The Pilgrim, Liverpool

This is a basic back street pub and live music venue with a strong student following. Entering through a front courtyard with several picnic benches and rather unexpectedly, a plough, you descend a short flight of steps to the main room which has the feel of a cellar bar due to the almost complete lack of natural light. The interior of this simple rectangular room is all dark wood flooring and exposed brick walls with a few booths created by banquettes running down both sides and a row of long tables positioned in the middle. The walls have a number of unusual curved recesses which have been filled with mirrors which have photos of The Beatles stuck on them. The servery is roughly opposite the front door and to the right there is an open kitchen and wide corridor with a large ‘Rubber Soul’ artwork. Two TV screens were showing the afternoon’s big match between Liverpool and Arsenal and the crowd were rather boisterous to the point that a number of customers turned straight around and left without making it to the bar. A spiral staircase at the end of the room leads up to the live music venue, but I didn’t bother to explore that far. Four hand pulls offered Lancaster Red, Cross Bay Nations Bitter, Phoenix White Monk and Thwaites Original, whilst the keg range includes Cain’s Pilsner at £1.95. Unfortunately my half of the Nations Bitter was most unpleasant, perhaps because the line hadn’t been pulled through, but it gave me a good excuse to get away from the rather violent atmosphere the football was generating. Food is available and an excellent value, student friendly menu is displayed on a large board next to the bar. I don’t mind pubs that are a bit scruffy and run down, as I think it can add a bit of character to a place, but this pub didn’t really do it for me and I think I’d be unlikely to make a return with so many other good options nearby. That said, had I arrived on a non football day and received a better beer, maybe my feelings would be entirely different.

2011 Good Beer Guide pub with decent real ale range and we chose M & B Blueberry and Liverpool Organic Johnny Handsome. No problem with either of the beers. Unable to get seats as it was quite full, and we stood by a shelf near the kitchen chatting to the chef.