The Swan Inn, Liverpool

The Swan Inn is a rockers pub that was comfortably quiet during a recent Monday evening visit, but the large jukebox on the rear wall was popular. Most of the other customers seemed to be wearing rock themed t-shirts and there’s lots of framed music related things on the walls. I counted nine hand pumps, five of which were in use drawing Abbeydale’s Springtime and Doctor Morton’s Safety Beer, Robinson’s Trooper, Phoenix Brewery’s Wobbly Bob and Old Rosie cider. Looking around the room I decided to go with everyone else’s choice of a Guinness. I sat in the rear open plan seating area by the aforementioned jukebox and noted the stained glass front windows with seating underneath and the red lighting throughout. The service was polite, but this isn’t my sort of place so I doubt I’ll ever return.

Tucked away on an unassuming side street, but close to much of Liverpool's night life, this is a pub known for its rock music. Spread over two floors, it can get very busy at weekends. However, on our Tuesday evening visit, we were just about the last ones out at around 11pm. Music from the jukebox had been playing fairly loudly. So, this may not be everyone's cup of tea. However, I quite enjoy an occasional visit here. Whilst the pub has not featured in the Good Beer Guide since 2014, there is always a good selection of real ales. Phoenix Hopsack and the dangerously drinkable Wobbly Bob are always on. Guests for our visit were Bateman's Rosey Nosey, Spitting Feathers Winter Solstice & Robinson's Trooper. A handpull at the far end of the bar also dispenses Rosie's Triple D cider, making it a worthwhile visit for cider fans. This is a very basic place. But if you enjoy real ales and cider as well as rock/metal music, it's probably for you.

didn’t notice the upstairs bar. or indeed any aroma. there were a few bikers in but this just felt like a friendly side street bar with a slight bias towards rock music. a really good one roomed boozer and, since you asked, a good selection of real ales too. 8/10.

This is a bikers style pub but without the bikes. An upstairs bar and a ground level bar of which both can be of varying aromas. Usually a decent variation of real ales on over time. Lots of interesting, or quite possibly dull, clientele to mix with and most can be very hairy, usually unwashed. Lots of crusty old blokes trying to look like wizards can be a bit of a bore. Still its a decent enough place.