The Merseyside Pub Guide

by Phil Wieland

HOYLAKE

Pub	Beer	Comments	Location
Aura		Looks like an up market cafe bar. Not visited.	Market Street / School Lane
Blue Anchor	Directors, Theakston, John Smith's	An enormous, very nicely done out two-sided pub, quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Last visited October 2006.	Market Street / Waverley Road
Eskimo		A fashionable-looking bar. Not visited.	Albert Road / Charles Road
Green Lodge Hotel	Burtonwood, guests	A nice food-oriented pub in a large free-standing building, surprisingly quiet on both of my visits. The pleasant interior is large and somewhat labyrinthine, with a fine mirror over the real fire at one end. It's a shame the Top Hat is keg, especially as on my first visit I ordered some without realising. No such mistake the second time, and I enjoyed a fine pint of Burtonwood bitter. Last visited 2004.	2 Stanley Road / Kings Gap
Jack Rabbit Slim's (Fire House)	Tetley / Carlsberg, Stella	Rather nicely doen stylish modern decor with comfortable sofas in a high 'shed' of a building, presumably an old fire station. The menu is up market and not cheap. Not visited since the name change. Last visited 2004.	Station Road / Albert Road
La Bodega Lounge Bar	Hoegaarden, John Smith's / Stella	Comfy sofas in this modern styled - pale wood floor and pastel walls - bar with large patio doors on to the street giving an open feel. The menu looks reasonably priced. Last visited 2004.	Market Street / Albert Road
Lake	John Smith's, Stones / Carling, Stella	This real traditional two-sided local boozer is well cared for. Last visited 2004.	Lake Place / Grove Road
Orange Grove		CLOSED?? Not visited.	30 Queen street
Plasterer's Arms	various	Traditional decor in one L-shaped room plus a tiny snug, in this small friendly well cared for local, serving some excellent ales. Part of the ceiling is covered in old mirrors. Don't sit under the drip! There's a nice beer yard across the road. Last visited October 2006.	Back Sea View / Grove Place
Punch Bowl	guest, Boddingtons, Flowers, Trophy / Heineken	Rather fine original looking wood panelled 30s decor in this large multi-roomed pub. The quiet back room has wood panels, book shelves and a real fireplace. The paint on the nice ceiling plasterwork is perhaps a little garish. This pub shut when I passed by on a wet Wednesday in late 2006. Last visited 1999.	Market Street / Trinity Road
Ship	various, John Smith's	A nice interior in this multi-roomed antique pub, and a nice beer garden behind. Up to twelve real ales are available - too many to list here.   Jazz Last visited October 2006.	Market Street / Melrose Avenue
Tides		Looks like an up market cafe bar. Not visited.	Market Street / Albert Road
Wetherspoon's Hoylake Lights	usuals	Fine decor, cheap food and well kept ale in a large converted shop - in fact, a typical Wetherspoon's. Very popular for dinner on a Sunday afternoon, and the food's very good. There's a small beer yard at the rear. Last visited October 2006.	Market Street / Alderley Road