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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
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Detail Pages
Lion Tavern, Liverpool
Liverpool
L2 2BP
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Lion Tavern
After a short closure, this time for a redecoration and spruce up, it is now all sparkley and clean with freshly polished floors, a lick of paint and reupholstered seats.
16/11/16
Reopened. Its exactly as it was when it shut. There were a couple of Camra police in and they seemed happy enough so I guess it passes.
22/6/16
This pub is currently closed. As of 15/6/16 a dispute between owners and landlord has resulted in the closure of the pub. How long it lasts is to be seen but dont bother coming here at the mo if you're in Liverpool.
On 7th March 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Lion Tavern
A fascinating pub, full of Edwardian splendour whose unusual façade gives only a hint of what lies within. Full of decorative tiling, carved wood panelling, engraved glazing and the famous domed ceiling. The main bar is interesting enough, but make sure you also go through to the two rooms behind which are connected by serving hatches (as is the side corridor), with the 'News Room' being a particularly good spot for a pint. As always, a fine choice of real ales, with most from local or regional breweries, and my pint of Peerless Stout was in fine form. The service on a very busy Saturday night - even with the extra trade of the Camra AGM / conference weekend - was pretty efficient. One of Liverpool's 'must visit' pubs.
On 16th April 2016
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Lion Tavern
This is yet another magnificent mid-Victorian pub that is both Grade II listed and on CAMRA's National Inventory of pubs with historic interiors. As if this isn't enough, there were eight ales on when I visited a week or so ago. One of the ales on was Young's Bitter, but I wasn't yet so homesick for this apparently rarely seen ale in Liverpool, and went instead for the George Wright Brewery Marynka. Other notable ales on were Salopian Polygraph, a 7.4% monster, or Salopian Boomerang, at a mere 6.9%. I saw a couple of pasties in a container, but otherwise no sign of food.
This is still a multi room pub, and if visiting you should have a good look round all the rooms. The tiling on the rear of the servery is really exceptional, and rarely seen bell pushes remain in the back room. This is another pub that's well worth a visit, both for the decor and ambience and for the ale selection.
On 20th September 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Lion Tavern
Very expensive. Which is a shame because its a really nice pub. An 8 for the pub itself but minus points for the prices.
On 6th January 2015
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about Lion Tavern
Called in Wednesday 16th of April 8 hand pulls on the bar very nice old world pub but it needs some T.L C. was a bit grubby not dirty just needs love well worth a visit beer was very good
On 18th April 2014
- rating: 8
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Lion Tavern
We've called in a couple of time since my original review and sadly the revolving artwork has gone. However this place has improved even more by being allowed a couple of more inventive guest beers on the bar. There's always a good atmosphere in here and it's often busy. The ale was in great nick again and I'll increase the score by a point for the increased range of beers.
15/10/2009
Fine old street corner local. 3 rooms with some excellent tiling and snob screens etc. Has a decent range of beers but not that inventive. Having said that the pint I had was in great condition. Close to the impressive artwork of a revolving section of the old Yates's building facing Moorfields Station. Have a look at the artwork and then pop in here to contemplate.
On 30th April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3286 recommendations about 3196 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roy Collins left this review about Lion Tavern
A good old fashioned pub with some original features.Very pleasant and helpful barmaid who knew about the beers and offered samples to taste.Although it was fairly full there was a relaxed atmosphere. Great pork pies too!
On 28th October 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 124 recommendations about 121 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Lion Tavern
This lovely old traditional pub boasts one of the finest interiors in the city. Located opposite the old Liverpool Exchange station and named after the steam locomotive that ran from here to Manchester, this is another Liverpool pub built for Robert Cain and its well preserved interior has seen it awarded Grade II listed status. The front of the pub has an elongated L shaped bar with bare boards and a few high tables and stools. There are etched glass windows and the bar back is also fitted with a lot of elaborately decorated panes, although one, carefully hidden behind the pie fridge, has been replaced with plain glass. There was a TV screen in this room, although it was turned off on our visit.
Moving towards the back of the pub, the wonderful coloured tiles that ran under the windows in the front room, continue around the back of the servery where there are a couple of serving hatches giving customers in this part of the pub access to the bar. The floor is mosaic tile with carpeted seating sections at the rear underneath an amazing cupola. Curved banquette seating and patterned wallpaper make this a comfortable and pleasant space to relax with a pint. There is also an old-fashioned juke box which is mostly full of hits from the 1960’s.
The beers available on our visit were Lees Bitter, Young’s Ordinary, Sharp’s Doom Bar, Adnams Bitter, Robinson’s Unicorn, Deuchars IPA, Brains Rev James and George Wright Lion Returns – the latter being a commemorative beer to celebrate the installation of the Lion locomotive in the new Museum of Liverpool earlier this year. I tried a pint and thought it was very nice as well as being the most interesting option amongst a line-up focussed on some of the UK’s bigger family breweries.
This place was certainly one of the highlights of my time in Liverpool and I’d be more than happy to visit again. A more exciting choice of ale might be the difference between a short visit and staying for a longer session
On 26th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Lion Tavern
A must visit for the wonderful interior.There were 8 handpumps in the main bar dispensing a variety of mainly microbrewery ale (My George Wright Lion Returns was well kept) but to fully appreciate the interior take a walk around the corridor to the opposite side and enjoy the CAMRA National Inventory listed features.There are call buttons above the bench seating in the room with the glass dome,but these days if you want to order a beer you have to use the serving hatch.Excellent pork pies are another feature here.
On 4th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Lion Tavern
Top marks here, my ideal traditional pub steeped in history. A fabulous welcome from management and staff alike. It's the sort of pub you would visit on your own and have a chat with the staff and customers as everyone is very friendly. The cask ale was exceptional and they served a very good selection. Eight on handpump, I enjoyed the Westgate Brewery Sundance, Copper Dragon Golden Pippin and Youngs Bitter. Will defo call again.
On 30th July 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3645 recommendations about 3645 pubs]