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White Star, Liverpool
Liverpool
L2 6PT
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about White Star
The White Star, named after the famous White Star Shipping Line which was founded in Liverpool, is an excellent traditional pub in the heart of the city centre. Famed as the pub in which the owners of the nearby Cavern Club would pay their acts, which would of course have included The Beatles, the place dates back to at least the 1880’s and much of its Victorian charm is still in evidence today. Entry is to a compact front bar with limited leather seating around a crescent shaped area formed by the curved bar counter. This tiled floor room is decorated with lots of White Star Line posters and other such memorabilia which is well worth nosing through. A passageway decorated with a lot of boxing photographs and mementos as well as an old juke box, leads to an immaculately presented lounge with a nice carpet and lovely curved leather banquettes as well as plenty more White Star Line posters including some of the Titanic. The etched glass windows are a standout feature, as is the tiled fireplace and patterned ceramic wall decorations. I thought this was a great spot to gather with friends or spend time enjoying a few pints. A sign on the wall explains that quite unbelievably, the pub had no ladies toilets until 1987, due to a ‘no unaccompanied women’ policy designed to deal with prostitution problems in the area. Some of the locals know the pub as Quinn’s, which is the name of a former owner whose name was etched into the front windows, although I think this has now been replaced. The pub is twinned with another White Star pub in the Czech Republic as well as two Norwegian establishments.
Ales consist of regulars Deuchars IPA and Bass, plus a selection from the Bowland brewery, which on our visit consisted of Pheasant Plucker, Nicky Nook, Great Jemima and Bowland Gold. I gave the Pheasant Plucker a try and thought it was a well kept pint and I wouldn’t have minded trying more of their range if I’d had the time. It was nice to see beers from a brewery not otherwise well represented in the city, although I couldn’t help but think that, given the theme of the pub, a partnership with the Titanic brewery would have been a perfect match.
The people that run this place clearly take great pride in what they do, as evidenced by the efficient service and near pristine condition of the interior. I’d be very happy to call this place my local and will most certainly make a return visit the next time I’m in town.
On 29th March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about White Star
There are plenty of dubious-looking establishments in this area, but the White Star offers something of a haven from the tourist tat. It has a rather splendid curved bar in the small front room located between the two entrance doors, with more space in the comfortable lounge beyond and a small covered smoking area out back. Much of the seating is in red leather which gives quite a distinguished look, all set in an interesting wood panelled and tiled floor interior. As you would expect from the name, there is lots of maritime memorabilia on the walls. Six beers available on handpump, including the regular Deuchars IPA and Bass plus four beers from Bowland Brewery (£1.50, half).
On 21st March 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
chris munro left this review about White Star
Great pub. Fantastic choice of beers and real ales.
On 10th March 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2 recommendations about 2 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about White Star
As you walk down Mathew Street and into the heart of tourist land ,your heart sinks at the tawdry array of bars,clubs and lock ups that must feature on millions of holiday snaps (facebook walls in the modern idiom).However The White Star is an oasis and has rejected any temptation to pander to it's location.After all it was here before The Beatles.The tiled exterior gives way to a large front room with a central bar offering 5 handpumped ales,a few from Bowland and changing guests.My Bowland Gold was indifferent but that was more the brew than how it was kept in the cellar.The highlight is the back room with wonderful buttoned down red leather upholstered benches and many prints of the White Star fleet.Elsewhere there is a strong boxing theme to the pictures and even an old telephone alcove has survived without a quiz machine being installed within.Apparently Beatles numbers are never played on the sound system.
A scouse institution,this is surely the only place worth drinking in around The Cavern Quarter.
On 4th March 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2730 recommendations about 2730 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Wainnock ....... left this review about White Star
Great little pub. Both Ales that I tasted were in superb condition.
On 25th September 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 23 recommendations about 23 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about White Star
Another gem tucked away from the main high street shopping chaos. It's been quite a few years since my last visit, and glad to say nothing has changed at all, even the same bar staff. If you want to see proper friendly scouser's, you defo can't miss this one out. Has a lot of memorabilia everywhere. The ales were superb, I went for the Lytham Gold and the Leyden Citra. Very clean pub indeed. Will defo return.
On 31st July 2011
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about White Star
Lovely 2 roomed pub in 2011 Good Beer Guide well described by previous visitors. Enjoyed the Leyden Citra in the busy back room.
On 6th March 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about White Star Hotel
It looks like this old place has had a bit of a wash and brush up, especially in the back room, it’s looking cleaner than previously. The interior is a magnificent survivor from the 19th century, lots of polished dark wood, twisted brass that wouldn’t look out of place on a traction engine and what looks like the original Lincrusta wall paper. Masses of White Star shipping line, Beatles, old Liverpool and boxing themed pictures give an eclectic but interesting décor while you sup well kept beers from Bowland, Bass and guest are sometimes available. Good and friendly mix of customers, ranging from a big group of lads in the front to middle aged couples in the back when I dropped in, like many places in central Liverpool it does occasionally suffer from dodgy DVD sellers. The Beatles are supposed to have drunk here. A good traditional pub amongst some pretty dire bars in the Cavern Quarter.
On 8th November 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3275 recommendations about 2982 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about White Star Hotel
Fine old pub with a partially tiled exterior that is adjacent to the living hell that is the Cavern Quarter. It's a bit of an oasis from the madness around but it still suffers a bit from the scrote element, especially beggars and CD/DVD sellers, however the landlady gives them the heave ho as soon as they are spotted. The front bar was packed when we called in with a bunch of post work idiots who wouldn't move away from the bar. Four beers on tap that I could see, although there may have been more. I had a pint of the Bowland Sawley Tempted which was great. We moved into the back room, to get out of the way. This room has red leather settles and loads of pictures/memorabilia of the White Star line (no surprise there then). It's OK in here and it's definitely the best pub in the Cavern Quarter.
On 23rd June 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3224 recommendations about 3135 pubs]