Peaky Blinders, Southport

visited again post-lockdown and enjoyed it - staff were friendly and welcoming and the real ale still excellent. Down to four pumps now, three from Bowland were available plus Landlord. The bar has been freshened up inside and the atmosphere is fine, then again this was midday and the trendy cocktail crowd weren’t in.

Official site of Peaky Blinders - thepeakyblinders.com

This hotel and bar featured on The Hotel Inspector a few years ago, which is how it came to my attention as I seem to remember the programme mentioning the bar establishing itself as a real ale place, so obviously my ears pricked up. I was in Southport recently so managed to pay a visit. I daresay the Peaky Blinders theme is perhaps more on the accommodation side, as the bar area doesn't seem to be overly themed (as noted in the previous reviews). That said, there does appear to be a staff uniform as the two chaps both had a beard, blue shirt with white collar and maroon braces. The one that served me seems to fit the description of ROB and Jon below, so either he still works there or has a clone. His identically dressed colleague seemed a little more friendly. I passed by at lunch time and there was a big group of pensioners in so presumably they were in for a meal. I returned later, around 1:30pm, and there were just a couple of older chaps in. At the bar are five hand pulls for real ale, at the time of my visit dispensing Bowness Bay Session IPA, Bowness Bay Raven Red, Bowland Hen Harrier, Bowland Boxer Blonde and Cross Bay Sunset Blonde. My Session IPA set me back £1.75 for a half and was quite a pleasant drink. I'm glad to have tried it, but I don't feel a need to rush back.

Official site of Peaky Blinders - thepeakyblinders.com

nice bar with attached cocktaily place that I didn't venture into. must have had the same disinterested barman as Rob, not exactly service with a smile. shame because my pint was fine.