Lion Tavern, Liverpool

The Lion Tavern has a serving counter up the left that supports premium keg alongside Neck Oil and five hand pumps that were drawing Otter Beer, Lancaster IPA and Lion Tavern Pale Ale. I noted that the actual bar didn’t seem to fit properly as the windows on the wall behind seemed to come down too low, like the counter and back bar had been removed from somewhere else, but this was the last pub of an all-dayer so I was probably seeing things. There’s a hatch from the bar to the right where there are front and rear seating rooms with brown banquettes. The governor was very friendly and I liked the atmosphere even though it was quiet, so I’d swing by again to have a proper look at the architecture.

A lovely pub with a very nice interior and backed up by a decent beer range, on my April visit the beers were Red Willow Doubtless, Salopian Shropshire Gold, Moorfields Mild and Wild Fox Crafty Fox, the Cider was Rosies Pig. The pub is definitely toward the top end of the list of pubs visited on my stay in Liverpool.

It's hard to argue with the two previous reviewers, especially while sitting in the pub and drinking Liverpool Moorfields Mild (NBSS 4), but the pub lacks the little bit extra that gets a 9 or 10. The interior is one of the best, the beer is great, but there's a little bit of a smell, and the exterior is a little shabby. I know times are hard, and don't worry, I'm beating myself up as I write this. A definite 8 though.

A proper pub with a selection of rooms and a real old fashioned bar and, most importantly, excellent beers on offer. Just splendid.