The Pumphouse, Liverpool

The Pumphouse wasn’t on my ‘to visit list’, but after spotting this landmark in the Albert Dock from afar, an area I’d not visited before, I decided to give it a go on a recent early Monday evening walk through the area. The interior of this Greene King pub has an interesting layout with a small seating area adjacent to the entrance in the front right corner and a sunken flagstone floor and exposed brick snug behind in the right rear corner. The serving counter across the rear faces a line of tightly packed long high tables, and some banquettes sit behind pillars along the front windowed wall. Above the bar are the toilets found midway along a corridor that is accessed by stairs either side of the pub. More seating is found midway up both flights of stairs. Premium and craft keg products were available, and I counted eight hand pumps that were drawing three Lilley’s ciders, GK Abbot Ale and IPA, Neptune’s Wooden Ships and a passable Titanic Plum Porter that came in at £6.60 for a pint. I thought the price was a bit steep, but this is a trendy part of Liverpool as the young crowd and 21st century girlie background nonsense did attest. Now that I’ve had a look I’ll not be revisiting.

This was a pleasant surprise to me, despite visiting Liverpool many times in the past, I'd never called in here as the Greene King signage and the hoards of tourists had put me off. Whilst there were still quite a few tourist in, there was only one GK beer on the bar. The rest were from local breweries. My pint of Rock The Boat was in good nick and came with a 25p per pint CAMRA discount. I went up a floor and got a seat overlooking Albert Dock which was pleasant. I might have to call in here again at some point.

The Pumphouse is just about the best of the pubs/bars offering real ale in the Albert Dock. It is a Greene King pub that serves their IPA, but has multiple guest beers. On a Sunday afternoon visit, these were Big Bog Hinky Punk, Quagmire, Jack O'Lantern & Spring Bog & Titanic Plum Porter. Ciders were fruit ones from Lilley's - Strawberry Cider & Mango Cider. On a warm weekend, the pub was unsurprisingly mobbed, with most tables taken outside overlooking the docks. Inside was busy too, especially at the bar, where service wasn't the quickest despite a good number of staff. You'll get a CAMRA discount here if you're a member. But the beer quality can often be questionable.

An original part of Albert Docks,this building would have been used to pump water into the docks after a lockage to maintain water levels.It's a Greene King tied house on three levels,the main room has a low ceiling.The lower lounge has a flagstone floor,while the upper section does give decent views over the docks.In the tap room the two wall dumb waiters are a feature but the furniture is a mix of modern high tables by the bar and fitted benches elsewhere,with little natural light it feels a bit cramped. There are 9 handpumps but many were unused ,leaving a choice of Black Sheep Bitter,GK Old Speckled Hen,a house brew (no doubt GK rebadged) Alberts Dock Finest and Castle Rock Harvest Gold (NBSS 2.5).A low ABV selection of little merit,the corporate vibe also means there is really no good reason to visit here despite the good location.

chances are if you visit Liverpool you'll end up at the Albert Dock at some point - be aware this is the only place really resembling a pub in the immediate area. it's your typical Greene King McPub in converted harbour building in tourist trap location, you should already know what to expect. it's much better than it used to be with 10 handpumps serving a decent range these days. good luck getting served though especially if you're stuck behind people trying to order food. ('we don't serve from that menu until 11' - it was 10.55). i'm very surprised that Wetherspoons haven't opened up on the dock (yet) - they would make a killing here.