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Detail Pages
The Pumphouse, Liverpool
Liverpool
L3 4AN
Pub Type
Greene KingReviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Strongers . left this review about The Pumphouse
The Pumphouse wasn’t on my ‘to visit list’, but after spotting this landmark in the Albert Dock from afar, an area I’d not visited before, I decided to give it a go on a recent early Monday evening walk through the area. The interior of this Greene King pub has an interesting layout with a small seating area adjacent to the entrance in the front right corner and a sunken flagstone floor and exposed brick snug behind in the right rear corner. The serving counter across the rear faces a line of tightly packed long high tables, and some banquettes sit behind pillars along the front windowed wall. Above the bar are the toilets found midway along a corridor that is accessed by stairs either side of the pub. More seating is found midway up both flights of stairs. Premium and craft keg products were available, and I counted eight hand pumps that were drawing three Lilley’s ciders, GK Abbot Ale and IPA, Neptune’s Wooden Ships and a passable Titanic Plum Porter that came in at £6.60 for a pint. I thought the price was a bit steep, but this is a trendy part of Liverpool as the young crowd and 21st century girlie background nonsense did attest. Now that I’ve had a look I’ll not be revisiting.
On 21st July 2025
- rating: 5
[User has posted 6168 recommendations about 6131 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Pumphouse
This was a pleasant surprise to me, despite visiting Liverpool many times in the past, I'd never called in here as the Greene King signage and the hoards of tourists had put me off. Whilst there were still quite a few tourist in, there was only one GK beer on the bar. The rest were from local breweries. My pint of Rock The Boat was in good nick and came with a 25p per pint CAMRA discount. I went up a floor and got a seat overlooking Albert Dock which was pleasant. I might have to call in here again at some point.
On 26th August 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3308 recommendations about 3218 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Pumphouse
The Pumphouse is just about the best of the pubs/bars offering real ale in the Albert Dock. It is a Greene King pub that serves their IPA, but has multiple guest beers. On a Sunday afternoon visit, these were Big Bog Hinky Punk, Quagmire, Jack O'Lantern & Spring Bog & Titanic Plum Porter. Ciders were fruit ones from Lilley's - Strawberry Cider & Mango Cider.
On a warm weekend, the pub was unsurprisingly mobbed, with most tables taken outside overlooking the docks. Inside was busy too, especially at the bar, where service wasn't the quickest despite a good number of staff.
You'll get a CAMRA discount here if you're a member. But the beer quality can often be questionable.
On 16th May 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3204 recommendations about 3202 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Pumphouse
An original part of Albert Docks,this building would have been used to pump water into the docks after a lockage to maintain water levels.It's a Greene King tied house on three levels,the main room has a low ceiling.The lower lounge has a flagstone floor,while the upper section does give decent views over the docks.In the tap room the two wall dumb waiters are a feature but the furniture is a mix of modern high tables by the bar and fitted benches elsewhere,with little natural light it feels a bit cramped.
There are 9 handpumps but many were unused ,leaving a choice of Black Sheep Bitter,GK Old Speckled Hen,a house brew (no doubt GK rebadged) Alberts Dock Finest and Castle Rock Harvest Gold (NBSS 2.5).A low ABV selection of little merit,the corporate vibe also means there is really no good reason to visit here despite the good location.
On 9th February 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2997 recommendations about 2997 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Brainy Pool left this review about The Pumphouse
chances are if you visit Liverpool you'll end up at the Albert Dock at some point - be aware this is the only place really resembling a pub in the immediate area. it's your typical Greene King McPub in converted harbour building in tourist trap location, you should already know what to expect. it's much better than it used to be with 10 handpumps serving a decent range these days. good luck getting served though especially if you're stuck behind people trying to order food. ('we don't serve from that menu until 11' - it was 10.55). i'm very surprised that Wetherspoons haven't opened up on the dock (yet) - they would make a killing here.
On 3rd November 2018
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1174 recommendations about 1136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Pumphouse
Something of a landmark, in an historic building with its tall chimney, this is also something of a tourist trap. A large and bustling pub on a couple of levels, with a heavy food trade and a very good and large range of beers (and Cask Marque accreditation). My only real complaint was that the music inside was far too loud and unnecessary, however escaping to the outside tables overlooking the dock was very pleasant indeed on a sunny afternoon. If you must go to Albert Dock, the place to aim for.
On 17th July 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3742 recommendations about 3677 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about The Pump House
My visit last Wednesday found the Pumphouse to have expanded its ale range considerably since previous reviews: it was sporting ten hand pulls, fully populated with only four or five of them being Greene King offerings and the rest guest ales from local and not-so-local breweries. I sampled a couple at £3.50/pint (one a Liverpool Organic offering but I failed to note what the other was) and found both well kept and tasty.
The atmosphere seemed healthy and trade good, with most of the tables occupied by groups chatting, although this is clearly more of a pub to visit with friends rather than a local to visit on your own. Nevertheless the bar staff were welcoming and, as I was starting a pub crawl in an unfamiliar city without having prepared it, helped me plot a route.
On 22nd March 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about The Pump House
By far the best in the Albert Dock. Though that doesn't mean its anything special. Its is however a nice place to have a drink.
On 1st March 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Pump House
A very busy tourist destination pub as you might expect. My recent visit brought back memories of trying to squeeze past people around the place, so nothing changed there. The pub is well kept and had 4 ales on, the usual GK suspects and a Liverpool Organic Cascade. An early doors visit recommended here.
On 19th April 2014
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3716 recommendations about 3716 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Peter Rydings left this review about The Pump House
OK its pricy but you expect that on albert dock the Manageress did a great Job with about 30 Japanese that could not talk english asked about every thing they were ordering to eat all paying on cards separately. But like all chains with cut back on staff its false economy But they know better
On 8th August 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 948 recommendations about 917 pubs]