Is ale and hearty
Brewer evenings.
The 12 handpumps offer the best all-round choice of microbrewery beers in Southport – regular orders are placed with Phoenix, Saltaire, Titanic and Hawkshead
There is outside seating in Lord Street. 5. Tap & Bottles
19A Cambridge Southport, PR8 1EN
12pm-11pm (midnight Fri & Sat); 12pm10.30pm Sun (01704) 544322
Four changing beers.
The Tap & Bottles is a micropub situated in the arcade between Chapel Street and Lord Street next to the Atkinson Centre.
It has recently expanded into the unit next door.
Four real ales may come from virtually any brewery, with a preference for North West beers.
A huge range of bottles is also offered – but not all are real ale in a bottle.
Pork pies and chutney are available all day.
Children are welcome until 7pm. Walk, 6. Willow Grove
387-389 Lord Street, Southport, PR9 0AG (on A565)
8am-midnight (01704) 517830
Greene King Abbot; Marston’s Wainwright; Moorhouse’s Pendle Witches Brew; Phoenix Wobbly Bob; Ruddles Best Bitter; Shepherd Neame Bishop’s Finger; nine changing beers (sourced regionally; often Bank Top, Parker, Saltaire) .
The Willow Grove is a quiet Wetherspoon pub in Lord Street, opposite the war memorial, with an emphasis on real ale and food.
The interior is L-shaped with a long bar, some cubicles and a mixture of furniture including comfy settees, chairs and tables.
Ten handpumps dispense a choice of beers from breweries ranging from the local Parker to other micros to nationals. 7. Barrel House 42 Liverpool Road, Birkdale, Southport, PR8 4AY
10am-9.30pm 566601
Two changing beers (often Parker, Salopian, Southport).
The Barrel House micropub opened in May 2014.
A former newsagent’s and still selling daily papers, it owes its existence to the Sainsbury’s that opened across the road – as it could not compete, it changed business.
It is an Aladdin’s cave of bottled beers, wines, looseleaf teas and speciality coffees.
It also offers two real ales on handpumps, usually from local breweries such as Parker. (01704) 8. Grasshopper
70 Sandon Road, Hillside, Southport, PR8 4QD (01704) 569794 Five changing beers (sourced regionally; often Bank Top, 3 Potts, Salopian)
A micropub opened in 2016 in what was an old Martins Bank branch until 1978.
The name is taken from the old logo of Martins Bank which featured a grasshopper.
The pub is situated in the row of shops just down the road from Hillside station.
Food can be ordered from a nearby takeaway and eaten in the pub.
Children are welcome until 8pm. 9. The Pines 3 Hillside Road, Hillside, Southport, PR8 4QB
4pm-10.30; 12pm-11pm Sat; closed Sun 07454 453090
Two changing beers (sourced regionally; often Red Star, Salopian, Southport)
Newly opened, attractively decorated bar in a former hairdressers’ in what was previously an area with no pubs or bars.
Beers on two handpumps are dispensed alongside a good selection of bottled beers.
An interesting food menu includes home-made tapas, sandwiches and breakfast.
Treats are available for well behaved dogs, and there is an outside seating area at the front. 10. Sparrowhawk
Southport Old Formby L37 0AB
10.30am (9am Sat) to 11pm; 9am-10.30 Sun (01704) 882350
Salopian Oracle; Titanic Plum Porter; three changing beers (sourced regionally)
A first-rate place to eat and drink.
The emphasis here is on dining but the well-kept beer range is varied and interesting.
Set in an old country house with gardens, it offers a relaxing oasis between the towns of Road, Formby and Ainsdale.
Weekends can get busy for food but the pleasant patio is a welcome retreat.
Dogs are welcome on a lead. 11. Beer Station
3 Victoria Buildings, Freshfield L37 7DB
12pm-9pm (10pm Fri & Sat) (01704) 807450
Three changing beers (sourced locally; often Neptune, Red Star)
Freshfield’s first micropub, with local produce given a heavy prominence.
Beers are sourced to promote local brewers, with the exception of one “foreign” beer a month from outside the region.
The few spirits available also have their provenance checked.
A fridge full of bottled beers adds to the variety.
Food comes in the form of local pies and nuts.
The walls are decorated with work by local artists.
Dogs are welcome on a lead. 12. Freshfield
1 Massams Lane, Freshfield L37 7BD
11am-11pm (midnight Sat); 12pm-11pm Sun (01704) 874871
Greene King IPA, Abbot; Oakham Citra; 11 changing beers (sourced regionally)
A former Camra National Pub of the Year finalist and multi award-winner.
At its heart a community pub, it has three distinct areas – a dining-room, a bar area dominated by a bar full of handpumps, and “the flags”, where well behaved dogs are allowed.
Sport is shown on three large TVs and A real fire adds warmth in winter.