Best Pubs in Liverpool
It’s safe to say there are a lot of pubs in Liverpool, but how can you tell which are the best places to drink?
Liverpool is renowned for being the city of culture, and this culture stems back way into history. With this comes a whole heritage of drinking and therefore age-hold taverns. You can learn a lot about the locals when drinking in their watering holes, and really get a feel for that Scouse hospitality. Better still, Liverpool has something for everyone – even modern style venues if old ales aren’t up your street. Read on to find some of the top pubs in Liverpool to quench your thirst.
1. Baltic Fleet
It’s easy to get a slice of classic Liverpool – just walk into Baltic Fleet! This central pub has made it’s mark in the city from the 19th century. From the outside, this listed building boasts traditional features and architecture. Once you’re in, be greeted by a cosy fireplace, mahogany bar and own cellar-brewed ales. It’s easy to walk to from Central train station or Lime Street and is a great way to get a lick of history with your pint.
33A Wapping, L1 8DQ | Website
2. Peter Kavanagh’s
Although Peter Kavanagh’s pub is outside the central ring of the city, it’s definitely worth the short journey. This 1844 built tavern is CAMRA’s 2019 pub of the year, which speaks volumes in a sea of fantastic Liverpool watering holes. Found in the Georgian quarter, the pub oozes a cosy atmosphere once you get passed the bright red tiles outside. While you’re there, make sure to learn about Peter Kavanagh, the extravagant owner himself.
2-6 Egerton St, L8 7LY
3. The Ship & Mitre
If you love a themed pub, head over to The Ship and Mitre on Dale Street. This multi-story venue has been a local favourite for nearly a century, and it’s not hard to see why. Entering you’ll see the downstairs bar is made to be the inside of a ship with wooden bannisters and ship’s wheels for tables. They’re famed for their epic range of world beers and 15 hand-pulls of real ales at the bar.
133 Dale St, L2 2JH | Website
4. The Caledonia
Named after the street it sits on, The Caledonia is where traditional taverns meet modern day crowds. This old boozer is popular with everyone, from students to age old locals. Of course, the beer is always flowing but they also have a host of live music nearly every night of the year to keep you entertained. On top of that, they have gone full vegan with their menu and even have a community bookshelf if you fancy a read. Check out some of the best pubs in Belfast.
22 Caledonia St, L7 7DX | Website
5. Cavern Pub
This might be an obvious one, but you can’t go to Liverpool without doing at least one thing The Beatles themed. If you don’t fancy the Cavern Club, why not head opposite to the Cavern Pub? Here, you’ll find live music and rock memorabilia covering all the walls. The venue has seen an impressive amount of famous faces including The Beatles (obviously), Led Zeppelin and Stevie Wonder just to name a few. If you go, you might end up seeing a star in the making!
10 Mathew St, L2 6RE | Website
6. The Grapes
As a whole, Mathew Street has a lot of Beatles-themed heritage as it was one of the guys favourite places to come and drink. The Grapes in particular was a hotspot for Paul and the lads, and they even have indicators to where the famous four sat. The Grapes is everything you need from an olde pub, beer on tap, real ales and even some cheeky karaoke nights. We've also got a list of the best clubs in Liverpool.
25 Mathew St, L2 6RE | Website
7. The Philharmonic
Known to locals as “The Phil”, this big boozer might look fairly familiar to you. That’s because it was the venue for James Corden and Paul McCartney’s spontaneous gig on the segment of Carpool Karaoke! The dark wood interior is a glimpse into the past, with stained glass windows and leather sofas for a lap of luxury. Even though the venue looks fairly luxe, the prices are still the same as your classic best pubs in Liverpool.
36 Hope St, L1 9BX | Website
8. The Shipping Forecast
The Shipping Forecast is the perfect pub in Liverpool for big groups! Mainly because the venue itself is massive. But also, the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming for all. Unlike some of the old-style taverns on this list, The Shipping Forecast is more contemporary with a casual vibe. You can order American-style food, but the shining star of this central venue is the craft beers on tap. They have a flavour for everyone, with 7 hand-picked ales, beers and lagers to pour from.
15 Slater St, L1 4BW | Website
Best Beer Gardens in Liverpool?
When the sun is shining sometimes all you want to do is head out with friends, soak up some sun and enjoy a beer or two. So we have put together a little list of the best beer gardens in Liverpool that will be perfect for you to head to on a sunny afternoon.
- Buyers Club | 24 Hardman Street
- The Botanist | Chavasse Park One
- Red Door | 21-23 Berry Street
- Ye Cracke | 13 Rice Street
- The Pump House | Albert Dock
- The Merchant | 40 Slater Street
9. The Old Post Office
The number one thing that the Old Post Office pub brands itself for is unpretentious entertainment. They’ve stripped away all the frills to bring you a charming Victorian local that you can feel at home in. All the interior décor is traditional and the drinks on offer as classics. Built back in the 1800’s, this pub is proud to be Souse with Liverpool maps on the wall and the two rival footy teams playing on their screens.
17 Old Post Office Pl, L1 3DH
10. Ye Cracke
You won’t be surprised to hear that Ye Cracke also has a link to The Beatles – but more specifically John Lennon. This tiny, unassuming pub on Rice Street was one of Lennon’s favourite boozers to relax in. Although it’s tucked away, this charming little boozer is always packed with locals and Beatles fans alike. People have come from Japan and Mexico to drink like Lennon in between dark wood and the smell of ale!
13 Rice St, L1 9BB
11. O’Neill’s
Although this is a guide to good pubs in Liverpool, it wouldn’t be a pub list without an Irish pub! Traditional Irish pubs are everywhere, but a local Liverpool favourite is O’Neill’s. Because O’Neill’s is a chain, it offers a more modern, clean-cut appearance and centre’s around sport most days. Inside you’ll find huge screens, live music and a drinks menu with an Irish twist. O’Neill’s is always at it’s busiest on St Paddy’s Day!
68 Hanover Street, L1 4AG | Website
12. Dovedale Towers
We can guarantee you’ll have a unique experience in Dovedale Towers, a pub unlike any other. This venue is particularly posh from the outside and has been all sorts of different places throughout history. From an orphanage to a Russian Embassy, guest house for Freddie Mercury and now a pub – it’s changed a lot! However, most of the original features are intact, Dovedale Towers prides itself on being local in everything it does and serves.
60 Penny Lane, L18 1DG | Website
13. Doctor Duncan’s
The first thing you’ll notice about Doctor Duncan’s is the hugely impressive interior. The pub is just a hop, skip and jump away from Lime Street and features Victorian tiles, vintage medical memorabilia and decadent columns. This Liverpool pub is named after Doctor Duncan, who campaigned against poor living conditions in Liverpool in in the 1840s-50s.
St John’s Lane, L1 1HF
Need more Liverpool Ideas?
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- Best Clubs in Liverpool
- Best Vegan Restaurants in Liverpool
- Best Restaurants in Liverpool
- Best Breakfast & Brunch in Liverpool
- Best Bars in Liverpool City Centre
- Best Hotels in Liverpool
Pair your drinking with some excellent stag do activities in Liverpool! We send thousands of groups on stag weekends a year and have over 250+ experiences in Liverpool city centre and across the UK.