In an increasingly modern area, The Coburg offers a more traditional feel than other nearby bars
Landlord Dean Barrett behind the bar in The Coburg pub on Stanhope Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
On Stanhope Street in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, The Coburg is the kind of pub that feels like it’s been part of the neighbourhood forever – because it sort of has. Under the stewardship of Dean Barrett for the past 35 years, the pub has witnessed the area’s transformation from industrial heartland to a bustling creative quarter.
“I’ve been here for 35 years,” says Dean, adding: “It was a bit different in 1990; it was all industrial and, if you stood outside, you could see the river. The changes around this area in 35 years have been amazing.”
When asked whether the changes have been better or worse, Dean laughs: “A bit of both. It was sad losing all the industrial stuff, but times move on, don’t they?”
Despite the evolution around it, The Coburg retains a strong local feel. Dean told the ECHO: “I still have a lot of regulars, some of them from before I was here. But everyone’s getting older – including myself – and a lot of them have passed away over the years. With all the new builds around here, the dynamics have changed. We get a fair share of younger people.”
The Coburg pub on Stanhope Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Unlike the nearby Cains Brewery Village, which thrives as a weekend destination, The Coburg leans more towards everyday locals and passers-by, as well as tourists staying in nearby hotels.
Dean explains: “This has been here for 150 years, and if someone wants something with a more local feel, they’ll normally head down here.”
The pub offers a straightforward drinks menu, with favourites like Heineken, Moretti, Guinness and Strongbow, alongside an ever-changing range of spirits. It also shows live football and music, and has a log and coal fire.
The Coburg pub on Stanhope Street(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Like many in hospitality, The Coburg has faced challenges in recent years. Dean said: “I don’t think hospitality has ever recovered from Covid.
“People’s habits changed. People don’t come out as much as they did, and they are looking more at money too.
“The way the cost of living is now, for everybody, is difficult.”
The Coburg pub is decked out for Halloween(Image: Liverpool Echo)
At the moment, the pub is getting into the festive spirit, fully decorated for Halloween night, when it’s hosting a fundraiser for Zoe’s Place. Dean adds: “The amount of interest shown so far has been really good.”
Whether you’re a lifelong Liverpudlian looking for a proper local pint or a visitor seeking a taste of neighbourhood life, The Coburg offers a welcoming space where old and new meet, and is a place that still feels authentic in an ever-changing area.