The Best Pubs in Liverpool

Liverpool’s pub scene is as rich and varied as the city’s maritime history. From ornate Victorian landmarks with etched glass and polished wood to intimate hideaways where live music spills onto cobbled streets. As someone who’s spent countless evenings exploring these characterful establishments, I’ve compiled this definitive guide to the best pubs in Liverpool – places where history, atmosphere, and perfectly poured pints come together to capture the city’s unique spirit.

Liverpool’s historic pubs offer a glimpse into the city’s rich past, with many dating back to the Victorian era when the port was at its busiest. These architectural treasures combine stunning interiors with centuries of stories.

Known affectionately as ‘The Phil’, this Grade I listed pub is arguably Liverpool’s most spectacular drinking establishment. Built in 1898 as a gentleman’s club, its ornate interiors feature mosaic floors, mahogany panels, and copper Art Nouveau gates. The men’s toilets are so famous they’re practically a tourist attraction in their own right – even John Lennon once complained that the downside of fame was “not being able to go to The Phil for a quiet pint”.

The Phil offers an excellent selection of real ales alongside hearty pub classics. Grab a seat in one of the smaller rooms with their comfortable couches for a more intimate experience away from the main bar.

Address: 36 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BX
Website: nicholsonspubs.co.uk

A stone’s throw from Lime Street Station, The Vines is the kind of pub that makes you pause at the door before stepping inside. Rebuilt in 1907 by Walter Thomas, it’s a masterpiece of Edwardian excess, with ornate plasterwork, mahogany panelling and stained glass catching the afternoon light.

The Billiards Room is the showpiece: a soaring dome of coloured glass, golden palm lamps and carved ceilings. Following major renovations in 2023, this Grade II-listed pub now serves 10 cask beers, including several from local breweries. Visit on a quieter weekday afternoon when the grandeur has space to breathe.

Address: 81 Lime Street, Liverpool L1 1JQ
Website: vinesbighouse.co.uk

Located near St. George’s Hall, Doctor Duncan’s occupies a stunning Victorian building decorated with traditional tiles and an impressive fireplace. Named after Liverpool’s first Medical Officer of Health, who introduced many public health innovations to the city, this pub combines historical significance with comfortable surroundings.

The high ceilings and large windows are perfect for people-watching, while the warmth from the fire makes you want to sink into one of their armchairs with a book and a pint. With 10 cask ales on tap and screens showing local matches, it balances traditional charm with modern amenities.

Address: St Johns Lane, Liverpool L1 1HF
Website: doctorduncans.com

Liverpool’s status as a major port city is reflected in its waterfront pubs, where sailors once drank and maritime traditions continue to influence the atmosphere.

A Grade II-listed gem on Liverpool’s historic dock road, The Baltic Fleet is a traditional 1850s pub that’s still doing exactly what it was built for. Named after the crews of Siberian whaling ships who frequented the area, its wedge-shaped profile and nautical-themed interior nod to its maritime past.

The pub houses the Wapping Brewery in its cellar, making it Liverpool’s only brewpub. It offers a rotating selection of cask ales, including stouts, ambers, and pale ales, brewed on-site and complemented by guest ales from local breweries. Whether you’re perched on the terrace watching boats drift along the Mersey or tucked inside beneath the creaking beams, The Baltic Fleet feels like a step back into Liverpool’s maritime past.

Address: 33A Wapping, Liverpool L1 8DQ
Website: balticfleet.co.uk

Tucked away off Water Street, around the corner from the Liver Building, lies a Liverpool institution. Ma Boyle’s dates to 1870, having been a cafe and oyster bar before becoming an alehouse and eatery serving the nearby business district.

With local beers on draught, it’s best to grab a pint and order a bowl of scouse. The city’s hearty signature dish comes in a few variations: classic, blind scouse (veggie-friendly), or in a pie with a buttery puff-pastry lid. Live music features heavily, including a Latin-jazz night every Friday from 7pm and jazz every Saturday from 8pm.

Address: Tower Building, 7 Tower Gardens, Liverpool L3 1LG
Website: maboyles.com

Liverpool’s musical heritage extends beyond The Beatles to a thriving pub scene where live performances are as important as the drinks menu.

Slip into Slater Street’s Jacaranda – or simply The Jac – and you’re walking into a slice of Liverpool music history. Opened in 1958 by local promoter Allan Williams, it was here that a ragtag group called The Silver Beetles first cut their teeth. Williams later packed them off to Hamburg, where endless nights on stage forged them into The Beatles – and when they returned, it was The Jac where they debuted their new name.

Today, the basement still pulses with live sets from emerging bands, while the upstairs bar hums with a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack and walls plastered in sepia shots of the Fab Four. There’s also a vinyl record store upstairs and even a community noticeboard for musicians seeking bandmates – a charming nod to the days before social media.

Address: 21-23 Slater Street, Liverpool L1 4BW
Website: jacarandarecords.com

This dog-friendly pub in the Georgian Quarter has transformed itself into one of Liverpool’s best venues for folk, jazz and blues. The Cali, as it’s affectionately known, hosts live music several nights a week, with impromptu sessions often breaking out among the regular musicians who frequent the place.

The pub also serves excellent vegan food, making it a favorite among the city’s meat-free crowd. With its relaxed atmosphere and community focus, The Caledonia represents the best of Liverpool’s inclusive, creative spirit.

Address: 22 Caledonia Street, Liverpool L7 7DX
Website: thecaledonialiverpool.com

Liverpool’s craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, with several pubs dedicated to showcasing the best brews from local and international breweries.

Since 1935, The Ship & Mitre has been a beacon for beer lovers at the top of Dale Street. Step inside and you’ll find a vaulted wooden ceiling that gives the place the feel of a permanent beer festival, with a vast board of options tacked up on paper strips near the door.

The range is formidable but never intimidating – rotating guest kegs, local cask ales and continental imports all poured with equal care. It’s the kind of pub where you can both nurse a pint of stout in peace or dive headlong into a flight of hazy IPAs. The kitchen keeps things hearty and unfussy, from beer-friendly plates to what they claim is Liverpool’s best scouse.

Address: 133 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2JH
Website: theshipandmitre.com

This tiny micropub in south Liverpool, near the leafy paradise of Sefton Park, punches well above its weight. What it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in community spirit and beer selection. Owners Si and Aggy have created a welcoming and inclusive pub with quiz nights, book clubs, discussions, and craft nights throughout the week.

There’s a rotating series of cask and keg beers, with a non-alcoholic beer on tap, and everything comes from independent breweries. The back room, known as the snug, is a space for conversations with friends or hanging out with dogs (which are welcome). If beer isn’t your thing, try out one of the spirits that are distilled onsite.

Address: 368 Aigburth Road, Liverpool L17 6AE
Website: thelittletaproom.co.uk

Some of Liverpool’s best pubs are found away from the city center in residential neighborhoods where locals gather for quality drinks and conversation.

Named after its licensee of 1897-1950, this popular establishment is steeped in history. The building itself is more than 160 years old and current landlady, Rita Smith, has been here for more than 30 years. She proudly says that this is the pub for everyman; even Quentin Tarantino has been in for a pint.

Go for the local ales and rotating guest beers, stay for the kitsch woodwork, Dickens-and-Hogarth-inspired murals and regular Irish music sessions. With its eclectic decor and genuine character, Peter Kavanagh’s represents the authentic Liverpool pub experience.

Address: 2-6 Egerton Street, Liverpool L8 7LY
Website: Facebook Page

Tucked away at the quieter end of Lark Lane near Sefton Park, The Bookbinder is a neighbourhood pub, wine bar, and eatery that feels like a well-loved local secret. Its eclectic charm is evident in the vintage board games lining the shelves, the 60s tunes and northern soul spinning on the speakers, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that invites you to linger.

The menu offers a mix of brunch, lunch, and dinner options, with daily specials and a focus on locally sourced ingredients. There are plenty of options for veggies and vegans, too. Whether you’re enjoying a hearty breakfast or a relaxing evening drink, The Bookbinder provides a welcoming retreat with a touch of nostalgia.

Address: 2 Lark Ln, Liverpool L17 8US
Website: bookbinderlarklane.com

A more recent addition to Lark Lane, The Green Man opened its doors in December 2022 and has quickly become a local favourite. Occupying a former restaurant space, the pub embraces a traditional atmosphere, with exposed beams, brickwork, and a warm, candlelit interior.

The bar pours a rotating selection of cask ales – from Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker to Titanic Plum Porter – alongside guest ales from local breweries. With its cosy corners, friendly staff, darts board, and a mix of traditional pub games, The Green Man offers a welcoming spot to enjoy a pint and unwind.

Address: 43-45 Lark Lane, Liverpool L17 8UW
Website: greenmanpubliverpool.co.uk

Beyond the well-known establishments lie some truly unique pubs that offer something different from the mainstream.

Tucked away on Bridgewater Street, Hobo Kiosk is less a pub and more a wonderfully eccentric escape. Step down the wooden stairs and you’ll find yourself in a world of unique artwork and colourful curiosities – a surreal backdrop for what is, at heart, one of the friendliest spots in Liverpool.

Local beers flow from the taps, conversations spark easily with regulars, and owner Delia makes a point of welcoming first-timers as if they’d been coming for years. The drinks list veers towards the unusual – think lesser-seen styles like Gose – while the tongue-in-cheek house rules set the tone. Close the door behind you, grab a pint, and enjoy Liverpool’s most endearingly offbeat pub.

Address: 9 Bridgewater Street, Liverpool, L1 0AR
Website: hobokiosk.com

Step inside The Bridewell on Campbell Square and you’re walking through Liverpool history. Once a Victorian police lock-up, the building’s seven cells held up to 100 “guests” a month, with Charles Dickens famously sworn in as a special constable for one night in 1860 while researching The Uncommercial Traveller.

In the early 1980s, one of the back cells even became a rehearsal space for Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Today, exposed brick, spiked iron railings and other historical features set the scene for a pub that celebrates its past while serving up modern hospitality. Local beers flow from the taps, the whisky collection is extensive, and the service is attentive without fuss.

Address: 1 Campbell Square, Liverpool, L1 5FB
Website: thebridewellpub.co.uk

Housed in one of Liverpool’s oldest buildings, The Monro is a re-imagined traditional Dublin pub inside a Listed merchant’s mansion. The Georgian townhouse – built in the 1700s and once licensed as a beer, wine and spirit merchant – still stands proud with its elegant façade, while inside, the glow of a log fire warms traditional décor.

Spanning two floors and two beer gardens, it’s perfect year-round – from cosy winter evenings by the fire to sunny summer afternoons outdoors. The bar serves an extensive range of cask ales, stouts, and spirits, alongside legendary locally sourced pies that never disappoint.

Address: 92 Duke Street, Liverpool L1 5AG
Website: themonro.com

Liverpool’s strong Irish heritage is reflected in its excellent Irish pubs, where traditional music, hearty food, and perfectly poured Guinness create an authentic Celtic atmosphere.

With its garish green exterior, gold lettering, and giant mural of a ginger-haired docker painted on the side of the building (inspired by the 19th century connection between Liverpool and Ireland), Shenanigans proudly wears its Irish identity. This independent Irish pub/eatery down in the Business District does a mean Sunday Roast and a banging all-day breakfast, with a rooftop bar for sunny days.

The drinks menu features Irish classics alongside creative options like the “Irish Flag” and “Irish Cookie” shots. It’s a place that balances authentic Irish pub atmosphere with modern touches.

Address: 77 Tithebarn Street, Liverpool L2 2EN
Website: shenanigansliverpool.com

Less of a pub and more of landmark, Pogue’s is not one to be missed off your Liverpool Irish pub crawl. Situated at the very top of Seel Street, this place is renowned and treasured for its authentic atmosphere. The crackle of a roaring fire and the aroma of soggy beer mats meet the comfort of well-worn leather armchairs to create a multi-sensory experience you won’t forget.

Stick around for live sport, live music and a proper pint of Guinness – widely regarded as one of the best in the city. The name, by the way, is Irish Gaelic for “kiss my arse” – a fact that reflects the pub’s irreverent character.

Address: 77 Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4BB
Website: Facebook Page

Liverpool’s pub scene offers something for everyone – from architectural marvels and historic watering holes to intimate music venues and quirky hidden gems. The best approach is to mix and match from this list based on your interests, whether that’s sampling the finest real ales, soaking up some Beatles history, or simply enjoying the warm Scouse welcome that makes Liverpool’s pubs so special.

Most of these pubs are within walking distance of each other in the city center, making it easy to visit several in one day. The Georgian Quarter (around Hope Street) and the Baltic Triangle area both offer clusters of excellent pubs within a short stroll of each other. For those venturing further afield, Lark Lane in Sefton Park is worth the short taxi ride for its concentration of characterful drinking spots.