Peter Kavanaghs, Liverpool

This is a rather eccentric Victorian pub tucked away down a quiet backstreet in Liverpool’s Georgian quarter. The entrance leads into a corridor which widens slightly past a snug on the right hand side to incorporate the servery. The bar back sets the tone for the rest of the pub, inasmuch as it is covered with all sorts of bric-a-brac, far too numerous to list here although the gas mask collection was particularly notable. The front snug has a limited amount of seating and a nice fireplace as well as all manner of musical instruments suspended from the ceiling. This room is mirrored by a second snug beyond the bar, although I didn’t have the chance to properly explore this room. Opposite the bar is a doorway to the largest room which is carpeted with some lovely, long curved high back leather banquettes. This room is decorated with loads of nice old pictures and photos, as well as a number of bicycles and an impressive collection of transistor radios which hang from the ceiling. There was also a child-sized Pinocchio-style puppet which, in the muted lighting, looked pretty sinister. A raised area at the far end of the room led to what looked like a dining area, but this space was closed on my visit. The toilets had some admirable graffiti ranging from an ongoing debate about toilet graffiti as art-form to numerous death threats to Tony Blair. Five handpulls were offering Off Beat Kooky Gold and Quirky Kiwi (£3.10), Tatton Gold, Greene King Abbot Ale and Ossett Snow Drop. I tried the Quirky Kiwi (my choice perhaps subliminally influenced by the quirky surroundings) and thought it was a nice tasting beer in good condition. As others have mentioned, this place is a bit out on a limb if you’re coming from the city centre, but I would say it is well worth making that bit of extra effort to seek out a pub like no other you will find in town.

Slightly out of the city centre, but well worth the walk to experience the famously eccentric decor (and, occasionally, clientele too). Various different seating areas, but most customers congregate around the bar. Five real ales on handpump, with guest beers such as Northern One-De-Ful Wheat in good form but quite expensive for the area at £2.95. (NB - Review dates from August 2011.)

This pub is a Victorian gem. It's not that impressive from the outside, although the shutters are an interesting feature. Once inside though it's a real treat. You walk in to what is effectively a drinking corridor, with the bar being a few steps inside on the right. There are two snugs, both on the right on either side of the bar, both have old murals on the walls which are getting a bit faded these days. Both snugs have unusual round tables with a grill in the centre for stubbing out fags and decent fireplaces. The front snug has musical instruments hanging from the ceiling. The room to the left has two seating areas with a piano between the two along with a further raised area at the rear (closed when we were there). There are three bikes along the ledges, pictures covering almost every bit of the walls and transistor radios hanging from the ceiling. There is also the biggest Pelham puppet of Pinocchio that I've ever seen. On the bar are five handpumps serving Abbot Ale and four guests. I had two from the Cambrinus brewery Deliverance and Yardstick, both were excellent. A bit pricey at £2.70 a pint though. It's a bit of a walk from the centre but its well worth it. Top pub.

What a find this was. Hadn't been before on previous visits to Liverpool, but worth seeking out. We were glad it was quiet as we spent some time wandering round looking at the artifacts around the walls and suspended from the ceilings. One ceiling full of suspended radios, another with chamberpots and another with musical instruments. The beers we tried were great too. Cambrinus Herald and Cambrinus Endurance. No food though. Monday appears to be a bad day to eat around here. Will come back next time in Liverpool though.

Victorian/Edwardian interior with an eclectic collection of miscellany, a little like drinking in a junk shop. Many people rave about the interior and the beer. The cask beers, from Greene King (Abbot) and various microbreweries are usually good to fair, the interior is interesting but there just seems something missing. There are several small rooms plus a larger split level affair with lots of seating, more stuff, some interesting photos, posters etc and a piano. It is a bit of a local’s pub, with over exuberant regulars congregating round the bar but they are friendly enough. It is a fair walk from some of the better pubs but for the curious it could be combined with a trip to the Philharmonic and Belvedere.

a very characteristic pub well worth seeking out