It’s more important than ever to champion our favourite locals and celebrate the venues that are consistently getting it right
The Belvedere pub.(Pic Andrew Teebay).(Image: Liverpool Echo)
There are few greater joys in life than a perfect pint at a perfect pub. Luckily Liverpool has a wealth of incredible venues where you can while away the hours and enjoy your favourite tipple, soaking up the sort of atmosphere that can only be found inside a top quality pub.
We recently asked ECHO readers to nominate their favourite venues from across the city in a survey designed to find the best pub in Liverpool. The ECHO regularly profiles some of the city’s best pubs in our ongoing series of pub profiles, written by the ECHO’s resident pub expert Dan Haygarth. This series aims to get inside some of Liverpool’s most historic venues and find out what makes them unique, by chatting to the staff and customers who keep them going.
Pubs are community institutions where people can come together to share a drink and a conversation – but a number of beloved venues have closed their doors recently amid challenging times for the hospitality industry. A combination of the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and rising business costs have created a difficult environment for pubs to thrive.
So it’s more important than ever to champion our favourite locals and celebrate the venues that are consistently getting it right. That’s why we want to celebrate the very best pubs that are still pulling pints in the face of a difficult economic climate and changes to the industry.
Our survey received a number of enthusiastic responses – and what was interesting is that no single venue emerged as a clear winner. While some pubs did have multiple votes, there was a huge variety of venues nominated, with locations across the city and a real mix of new and old pubs.
With such a variety of pubs nominated we felt it was only right to profile each of them, as well as any interviews or features we’ve previously written about these beloved venues.
These are 21 of the pubs that drinkers brought up in our survey that sought to find the very best in Liverpool – organised in alphabetical order.
The Baltic Fleet
People enjoying a drink at the Baltic Fleet(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Now surrounded by modern apartment blocks and hotels, this 19th century pub is a reminder of Liverpool’s seafaring heritage – not only by its name but its positively ship-like shape – and is complemented by the docking warehouses found across the road. It is a wonderful pub which Dan Haygarth described as “one of my very favourites in the city” in his profile piece.
City centre favourite The Baltic Fleet was completely transformed in order to reopen after lockdown in 2021. The traditional pub is now home to a larger outdoor area with a range of picnic benches surrounding the building on Wapping.
A grade II listed building, it’s a beautiful spot that offers real ales, craft beers and much more. Its central location makes its beer terrace a perfect spot to stop off after a busy day exploring the city centre.
Its attractive nautical exterior colours give way to a haven of an elegant bar. There are great German lagers on tap, as well as a fine selection of hand-pulled cask ales – proven by its inclusion in the Good Beer Guide.
The Belvedere
The Belvedere pub in the Georgian Quarter, Liverpool city centre
Few areas can boast a greater concentration of fine pubs than Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter. Among the best in that area and a pub which should feature on any crawl is The Belvedere, tucked away on Sugnall Street, off Falkner Street. It is tiny but a prettier pub you are unlikely to find.
The Belvedere curving bar has a very good selection of European lagers, local cask ales and interesting craft beers are on offer behind it – as well as excellent baked savoury snacks.
On a sunny day, sitting on its outside tables is a treat. Enjoying a beer while gazing at the elegant terraces of Falkner Street is a very pleasant way to lose a summer’s afternoon.
And the pub comes into its own in winter – it is never better than during the frosty conditions we are enduring at the moment. Coming off the cold street and into its welcoming bar is tremendous.
The Brick
The Brick pub on County Road, with Goodison Park in the distance(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The Brick was one of the most popular matchday pubs around Goodison Park including when Everton fans bid farewell to the ground at the end of the 2024/25 season – it has been a mainstay for home fans for years. The Brick is one of around 30 pubs in and around Liverpool owned by Chester-based Admiral Taverns.
Chris Jowsey is CEO of pub group Admiral Taverns and he previously told the ECHO: “I’m a football fan so I really like The Brick near Everton’s ground. Mark is the licensee and he has been there for some time. He’s been kind enough to let me in the pub when Everton have played Newcastle, so that was good of him.
“I’ve always liked The Brick, and I got out alive as an away fan, so that’s always good.”
The Bridewell
The Bridewell, Liverpool. Photo by Colin Lane(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Due to their location by the docks, The Bridewell has a variety of visitors, with locals coming in regularly and tourists wanting to check out the building all frequenting the pub. It has been a staple in the city centre for many years.
In 2022 the pub was named Liverpool Pub of the Year by Liverpool and District CAMRA, as well as the following year in 2023.
On their website, The Bridewell pub say: “The Building ceased to be used as a prison in 1932 but was brought back to life during the second world war by the US military – rumours of German POW and conscientious objectors – but as these activities were shrouded in mystery for fear of letting the enemy discover, any evidence has been lost in the passages of time.
“The Police Sergeant lived upstairs in what is now our function room. A nightly bucket of Guinness was supplied to The Bridewell patrol from the Guinness boats that were tied up at the nearby Salthouse Docks, and there are tales of staff from the nearby Guinness bottling factory on Norfolk Street bringing buckets of Guinness to encourage the Sergeant to let their friends and family out.”
Carnarvon Castle
Carnarvon Castle in Liverpool city centre(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Situated on Tarleton Street, just a few yards from Church Street, tHIS has been a pub since 1859. Previously it was a terraced house, built in 1760.
The CAMRA description of the pub says: “Small city centre hostelry popular during the day with shoppers wanting a toastie with their pint.”
Coopers
Coopers Townhouse on Cases Street(Image: Photo by Andrew Teebay)
Tucked away in the shadows of Cases Street is a 100 year-old venue receiving world-wide attention because personality is currency.
You’ll hear Coopers long before you set eyes on it. If you’ve ever wandered through the city centre and heard the faint echoes of a Dolly Parton karaoke then you’ll be in the vicinity.
Coopers is known to many as a lively, traditional pub that is never short of customers. Its regulars are care-free and will belt out a tune as they please while offering you their own seat for a moments respite.
There are few places you can visit solo and walk away with a new pack of friends. Coopers is that and more for many people, some who use the venue as their only chance to speak to another human, but those values have been an integral part of the pub’s history.
The Crocodile
The Crocodile on Harrington Street
Another Liverpool pub famed for its karaoke offering is The Crocodile, which is more commonly known as The Croc among customers.
The Crocodile and Baby Croc, which are divided by a courtyard belonging to both sites, are known in Liverpool for its karaoke and offering customers a dance and a good time.
The Dealers Arms
Customers inside The Dealers Arms(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
This pub, found on St Mary’s Road, feels like the gateway into Garston village, drawing you into its run of shops, pubs and cafes. With a name that is a nod to the area’s docks, it is sewn into the fabric of the village.
Licensee Richie Smith, 33, who grew up in Garston, is very proud to run the Dealers. He previously told the ECHO: “I’ve been the licensee here for three years. I got the keys three years ago in February, but couldn’t open until May due to covid, so it’s coming up to the third anniversary of my opening.
“I’ve been a licensee for 10 years. Before this, I had a pub in Anfield – The Grove. I left that just before COVID.
Richie Smith at The Dealers Arms pub on St Mary’s Road, Garston(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
“But because I’m from here, I always wanted to come back to Garston. There was one day when I went to see my mum, who lives in Speke now, so I drove through Garston Village for a bit of nostalgia.
“I saw the sign outside the Dealers, saying it was available. I made the call, I’d have done whatever it took to get it.
“A few years before it had been in the ECHO because it had been done up. I thought it could be a great opportunity – and it has been.”
Denbigh Castle
Windows steam up at the packed out Denbigh Castle(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Tucked away on a small side street, away from the bustle of Dale Street, stands The Denbigh Castle.
The pub has been found on Hackins Hey for years, taking many different names. It was revived by Fiona and Dominic Hornsby, who took over the pub in 2020.
When they bought it, the venue was called Jupiters Bar and it was far from firing on all cylinders. The Denbigh became Fiona and Dominic’s second pub in the city, having already found success with The Bridewell – a Grade ll listed police building from the mid-19th century which was converted into a pub.
After giving it a revamp, the couple returned the pub to its former name. Smarter and with a renewed sense of identity, it has gone from strength to strength.
The Grapes
The Grapes on Roscoe Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The incredibly popular venue is not like most pubs. It’s more than slightly bohemian, attracting drinkers from all walks of life to its unconventional site – an invitingly compact space made up of brightly-coloured walls, repurposed church pews, charmingly mismatched furniture and few ornate and historic touches.
It’s always packed to the rafters at weekends, with drinkers spilling out onto its pavement ‘Roscoe Street rainforest’ to have a pint among the plants. Stairs also lead to a partly sheltered patio area, atop the pub’s extension.
The Liffey
The Liffey pub in Liverpool city centre(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Liffey pub, part of the Grand Central building on Renshaw Street, is a staple. The city centre venue is as Irish as it gets and recently underwent a refurbishment to spruce up its interiors.
Once St Patrick’s Day rolls around, customers flock to the pub for a cheap pint and some of the best craic you can find that part of the city.
The Midland Pub
The Midland Pub, located on Ranelagh Street, is a Victorian-era pub known for its friendly atmosphere and good range of drinks. It recently underwent a £255,000 refurbishment, including new furniture, flooring, and a stylish wallpaper upgrade, alongside new TVs with Sky and TNT Sports.
The pub is also known for its community feel and attracts a mix of regulars and visitors from all over.
The Pilgrim
The Pilgrim(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
This legendary Georgian Quarter pub recently reopened its doors after being refurbished by its new owners. The Pilgrim pub on Pilgrim Street has been taken on by the 1936 Pub Company, who brought venues like The Vines and The Monro back to life with painstaking transformations.
Fans of the previous iteration of the Georgian Quarter bar will recognise many of its previous features have been retained by the new owners. Before opening, the team were keen to address fears some pub purists may have had over a renovation of the iconic venue by answering the anticipated question ‘are you going to change it and spoil it?’
A tongue-in-cheek post on The Pilgrim’s social media pages said the new owners hadn’t sought to change the venue and make it ‘posh’, but rather to renovate it and “make it much better without altering the fabric or spirit of what it was at all”. They added: “No one will say ‘I prefer the old pilgrim’. Promise.”
The new Pilgrim features increased seating provision in the beer garden, a pinball machine and an extra TV for live football in ‘the snug’. These pictures offer a first look inside the venue as it reopens.
The Railway
This old pub, which stands opposite the old Exchange Station building, is popular with both city workers and real ale drinkers.
Described as a “nicely appointed pub with many older features”, it is located opposite the now defunct Exchange Station.
The Roscoe Head
Carol Ross, Landlady of the Roscoe Head Pub on Roscoe Street(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
One of the oldest in the city, The Roscoe Head on Roscoe Street opened as a pub back in the 1800s. Known and loved for its beers, it is also the “only pub in the North of England” to appear in every edition of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide since it was first published over 50 years ago in 1974.
For nearly 45 years, it has been managed by members of the same family. Landlady Carol Ross has been in charge for the last 27 years and before, her parents, Nicky and Margaret Joyce, took over the pub in the 1980s. Through the years, the pub has continued to welcome customers, as well as a recognition and awards.
In January of this year, The Roscoe Head was named ‘best in Merseyside’ by The Telegraph.
The Ship and Mitre
Ben Garner, owner of The Ship & Mitre pub on Dale Street in Liverpool(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The Ship & Mitre is one of Liverpool’s best-loved and most distinctive pubs. The 1930s art deco building, found at the Queensway Tunnel end of Dale Street in Liverpool city centre, takes its name from two of its previous pub incarnations – The Flagship and The Mitre.
The prevalence of ‘the ship’ is seen as soon as you walk into the pub, passing the promise of ales and stouts emblazoned boldly in a sign above the door. Its downstairs bar was changed in the 1970s and built to look like the inside of a ship, with its various drinking areas all feeling like their own different decks.
It must also be among the city’s best-stocked bars – a haven for beer drinkers. There are 42 draught beer lines, more than 100 different bottled beers, two ciders and eight cask ale lines – giving you quite the choice.
The Vernon Arms
Owner Conor Devlin inside Dale Street pub The Vernon Arms(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The Vernon Arms is known for the quality and quantity of its cask ales and it has received CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) every year since 2009. Pub owner Conor Devlin is passionate about real ale and wants to maintain that reputation.
He explained: “This is a real traditional pub. It’s exceptional to have something like this in the centre of town because it’s the last of a dying breed, having these sort of pubs in town.
“I don’t plan to change that, it works very well and I want to keep it like that. It’s renowned for real ale, just today the 2024 CAMRA LocAle award has just gone up. You’ll see up above the bar, there’s an award every year from 2009.”
The pub’s seven hand pumps are always in use, serving ale from across the country. Conor always wants to support local breweries, however, and Wirral brewery Brimstage always sells particularly well.
The Vines
The Vines at Lime Street, Liverpool(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
After an extensive refurbishment, The Vines, on Lime Street, was recognised for showcasing the highest standards of architecture and historic conservation. It was named the best in class across the whole of England, taking home the Historic Conservation Award.
A full conservation and refurbishment of the iconic Grade II listed Edwardian pub was praised by CAMRA. The conservation work to the historic gin palace included the restoration of the original 1907 tiling, the stunning stained glass ceiling dome and the intricate theatrical plasterwork.
The judges were said to be incredibly impressed with the high quality of the restoration, which has brought the building back to life as a “spectacular example of historic pub design and craftsmanship.”
The White Hart
The White Hart(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Opened in 2024, this venue is inspired by the “golden era” of pubs. The White Hart, located on Hope St, has six rotating cask ales and a beer garden. The main bar took over 10 weeks to complete, with the front fascia, formerly the back of a 19th-century church pew, provided by Taylor’s classic furniture.
Describing itself as a “Dickensian snug pub”, a range of taxidermy animals are displayed around the venue including ferrets, goats and deer heads.
he space was transformed from a once brightly decorated venue into a “gloriously dark, brooding, cosy, antique drenched throwback to the golden era of the pub.”
The pub’s website states that it is “a Dickensian styled labyrinth of nooks, crannies and rooms”, where visitors can enjoy “cask ales, roaring fires, and great tunes.”
The White Horse
As you walk down Acrefield Road and enter Woolton Village proper, the first spot you will hit is The White Horse.
A brilliantly old-fashioned pub, its wood-panelled bar and various snugs make it perfect for winter. It’s such an appealing stop that it has serious potential to derail any further pub-crawling through the village.
Ye Hole in Ye Wall
Ye Hole In Ye Wall(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool’s oldest pub is this 18th-century tavern based on the quaint Hackins Hey street. Ye Hole In Ye Wall has been serving the city since 1726 and continues to satisfy customers with its variety of drinks and food, including real ales and pies – the perfect combination. Ye Hole In Ye Wall often has live music to keep its customers entertained.