from what it used to be. It had a superb selection of cask ales and ciders and at really competitive prices.The pub itself is a masterpiece now that the magnificent ceiling has been restored to its former glory. I didn't notice the state of the carpet as I was constantly looking upwards. I really must say that it is one of the best boozers I've ever been in and I've been in a few on my travels.
12 Oct 2011 18:22
This pub opens earlier than most, so as we were pushed for time, we went out of our way to get there. Despite the fact that there weren't any real ales, the beer on sale was excellent and the landlady or barmaid was a very nice person. The pub itself is quite unique with its ornate ceiling, framed photographs of old Hollywood stars and the ancient but meticulously polished jukebox with all the old sixties favorites. It is frequented by the older generation but perhaps that's got to do with the price of the beer ,which I reckon is among the most attractive in Liverpool.
12 Oct 2011 18:03
The Sportsmans Arms, Birkenhead
This pub like almost all the pubs on Mersyside suffers from the intimidating group of smokers huddled around the entrances. For occasional visitors it is quite odd to have to battle your way into a place to spend your money. I know there is no easy solution to the problem but Landlords should be aware that the average smoker's appearance often leaves much to be desired, and a group of old , middle aged or young smokers congregated at the entrance is often enough to put a customer off entering.That little moan aside, we found the Sportsman by far the best pub in Rockferry.
12 Oct 2011 17:39
I couldn't agree more with Wirraldrinker. He or she has put it in a nutshell and we were in there before Tranmere Rover's match against Bournmouth.However, I must add that despite there being hundreds of Liverpool fans mixed in with a similar number of Evertonians, there was good humour and no bad feelings even when Liverpool scored. Perhaps it's a splendid place on a Thursday lunchtime. There's an excellent chipshop a stone's throw away.
12 Oct 2011 17:16
The Cock and Donkey, Rock Ferry
We stumbled upon this estabishment on the way to Prenton Park the home of the renowned Tranmere Rovers football club. Not much to say about it really,no cask ales, no anything, just a corner boozer, Everton stuff on the walls and all that. Perhaps on a Saturday night its the in place in Rockferry, but I shouldn't go out of your way if I were you.
12 Oct 2011 16:57
We took the 432 bus from Sir Thomas Street in Liverpool and went through the tunnel to the Wirral and on the way we saw the Telegraph. Later in the day we popped up the hill and entered the pub and ordered two pints of an excellent Yorkshire Blonde and immediately started a conversation with several very erudite and well-informed regulars. After removing the air from our glasses several times, we set off to another watering-hole around the corner recommended by our new friends. On our next visit we'll definitely be back.
7 Oct 2011 09:11
Liverpool One Bridewell, Liverpool
On our first visit late Thursday afternoon in search of grub we were served by a rotund gentleman who I recognised as the barman who used to be at the Baltic. We ordered real ale, fish and chips and bangers and mash.Both the beer and food were excellent and we left very satisfied. On the Saturday evening, however we found it so full that we had to go elsewhere ,which was not surprising as it was a wonderful evening and the garden was very popular. My only gripe is that it doesn't really feel like a pub; the cells seem too gimicky for my taste and the clientele rather "too boorish young office types", but this is not surprising given that it is surrounded by offices.
6 Oct 2011 17:03
It's amazing how a change in the staff at the Baltic has led to a marked deterioration not only in the quality of the service but also in the number of beers on offer. Last week I walked into an almost empty Baltic and was amazed to see that the Wapping Bitter was off. In fact the only thing that seemed to be on was a stout. I looked forlornly at the slovernly-looking, gum-chewing, vacant-eyed barmaid and rapidly withdrew, bewildered. Outside I saw the blackboard informing the public of their great offer of pies and scouse, all very tired and symptomatic of a tired management. What a pity. One of the finest pubs in Liverpool seems to have gone back twenty years.
6 Oct 2011 06:55
This pleasant little pub is a roll down the hill from the County Court and like all good pubs has a landlord and landlady who make time to make you feel at home.The real ale was very good and the not too obtrusive tellies had the Thursday night European football on.
4 Oct 2011 17:09
The County Court Hotel, Woolton
We took the 74 bus from the city centre to Woolton village and a nice lady on the bus suggested visiting the local church to see the headstone of Eleaner Rigby, but our main reason for travelling to the village was to have a couple of pints in the County Court. This was our second visit and John the landlord welcomed us as if we'd never been away. Plenty of real ale and humour from the locals. The County Court is , in my humble opinion, one of the must-not-miss pubs in Liverpool.
4 Oct 2011 16:57
This is a nice pub if you want a bite to eat as the food looked very good and reasonably priced, though if you are only out for a pint or two the slow service is excruciatinglyirritating.The gentleman behind the bar ,bless him ,was doing his best but wasn't born to the job and the lady was so busy either dealing with tradesmen, enquiries,orders for food or running up and down the stairs, that it took twenty minutes to get served, and the place was relatively empty. However, I must say the Cains Bitter was superb. I can't for the life of me understand why people ,who have obviosly invested a great deal of time and money, haven't learnt the first lesson in catering , which is make sure anyone who enters doesn't leave without consuming something. The place needs a real barman or barmaid.
8 Jul 2011 09:37
A ten minute walk out of Woolton brings you to this very nice pub. It's more Cheshire than Liverpool but still pleasant. A pint of Thwaite's Original cost two pounds twenty and The Young Rev two pounds eighty. Very comfortable and the food looked great value for money
8 Jul 2011 07:45
The County Court Hotel, Woolton
A local chap in another pub took us there in his car and gave us a quick rundown on the history of the Crown Court and police station opposite. Very interesting. Then told us to try this pub. Wonderful lunch-time drink. Fantastic beer and really friendly staff and fellow drinkers. Made friends for Facebook. Will definitely go there again the next time we're in the area.
29 Jun 2011 16:28
The County Court Hotel, Woolton
A local chap in another pub took us there in his car and gave us a quick rundown on the history of the Crown Court and police station opposite. Very interesting. Then told us to try this pub. Wonderful lunch-time drink. Fantastic beer and really friendly staff and fellow drinkers. Made friends for Facebook. Will definitely go there again the next time we're in the area.
29 Jun 2011 16:28
The County Court Hotel, Woolton
A local chap in another pub took us there in his car and gave us a quick rundown on the history of the Crown Court and police station opposite. Very interesting. Then told us to try this pub. Wonderful lunch-time drink. Fantastic beer and really friendly staff and fellow drinkers. Made friends for Facebook. Will definitely go there again the next time we're in the area.
29 Jun 2011 16:28
Popped in here the other day and had a pint of Bass, which wasn't that bad. The barman was professional, not a great raconteur. Place quite full, some punters rather worse for wear and noisy. When it's full, which is almost always as it's so small, I have to agree with previous comments that the locals can be a bit off-putting. But that's life. The White Lion, The Bee-Hive, The Carnavon and others are a stone's throw away. So there you are.
29 Jun 2011 16:18
Lovely pub if you can get in.If you shove , you can usually find a bit of space as the locals are very friendly and accommodating as is the bar-lady. There's always a good selection of well kept ales to try.
29 Jun 2011 09:36
Friends had recommended the Swan but their discription of heavy music, bikers and so on put me off a bit but as we were in Wood Street we decided to pop in. It was just as they had described but the custumers and staff couldn't have been more polite and welcoming. Good selection of ales and there's a quieter place upstairs if you want to talk. Not a place for old codgers unless of course they're bikers as well.
28 Jun 2011 11:07
I found the Coburg rather odd. The bar was empty, sedate and quiet, the lounge on the other hand was frequented by rambunctious local drinkers whose favourite adjective, noun and at times adverb seemed to begin with F, and it wasn't "flippin". Not much more to say about it as the Brewery Tap is only two minutes up the road.
27 Jun 2011 09:02
After a bracing walk along the river heading south on a rather wintery end-of-June Saturday morning, we arrived on the doorstep of this unique shrine to all the world's tipplers. On entering, the bar with its array of Cains " taps" hits you, and I must quibble with a previous contribution which claimed that Doctor Duncan's Cains bar display was better. I'd like to see a photo of both so that purists could pour over them ( no pun intended ) for hours. My pint of Cains bitter had that more-ish hint to it ,so I had another. My wife chose a fruity pint of raisin-flavoured bitter, most unusual indeed and, according to her, beautiful. A very professional barman served us in very convivial company in smashing surroundings. Perhaps I struck lucky, but I strongly recommend the place. Next time, I'm going to try its Tuesday discount steak offer. I'll keep you posted.
26 Jun 2011 21:22
Blackburne Arms Hotel, Liverpool
Fancied a steak and it being a Wednesday,I thought I'd try the Blackburne as it offers a discount. We had two rib eye steaks which were reasonably well cooked and presented along with Cheshire Gold Bitter.The place is ok, a little sixties-ish and the furniture , I agree is a wee excentric. The only serious criticism, and this is true of a lot of places in Liverpool is that the bar isn't one that you could lean up against for an hour or so gassing to the barman/maid. It's basically an order and pay and find a niche to natter or smooch in, and not being much of a natterer or smoocher for that matter, I ate, supped up and bade the barman/maid a polite good evening. I honestly wouldn't go out of my way to go there again, but that's not to disparage it, it's just that there really are quite a number of pubs nearby which are more my sort of boozer.
26 Jun 2011 20:39
I really must apologise for the use of the expression " snide " in my previous posting in answer to Mazzini's contribution. I didn't realise it had such a high connotation on the Richter scale of insults and I take it back.It was a joke on the spur of the moment and wasn't meant seriously. In fact I am in a bit of a quandary as I think this type af of forum should be used to praise and not to criticise.One can give a place a low score on, say, it's toilets or loud music,which is being objective, but critisizing a landlord on a perceived slight is always going to be subjective.As far as I am concerned the matter is closed. I hope one day to be rubbing shoulders with Mazziniand sharing a joke with Dave over a couple of pints, but unless my doctor prohibits my consumption of beer, you will never see me in a pub with an orange juice in my hand as I am allergic to citric acid. My wife says I'm stubborn and have to have the last word, perhaps Mazzini and I have at least one thing in common
23 May 2011 08:51
I don't wish to take umbridge with Mazzini's snide remark about my poor dear Liverpool supporting long dead grandad, but what I was trying to put over was that no landlord would complain about anyone supping four or five pints of orange juice at say three pounds a pint while he takes up a table for four during the big match. What any landlord would object to is six punters drinking two soft drinks between them during the big match. Grow up Mazzini or Big Bad Dave will give you your marching orders.
20 May 2011 16:31
This is a lovely little inn type oldie worldly type of pub. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful and the jukebox is full of old favourites, perhaps too old for some tastes but this perfect for me. The toilets? Well, they seemed all right to me, after all I go to a pub to drink, the pub's urinals hardly influence my choice, after all I've been around and I can tell you brother I've relieved myself in places that boggle the imagination. When I was there a very polite young man went to the trouble of explaining the characteristics of the range of ales and so on and the other customers were civil and helpful.
16 May 2011 12:24
This pub is next door to the Magazine and as such is I suspect a typical case of comparative advantage, in other words somewhere to go if the former is packed. However, that's not to say its a bad pub, far from it. They had the Man. U - Everton match on live in Turkish which was novel, but more to the point the beer was fine, the bangers and mash just what was needed and the nice lady behind the bar made our day. The next time we're in New Brighton or is that Wallasey we'll certainly pay it a visit if only to improve my Turkish.
16 May 2011 08:57
This pub is a real find, although I suppose only the locals know where Wallasey ends and where New Brighton begins as the Magazine is in the first and The Pilot Boat a stone's throw away is in the latter.When we arrived ,five minutes before opening time, on a Saturday morning, the tide was out.We were the first in and the landlord recommended the Bass.I was a little dubious as Bass has had a bad press since changing hands.Anyway I succumbed to the gentleman's protestations on its behalf and I ended up finishing off three pints.When we left an hour later the tide was in. the beer must have been good.
13 May 2011 17:45
The White Lion Inn, West Kirby
After quaffing several pints in the Moby Dick and the Ring 'O Bells we sauntered down a pathway past the beautiful church. This led us to a quite magical park. We came out almost opposite the White Lion Inn. We had been there once before,and it was exactly the same as it should be. Being a fine Good Friday, we took our ale and cider to the garden where we found many others taking advantage of the fine weather. It's moments like that that make you feel glad to be alive. I'll tell tell you we supped some good beer in West Kirby and we'll be back.
13 May 2011 16:36
Only two minutes from the Moby Dick so worth a visit. Family friendly, relaxing and a little peculiar, which is not a bad thing in a pub. It has plenty of cask and other beers to satisfy all tastes. Exellent toilets. Seems to be a popular eatery. My three pints went down too quickly, that's my only complaint.
13 May 2011 16:17
Anyone visiting Liverpool should make an effort to pass a few hours in this marvelous place. When the tides out you can stroll around the yachting barrier pathway and when you get to the other end if you keep on until you go over a little bridge and look left ,you'll see the Moby Dick. It says Cheshire all over it, but that's not a criticism. Several people had told us it had a superb carvery, roast beef and all that at a very reasonable price and it was true but what I liked was the range of real ales and ciders ,after all that's why I was there
13 May 2011 16:04
Well I must say that poor old Dave the publican seems to have been bitten by a vampire or something going by what some complainers are going on about. Personally I think some of these whiners have got off at the wrong bus stop.In my repetoire an alehouse is just that, an alehouse and alehouses up and down the country make their money from serving just that, ALE. My grandfather who worked the docks in the bad old days would have been ashamed if anyone in his company drank water, coca cola, orange or what have you,not because he had any thing against soft drinks, but because he respected the landlord and all the hard work he put in to make the pub attractive. Good beer needs alot of care,staff need training and sometimes a bollocking, and half a dozen tellies with Sky need paying for. Water, coca cola or an orange juice or half a pint of Cains won't pay the bills.
I was in the Dispensary not long ago on a busy evening and Dave was rushed off his feet, didn't have time for polite conversation nor was it expected. Four pints later I left feeling great. The next day I returned at lunchtime when it was quieter and we struck up a conversation. My wife likes Dave and that's good enough for me. Oh, and I forgot to say that I fly a thousand miles for one of Dave's smiles.
12 May 2011 16:32
Now this really is a find. Don't let the slope put you off though. I've squandered many hours in bars but never in one where the barmaid gets smaller as she passes along the bar.Real spit and sawdust feel and the staff friendly and helpful. I had two pints of one of the several on offer and they were gone within minutes.I'll be back in a couple of months to carry on where I left off
27 Apr 2011 17:30
There are quite a lot of pubs like this in Liverpool. Not really my taste as you feel like you are at Butlins but they had a wide choice of ales and ciders.Obviously an employee isn't going to spend much time on public relations,so a very impersonal place. As others have commented there are better places only minutes away
27 Apr 2011 17:11
As usual on my visits to Liverpool, I called in here. Quiet Easter Monday morning. Enjoyed a "Surreal Ale". No hassle. Usual polite and friendly staff. This pub does not have its famous reputation for no reason. It's a real cracker and at week-ends, as it's so small, you have to squeeze in but it's well worth the squeezing. You soon get into conversation with someone about something.
26 Apr 2011 12:07
If we're in the centre, especialy Sunday lunch-time, we find this the best place for lunch. Staff very willing to please. Food served almost all day. Enough real ales for anybody's taste. Several back-rooms where you can get plenty of peace and quiet. Front room more lively but not an overt football-TV place, and if it's not to your taste there's The Lion next door.
26 Apr 2011 12:03
Arrived here by accident after visiting the Metropolitan Cathedral; Easter Sunday morning mass. The Old Firm were playing on the plethora of televisions. Three real ales on offer and good bitters and ciders. Good atmosphere and friendly people. The publican very helpful. Good starting point for going down to the pubs around Dale Street.
26 Apr 2011 11:55
The Fly in the Loaf, Liverpool
A fantastic experience. Longest bar in Liverpool with half a dozen real ales and good selection of ciders. Must try lunch there on my next visit. Food looked wonderful and the price even more wonderful. Plenty of TVs for football. Great atmosphere in the morning but I don't think Friday and Saturday nights would be to my personal taste.Very nice publican and very pleasant staff.
26 Apr 2011 11:49
On entering one would expect a cosy snug but the place opens out into a baronial mansion's sitting room; wood panelling and all. Good selection of ales but not a traditional pub as such. You get the feeling that the office workers from the surrounding buildings flock in. So week-end lunch-times or early evenings are more relaxing.
26 Apr 2011 11:42
Once inside this is a veritable treasure of pub memorabilia. Like many Liverpool real pubs, you could be back in the forties or fifties. Wonderful ale, cider and what-have-you. Not sure it would suit young trendies but there's plenty more on offer for them elsewhere.
26 Apr 2011 11:36
Great place! Wonderful food. Very pleasant bar staff. Wapping bitter is the best in Liverpool. ...... and the bus stops outside. Can't miss the place. You can even visit the brewery downstairs.
29 Mar 2011 11:56
Back to shouldersarms's profile
Ye Cracke, Liverpool
We must have gone there on an off day because the woman behind the bar looked at us as if we were shite and never bothered to come back and serve us, so we had to leave. Perhaps I reminded her of her ex-husband or summat. Well it'll save me nearly breaking my bl**dy neck walking down the horrible cobbly street again.
28 Apr 2014 20:32