Ye Cracke, Liverpool

Hidden away in a back street (that is not even shown on the city map the tourist office hands out), but conveniently near other destination pubs such as the the Philharmonic, the Fly in the Loaf and the Roscoe Head. The old Bass, Boddingtons and Marstons signs on the facade give the exterior a somewhat dated look, and there is certainly nothing much new inside either. However, the jumbled arrangement of bars, corridors, snugs and larger seating areas give the place a lot of character. There is also a first class selection of real ales available on handpump (although I was glad I took the barmaids advice to try the Spitting Feathers Autumn Smoked Ale before investing in a pint - instead opting for the excellent Peerless Hilbre Gold at £2.60 on the recommendation of the chap standing next to me at the bar). Well worth seeking out.

Good little pub that used to be even smaller, you can still see where it was extended into the cottage next door if you look closely. A mix of locals and students with a couple of visitors (us). Good range of real ales, the two we had were both well kept. Loads of things around the walls and on the ledges, every time you look you see something else. Difficult to find the first time but after that, well it's easy!

Multi roomed pub with a good array of well kept beers from smaller and micro breweries. Allegedly a favourite haunt of John Lennon in his art student days. Always a lively pub to visit but some of the customers can look a bit dodgy. I sat in the big room and enjoyed the drawings of 1960s Liverpool by RW Thomas, a great reminder of the lost city you can still see traces of in modernised Liverpool. Big well stocked juke box and a beer garden. Originally called the Ruthin Arms but nick named Ye Cracke because it was tiny before expanding sideways into the cottage next door.