Crown Hotel, Liverpool

There’s a nice etched window at the end of the serving counter of the Crown Hotel, but all the others are clear allowing passers-by to peer in to see middle aged men all sat separately in silence, well this was the case during a recent midweek evening visit. The extremely slow background music didn’t help with the ambience. Banquettes run under the front windows and part way up the left and right panelled walls. On the right-hand wall is an attractive tiled fireplace that is hidden behind a high table, more high tables are found in the centre of the pub around an ornate supporting column. An L-shaped serving counter supports premium and craft keg alongside seven hand pumps that were drawing Titanic’s Plum Porter, Oakham’s Citra, Wainwright, Liane Brewery’s Doublon, Dark Star’s Hophead, Doom Bar and TT Landlord. The Porter was on good form but the barman poured a comically short measure before disappearing off somewhere. I had to ask his colleague to top it up once he’d seen me above his screen… you’re at work, put your fecking phone down! There’s a dining room at the rear with the same wooden flooring, wood panelling and impressive ceiling. Worth a look, but don’t expect the service to be attentive.

Handy for Lime Street Station, a quite attractive and ornate pub but once inside the feel, as Ian aptly describes below, is one of a transient nature and the pub atmosphere is lacking. Seven handpumps on the bar of nationally available beers probably mirroring its general custom, Black Sheep Bitter, Doom Bar, Tribute, Landlord, Dark Star Red Dwarf and Hophead leaving one stick vacant, worth the tick but one I'm not likely to return to.

Official site of Crown Hotel - www.thecrownliverpool.co.uk

Official site of Crown Hotel - www.thecrownliverpool.co.uk

Noticed this externally handsome pub from the exit/entry to Lime Street but never previously visited. Initial thoughts were off a transient pub, with most punters popping in for one before moving on. Very busy with constant movement in a barn of a knocked together room. I managed to get a table - amazed at how much booze punters leave behind. A minesweepers dream. It didnt take long for the staff to clear off the empties and make my place more pleasant. The high rating includes my pint of Fyne Jarl - which after four Good Beer Guide Ticks and one other pub, was my Pint of the Day. Perfect condition.

An ornate interior with lots of original features ,the ceiling in the tap room is impressive,while the rear room is a calmer spot and has fitted bench seating around the walls.The elegant curved staircase leading the the first floor dining room has a roof light and there lots of wood panelling to admire and a marble fireplace.The tap room furniture is a little too modern with some high tables while the flatscreen here also lower the tone. Food is served either in the back room or upstairs ,but the menu is corporate and food service will be at work here. There are 7 handpumps with TT Landlord and Doom Bar as regulars with guests on my trip Sharps Atlantic,Moorhouses White Witch,Wily Fox Crafty Fox,Froth Blowers Monsoon and Jenny Jenny Golden Ale (NBSS 2.5).A low ABV range which was a little underwhelming. Being the nearest pub to Lime Street does mean that some of the customer base are transient ,loud and with a smattering of village idiot types so although I enjoyed looking at the interior ,this won't make it on a must visit list.

Much improved after the refurbishment. It looks like they may have refurbished the clientele as well. Both the upstairs and downstairs area now look back to their stunning best. Not at all like the flea bitten down trodden mess that we visited (briefly) a couple of years ago. Last time Ms CAMRA walked out in disgust at the lowlifes at the bar and the crappy décor. This time she was happy to settle down and have a drink. Still not the most inventive selection on the bar, but my pint of Rev James was in very good nick. Worth paying a visit again now.

Called into this 2019 Good Beer Guide pub and found 7 beers on the bar. Wooha Sunshine IPA, Laine Mangolicious, Cotleigh Tawney Owl, Robinsons Trooper, plus Doom Bar, Landlord and Summer Lightning. Chose the Wooha which was fine. Looked a popular choice for folks with cases coming or going to Lime Street station.