Four Pubs on the Wirral

In which we explore a bit of the Wirral peninsula, marvel at the New Brighton street art, enjoy a couple of classic pubs, and the rare treat of a pint of John Smiths Smooth & fine tiling in the heritage boozer.

We caught the train under the Mersey to the end of the line at New Brighton, the seaside resort at the tip of the peninsula which is home to around 15,000 people.

The grey day is instantly brightened up by the colourful mermaid just across the road from the station.

There's a fair number of mermaid statues dotted around - Mrs PropUptheBar has the whole collection, being as she takes pictures of interesting stuff and looks on patiently whilst I prance around photographing pubs. 

New Brighton has the longest promenade in the UK according to Wikipedia, although it says 'citation needed', so may not be quite right.
We followed this inland, with sandy beaches to our left and great views across the river to Liverpool.  Around 15-minutes later we reached out first pub of the day - one that I was really looking forward to...

Magazine Hotel (7 Magazine Row, New Brighton, CH45 1HP - web)
It looks absolutely glorious from the outside, with angular frontage and plentitude of Bass signage.
Sadly no Bass within, but there was a Doom Bar with a homemade pump clip.
And a good choice of local beers for anyone not wholly convinced by the countries favourite beer.  I went for the sensible strength pale ale, 'Padi' from the local Big Bog Brewery.
The building has been here for a good 250+ years, fortunately surviving a fire in 2010.
From the central bar there were three rooms branching off, all looking equally comfortable with proper pub carpets and proper pub furniture.

Tucked down a narrow section of the bar by the window, we were thoroughly comfortable in the Magazine.  The staff were friendly and welcoming, the beer great, and our plate of food for lunch good value and filling.  Bit of a winner!

Leaving the pub, we strolled along Magazine Brow, past the Pilot Boat which also looked pretty good (next time!) and into Vale Park.
There were strange things afoot in the park...

New Brighton's main streets are exuberantly colourful and impressive.  There's some fine murals and bright painting on the brickwork above the shops.

You also get the James Atherton pub, which caught a bit of national attention in October 2020 when it rebranded overnight with the new name 'The Three Bellends' in response to the Boris & co's Tier 3 pub regulations.  It's signage above the door currently features Johnson and Hancock in hard hats - 'The Two Helmets'.

And a bit more political street art - you'd almost think that the whole country isn't 100% behind our illustrious leaders, wouldn't you?

On the main colourful thoroughfare of New Brighton was our next destination, the Bow Legged Beagle micro pub...

Bow Legged Beagle (88 Victoria Road, New Brighton, CH45 2JF)
Beers on the bar came from Lancaster Brewery, Salopian, Coach House and Liverpool Brewing Company, whose 'Liverpool Stout' was my pick of the bunch.

The beer choice and quality were great. 
And I fully approve of the walls plastered with pump clips.
Quirky signage for the loos, with the ladies being marked with a martini glass and the gents a beer bottle.  The gents just get a urinal (reminding me of the loo in a repurposed cupboard in the Euston Tap) prompting someone to write "help I need a poo" on the wall behind it.

I just felt that the downside, on this occasion, was that the clientele were a handful of locals sat at the bar.  It sort of felt as though we'd intruded on their private session.

We jumped back aboard the Merseyrail train and traveled a few stops to Conway Park, from where it was just a few minutes on foot to a pub from the Heritage guide.

And doesn't it look absolutely fantastic? (I've cut out the A-boards and posters in windows advertising karaoke, cocktails and special offers on Bud Light).

Stork Hotel (41-43 Price Street, Birkenhead, CH41 6JN)
Built in 1840, this was a Threlfalls pub, later to be part of the Whitbread estate.  Inside it has the same bar design as the Lion Hotel in central Liverpool.  The front bar has a regular counter, whilst the ornate bar back curves around a lobby area with its impressive mosaic floor.  Those sitting in the adjoining news room would have once been served at their tables by the press of a bell.

I did find a "Good Beer Guide, we're in it" sticker on a pane of glass on the way to the loo, but this was from 2002, so we were a little late for a GBG tick.  The handpumps at the end of the bar were redundant as I suspected they may be when I saw the 'Booze Deals' advertised outside.
So it was a John Smiths Smooth, at an agreeable price of £2.80.

Just a handful of regulars in at the time of our visit, the local postman propping up the bar.  With your karaoke and 5 bottles of Becks for £11, I imagine there's quite an interesting evening clientele and less opportunity to arse around taking pictures of heritage pub features.

We walked a short way across Hamilton Square Gardens and onto the main road, making our way to Birkenhead's current Good Beer Guide entry...

Gallaghers (20 Chester Street, Birkenhead, CH41 5DQ)
I was instantly impressed by this pub, even if I was 6-or-so years late for the barbers shop.  Never mind, I've got quite a well-controlled and presentable head of hair at the moment.

The building dates back to the 1820's and has traded under a number of names including the Chester Arms and Dispensary.  It closed in 2010 and was rescued and refurbished by a former Irish guardsman as a pub/barbers shop combo.  Since 2016 it's just a pub, but it's a good'un.

Snooker on the TV.
Bar staff cheerfully singing along to the Jam, the Specials and the Stranglers - the best soundtrack of the day.
And a decent choice of beers, from which I picked the local Brimstage 'Trapper's Hat' golden ale.
The walls were covered in framed pictures, with a display of model aircraft, marching band drums, flags and military uniforms...

I'll finish with the picture of Gallaghers from outside, the Birkenhead Drill mural on it's wall and the Liverpool skyline on the horizon...

As the sun set we headed back to t'other side of the river and a few more of the pubs on the fearsomely long list of Liverpool recommendations.

I'd only previously made it to the Wirral once in the past - a couple of pints in 'Spoons and a trek to Tranmere Rovers - but left vowing that I'd be back another time to explore a little further afield.
Cheers! 🍺