Southport Market, Southport

Decided to give this place another look back in March, after being uninspired by the lone ale offering on my 2024 visit. Unfortunately a rinse and repeat of my previous visit, this time with White Witch being the only ale available out of three hand pulls. I decided not to bother as I had better places to try - no doubt I will give it another look when next in Southport - could it be third time lucky?

As mentioned this is a repurposed old market building, food vendors round the long sides, seating areas at each end and the sides, a snug at one end and booths based on fairground waltzers at the other with an area beyond used for functions such as artisan and craft markets. The central drink servery is based on a fairground carousel or roundabout although it’s rectangular, with barley twist rods forming the bar back structure. Two T-Bars on each of the long sides and six pulls at one of the short ends, sadly just one working but with a very good Bowland Pheasant Plucker on, the keg choice is a fairly dismal array of national brands.

I had high hopes for this place, cask ale bar in a market / food hall type setting is usually a good combination, but when I visited back in July I found only one of the four hand pulls on, offering Lakeland Bitter. The bar is in the centre of the market with seating surrounding it and other vendors to the back and sides. It was rather busy and I wasn't feeling particularly inspired by the sole ale available, so I decided to try somewhere else on this occasion.

This is yet another conversion to a food hall with a bar. In this case there are numerous food options available around the edges. Loads of bench tables as is usual and in this case an island bar in the centre. Six handpumps in two banks of three with just a solitary pump clipped with the very poor Parkers Blonde. We decided to leave it and got a butty instead.

Facebook page of Southport Market - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of Southport Market - www.facebook.com