The Fly, Liverpool

A former bakery with the original Kirklands fascia being retained and the conversion has utilised reclaimed materials.An absolute gem of a pub and paradise for the real ale buff,I was served with a smiling barmaid and sampled the stout which was top notch.The interior has a couple of interesting features,the wooden arches are from a Church in Bury and apparently the wooden wall panelling is from the ex Everton footballer Duncan Ferguson's snooker room.Definitely worth a visit

Splendid facade, boldly proclaiming "Vienna Bakery - Bakers to the Queen - Kirkland Bros - Scotch Confectioners" above the large bay windows either side of the doors (above which on a balcony is added "By Appointment" below a royal crest and underneath you will find a fine mosaic with the former owner's name). Inside, there is a long bar which is rather dark unless you can get a seat at the front or near the side windows towards the back. There are also some incongruous features such as stonework arches and a pulpit which seem to have been moved from an old church for no obvious reason. Appears to be an Okells pub, with a good selection of their beers on handpump plus some interesting guests (such as Blackwater Ska at £2.80). Well worth a visit.

Isle of Man brewer Okells run three excellent pubs in the city, this is the most excellent of them. It's been praised many times on review sites for the quality of the beer, the service and the surroundings and rightly so. Lots of British and Continental beers on draught complimented by a superb range of Belgian/German/etc bottled beers. It has competition from some very fine pubs nearby but is probably the best all round. Housed in a former bakery – Kirklands – the main part has the look and atmosphere of a bar in Amsterdam, Copenhagen or Brussels There are a few ecclesiastical touches to the décor which are a bit out of place but otherwise it's a good use of an old shop. There are seating areas either side of the front door with big posing windows, a main bar and two raised areas towards the rear. With TV screens in most corners it can get very busy when local football matches are shown. The toilets are upstairs through the door to the right of the front door, and there is a function room up there as well. Not to be missed.