The Swan Inn, Liverpool

Walking down Wood Street, the odds of finding a decent pub seem to diminish the further along you go –the names of the bars you have to pass are enough to suggest you’ve stumbled into the wrong part of town – Bar Ca Va, The Krazy House, Fudge. By the time you reach the IGLOO Cocktail Bar, hopes of finding a good pint have all but disappeared, but then, amidst all the cheap beer barns and overpriced wine bars, the Swan Inn comes into view – a healthy antidote to the dross that surrounds it. The Swan is a traditional, if slightly scruffy, rockers pub with a good ale range, thereby attracting an interesting mix of customers. The ground floor is a fairly basic affair with wooden floors and some standard tables with low stools in the relatively open rear part of the room, past the servery. It was pretty busy when we arrived on a Saturday evening, so we went upstairs in search of a seat. The first floor has its own bar, albeit one without any ale, and a comfortable seating area under the windows at the front of the pub. Best of all, the room hosts an excellent video juke box complete with just about every decent rock album from the last 50 years, which we enjoyed spending time flicking through. I imagine the volume had been turned up a few notches from the normal daytime level, but it was still easy enough to hold a conversation without resorting to shouting. The room is decorated with some interesting artwork which fits in pretty well with the feel of the pub. There is a third level as well – a kind of mezzanine which looks down over the first floor seating area. The beers on our visit were Lancaster Black, Concrete Cow Fenny Potter, Spitting Feathers 1862, Marston Moor Smutty Nose, Hyde’s Original and Phoenix Hopsack and (Aqualung will be pleased to hear) Wobbly Bob. Beer quality was a bit variable as I thought the 1862 wasn’t up to much, but I enjoyed the Fenny Potter very much. I love the fact that this pub is thriving in a seemingly unlikely location and as someone who likes a good choice of beers and his guitars turned up to 11, I’d be more than happy to spend another evening trawling through that juke box.

A dark and moody rock bar that could not be described as comfortable but has a nice atmosphere. Not the sort of place for a dinner party but its a fine pub serving a select clientelle. Lots of real ale, but the quality on my visit was a little lacking & far too warm.

Wish i could rate the pub 11 lol love the place i get there when i can the only place i love in town please dont ever change a thing x

Situated at the top end of Wood St, when walking up from Hanover St. An oasis in a street full of trendy bars. If you're into your Rock music and a good pint of beer like myself, this is the place for you.

Loved this 2011 Good Beer Guide pub with its heavy metal music that was at an enjoyable volume, and the excellent range of real ales. Could have stayed here for a few it felt so friendly and welcoming. Enjoyed a Skinners beer Splendid Tackle, and Liverpool Organic Honey Blond. Friendly staff who know their beer. Had Gertie Sweet ex Hanby Cherry Bomnb on, but at 6% had to give this one a miss. Will be back.

THE BEST JUKE BOX IN TOWN AND NO STUDENTS