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The Blackburne, Liverpool

24 Catharine Street
Liverpool
L8 7NL
Phone: 01517099159

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Blackburne

After a hiatus of about 10 years, I decided to pay the Blackburne a repeat visit early on a Thursday evening. The outside of the pub describes the pub as a gastropub. So, it's clearly aiming for a certain market.

However, walking through the door, we were met with a crowd of drinkers. It was difficult to even get inside. This was in spite of most of the tables being free. The reason soon became apparent, as most tables were reserved, presumably for diners due to arrive later in the evening. In fact, a couple of dozen customers were present and all of them were drinkers only. There was nobody eating.

I always recall this as a pub that despite being unexceptional, can often serve some interesting beers. In that respect, nothing has changed. 3 real ales were on - Weetwood Cheshire Cat, Salopian Firkin Freezin & Wily Fox Yule Be Back. A fourth clip had been turned around.

None of them were really my kind of beer, but they were kept in a reasonable condition. This is a pub that does market itself more on its food than on its beers, but if you're taking the trouble to visit any of Peter Kavanagh's, the Caledonia or the Belvedere, it's probably worth popping in to have a swift one. I certainly need to visit a little more often.

On 21st December 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]


Brainy Pool left this review about The Blackburne

As previously, this remains a cosy intimate restaurant. Although you’re more than welcome to just drink, all the furnishings are big chunky dining tables and waitresses will come to take your order if you sit at them. The food is really excellent and so is the ale but I just can’t rate it as a pub, maybe at night it takes on a different atmosphere?

On 24th September 2023 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1058 recommendations about 1023 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Real Ale Ray left this review about The Blackburne

Four ales on handpump on our Saturday afternoon visit. The line up was Weetwood Jester IPA, Oaks Brewing Escapism, Black Sheep and Red Willow Feckless. I went for the Oaks Brewery Escapism which was excellent at £3.70 a pint. The only downside was it was served in a Peroni glass and Mrs Ale's beer served in an Estrella glass.
The clientele was a mix of drinkers and diners and the staff were all friendly and upbeat, so all in all, I quite liked the place and would return for the beer quality.

On 30th April 2022 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


ROB Camra left this review about The Blackburne

Claims to sell the best Sunday roasts in Liverpool and there were certainly plenty of people eating them on our Sunday, late afternoon visit. All the tables were taken with diners, but we were told that they were happy for us to sit at the bar on stools, which we did. Four handpumps on the go and my pint of Peerless Skyline was in excellent condition. They have live music on Friday & Saturday, but it was difficult to see where they could perform when it was full. Nice atmosphere, efficient and friendly bar staff. I quite liked it, but the other half loved it, so we'll be coming back here.

On 5th November 2021 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rob Hunter left this review about The Blackburne

I had heard this place was pretty food-led so wasn't sure what to expect. On entering there was a strong foody smell, mushrooms I think, but on making our way to the bar we were greeted with friendly welcoming service and the barmaid suggested we take a seat and she would bring our drinks over once they had settled. There were four hand pulls at the bar, one of which was off at the time of my visit. I had Fab Four by Rock the Boat which was only £3.10 a pint, quite refreshing when so many foody places take the piss a bit on drinks pricing.

As you walk in the right hand side appears to be set up for dining with the smaller area to the left for drinkers. It seemed there was a live music act warming up over at the end of the dining section.

Overall, nowhere near as bad as it could have been. Probably not somewhere I would rush back to but was good to have been and tried it.

On 11th April 2019 - rating: 7
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Blackburne Arms

Modernised hotel restaurant / bar with a central counter between the lighter dining area at one end and the general tables in the darker seating area at the other. Four local real ales from smaller breweries on handpump, including the Little Crosby Mussel Wreck (£2.90, served in a jug).

On 16th April 2016 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Al Bundy left this review about Blackburne Arms

Modern style pub eatery place. Has 4 handpumps that usually have 3 ever changing beers plus 1 cider. Very much aimed at diners nowadays and all tellies have gone but it is a nice place to have a drink.

On 13th November 2015 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Old Boots left this review about Blackburne Arms

A mainly contemporary styled single room with touches of "oldness" in the bar counter, bar-back and fireplace, there is also some very silly furniture perhaps made for a failed production of “Jack and the Beanstalk”. Six pumps but only three in use serving Landlord, Deuchars and Black Sheep in reasonable condition but not at the top of their game. Youngish punters enjoying meals and watching the three TVs when I visited. The TVs have about 7000 satellite channels, most of them unwatchable although I did notice the enticingly named “Essex Babes” as the bar staff feverishly searched for a soccer match, finally settling for one with Croatian commentary. Nice.

On 8th November 2009 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3269 recommendations about 2978 pubs]