The Guest House, Southport

Visited back in March on a Thursday afternoon. 11 hand pulls vying for my attention at the bar, with maybe a couple of those not in service. Some of the offerings are fairly mainstream (eg Brains SA) but enough choice remained for me to overlook that and find something more interesting. There was a young barman chasing me around the bar as I was perusing the pumps, making me feel a bit rushed; I settled on a cherry porter that set me back £2.40 for a half. No food for me on this occasion, and the pub was pretty busy throughout, so I retreated to the beer garden, which was inexplicably quiet on that warm day. There is some outdoor seating to the front, also not being used. A bit more could be made of the beer garden but I did visit a bit early in the season so perhaps a bit early for a full spruce up. It felt a little untidy and the seating was not comfortable. Perhaps this is why everyone else was indoors! I didn't rate it as highly as on my first visit but it's somewhere I would definitely be happy to go back to.

As far as traditional pubs are concerned, the Guest House is probably the best in Southport. You enter into what I would describe as a corridor with the main bar off to the right and both a front and right room to the left-hand side. The bar was featuring a live singer, whilst we located a table in the room to the rear left which was also where Southport's dog owners had congregated. Handpulls can be found in both the bar and the corridor. Fuller's London Pride is a regular beer. Guests for our visit were Small World It's Never One, Southport Old Shrimper, Adnams Southwold Bitter, Heritage 1950s Burton Ruby Mild, Ossett Ice Queen & Bradfield Farmer's Blonde. A cider (Thatcher's Stan's Cheddar Valley) was on another handpull. Service was friendly and I found the atmosphere in an evening much better than on our previous daytime visits. Well worth a visit.

Visited on a weekday lunchtime in July. 11 hand pulls at the bar with just 2 or 3 not on, but plenty to choose from with a couple of chalk boards to post the offerings. This is an old traditional multi room pub, dogs are welcome except in the front room, great value food is served and the pub allows over 18s only. There is banquette seating, wood panelling, and low tables and chairs - it just felt like a proper pub. No music is played and there is a small beer garden to the rear that looked like it could be a bit of a sun trap. In the front room I observed a lovely old fireplace and old light fittings. Everything seemed so old but clean, tidy and well looked after. As mentioned the food menu offers great value, and I was tempted by their home made pies - with a choice of beef steak, chicken and mushroom, or lamb and rosemary. A bargain at £4.95 with peas and carrots, but also available with bread and butter and beetroot or red cabbage, or chips, peas and carrots for a little extra. I found this place to be an absolute gem, traditional and well presented, friendly and great value, hence the generous score.

I love pubs like this, I must have reduced the average age considerably when i walked in. the oldies of Southport love this place because it's everything a pub should aspire to in its multi roomed, traditional splendour. my beer was off but i'll forgive them, I'm sure it's usually fine as everyone else was drinking the stuff. will spend a bit longer here next time i'm in southport.

A very attractive pub from the outside which is complemented by a fine interior. 3 separate rooms all with wood panelling. It was pretty quiet during our Tuesday evening visit, but still had a pleasant atmosphere. 10 beers available on the bar, although not the most inventive of selections, with Greene King and Adnams featuring. My pint was in excellent nick though and we enjoyed our visit here.

An extremely nice Art Nouveau/Arts & Crafts styled pub with multiple rooms and spaces as well as a range of decently kept local ales, not far off Lord Street but very unbar-like, a proper pub. Lots of woodwork and stained glass, my favourite on a short day out in Southport.

A good traditional pub. Very attractive interior as noted elsewhere. Real ales available and depending on the bar staff at the time a taster is allowed.