The Scouse Blog

[Conrad]

Just in case you thought that this is going unappreciated, I am thoroughly enjoying it, I just have no intelligent replies (nothing new for me).

[Grailhunter]

Sounds like you're doing the place more than justice. Wish I could be there.
I take it the Happy Frenchman has not made an appearance this time.
And you're right about the walking. Definitely not if I was around !
Hope you've managed to do some more exploring. Did you get to Chester ?

[Millay]

Sounds like you're doing the place more than justice. Wish I could be there.
I take it the Happy Frenchman has not made an appearance this time.
And you're right about the walking. Definitely not if I was around !
Hope you've managed to do some more exploring. Did you get to Chester ?

No, the Happy Frenchman couldn't make it either, although I believe he is following proceedings by lurking on this blog. Didn't make Chester or Southport, enough to do in Liverpool. Did make a trip across the water to Birkenhead though - wish I hadn't bothered.

On the way home now and need to write up the last two days events, hopefully the internet link will keep working.

[Millay]

Monday morning was a bit wet and windy, and the weather wasn't too good either. Had a late breakfast and, deciding not to go too far afield, took a stroll down to the Pier Head and caught the 11am ferry for a 'cruise' around the Mersey. Resisted the temptation to go for the Gerry & The Pacemakers impression and concentrated on staying on my feet, it was a bit choppy out there. The 'wonderful historic waterfront' that they kept banging on about didn't impress me much, most of it was new glass and metal tower blocks. The view of the Three Graces was spoiled a bit as a) the Cunard Building was covered in scaffolding and b) they've built a ferry terminal building right in front of it.

Off the ferry and walked up Princes Drive to the rather sorry looking pier. Now in the heart of the commercial district, all a bit souless, full of office blocks and very few pubs or bars, wonder what this lot do for a lunchtime pint. Eventually found a pub called the Cross Keys, decent enough place and a couple of handpumps. Unsurprisingly it was filled with office workers on their lunch break, but inexplicably they all seemed to be eating, they do have some funny old ways up here

[Millay]

Sorry for the slight delay in finishing this thing off, I've had a few urgent things to sort out following my return home.

Should be able to bring you the final chapters this weekend.

[runningdog]

Should be able to bring you the final chapters this weekend.

[Millay]

Up early to watch the F1 qualifying so thought I should finish this thing off.

I left you on Monday lunchtime having just visited the Cross Keys. From there it was to Shehanigans, a good old scruffy Irish bar that judging by the signage was once The Rising Sun. On to Dale St next and the Vernon Arms where I had a couple of excellent pints of Brimstage Oystercather Stout and a bit of lunch.

The nearby Bier Keller was next and apart from the fact it's downstairs I don't think I've seen anything that looks less like a bier keller. Lots of bright white walls, sofa seating in the lounge side and distinctly un-Bavarian music. They do sell a good range of beers including a couple of casks. I opted for a Chimay Red (£4), which unforgivably was served in an Erdinger vase. Not a great experience, although the quiz machine was particularly generous to me

Down Dale St to Thomas Rigby's and was much more impressed. Eight handpumps with an extensive bottled range and continental lagers. Rose & Crown next, an honest decent boozer, advertising cask beers but didn't see any, they are coming soon I was told. A great pub next, the Ship & Mitre, to circumnavigate the bar and see what they had on. Managed to find Doctor Duncans for a good pint of Cains Raisin.

I then found myself in the sprawling Punch & Judy for a £2 Guinness and listening to a Karaoke session hosted by someone who looked alarmingly like Lons I encountered the most movingly delivered but awful version of Flying Without Wings, so bad that I thought it should have been renamed Singing Without Tunes

Finished the day in the dodgy looking Chinese Buffet next to my hotel.

[Millay]

Tuesday was raining on and off all day so the obvious strategy would be to make sure there was always a pub around to take refuge in

Got myself a day ticket for the underground and caught the first train that turned up at Lime St. It was going across (or more accurately underneath) the Mersey into the Wirral and I went to the end of the line New Brighton. Unfortunately it was closed, not the station but almost the entire town. Certainly the 'promenade' was a desolate and unforgiving place in the wind and rain. There were a few amusement places and dodgy looking clubs but if they are trying to emulate Brighton they've got a long way to go. Most of the pubs were closed so just got a few 'drive-by' photos and back on the train.

Was tempted off the train at Birkenhead Park, which delivered less than the station posters promised, and again at Hamilton Square which I'd been told was Birkenhead's cultural centre - God help them.

Back on the train to the relative sanity of Liverpool and got off at Moorfields station, just as another rain storm started. Took refuge in the Vernon Arms where I was delighted to see that the Oystercatcher was still on ( BotW contender). Into the nearby Poste House next, a tiny locals pub that sits in a side road between Dale St and Victoria St. This was the first pint I had to send back here although it was exchanged with an apology and the clip turned around. £2.10 for a pint of Holt's Touchwood was pretty good.

[Millay]

Tuesday afternoon was spent wandering around, in that I wander if I can find any pub that Old Boots hasn't been in, and popping in to the occasional pub. As time went on 'occasional' turned into 'frequent'. Here's the tale of the tape.

Richmond Pub, small corner pub in the shopping area serving Bass.

Swan Inn, what a find in a street largely filled with late night bars. Eight handpumps with prices at £2.10 to £2.40, apart from the star attraction Wobbly Bob at £3.20. The heaviest of heavy metal jukebox and an upstairs (no cask) bar for the evening crowd.

The Nook, Chinatown, truely awful depressing place. You can see where four handpumps would have stood but looks like they went years ago. Basic keg beers, two fridges were completely empty apart from a solitary can of Guinness. Quick pint under the suspicious stare of the locals, risked a trip to the gents and left. Thought I'd got one up on Old Boots here but later found that he'd tried it as well

After that experience I needed solace and found it in the familiar Grapes with a pint of the Liverpool Pale Ale. Actually it was a pint and a half as it started raining again. When it stopped I got directions to the Belvedere and headed off.

Spotted The Pilgrim, one of Saturday's pubs, and called in for a half and a proper look. Decent cellar bar with a cheap menu as befits a student pub.

Then noticed Ye Cracke and was glad I did. Three halves here of differing types as recommended by the friendly and enthusiastic barmen. First was a smoky beer followed by a fruity one then summat special, it wasn't that special but that's what it was called. Wish I'd found this place earlier

The Belvedere next where the beer choice was a bit disappointing, then the Blackburn Arms and the Caledonia. Can't remember too much about these pubs and from my rapidly deteriorating notes it seems they were all fairly similar and there wasn't much noteworthy.

Definitely downhill from here as I next found myself in something called the Baa Bar I'd got a photo earlier in the week and presumably wanted to get a review. Wasn't worth it, large empty place, and if the name wasn't bad enough it's also allied to the Wok It Noodle Bar.

Hope & Anchor next, another student place, had Brothers Cider on draught but their till seemed unable to cope with halves so had to have a pint.

Although I don't remember it I must have gone into the Philharmonic as I have "that photo" on my camera, different angle to Gill's so I'll upload it later.

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to try my luck in the Mint Casino and somehow managed to blag the guy on the door to sign me up as a member. I suspect he thought I was so pissed I'd lose all my money. As it was I had some sucess on the Blackjack tables and think I came out about £10 up.

Dredging my memory bank I think the last pint was at The Blob Shop where I rushed down a pint of Guinness as they were putting chairs on tables and rather agresssively calling time.

I recall a late night attempt to order room service but must have failed, there was no congealing food or cold pizza sitting outside the door the next morning anyway

Quite a long day and quite a few beers, but it was my last day in the City. I think it proved my theory that there were enough pubs to seek out in Liverpool without having to go to Chester or Southport.

Farewell Liverpool and thanks to my fellow tourists.