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Pints, Pubs and Personality: My Day Drinking Through Southport
I spent the day exploring Southport’s best micropubs and traditional locals, each with its own character and charm. I started at The Beer Den, a cosy spot with great ales, then wandered to The Barrel House in Birkdale — small but buzzing. From there, I visited The Grasshopper, Beer Station, and The Tin Shed, all welcoming and full of personality. Back in Southport, I called into Tap & Bottles, Masons Arms, The Guesthouse, and The Windmill before finishing at The Lakeside Inn — Britain’s smallest pub. Every stop had a great pint, a friendly atmosphere, and that proper local feel I love.
Southport and Formby both have that classic seaside charm, but their histories are pretty different. Southport started off as a small fishing village called Meols, and by the early 19th century it had turned into a fancy Victorian resort – all thanks to the railways and people wanting a seaside escape. That’s when the grand pier and promenade popped up. Formby, on the other hand, has older roots, with evidence of Vikings hanging about the coastline ages ago. It stayed quieter for longer, known for its dunes, red squirrels, and beach walks.
Beer Den
My first call was a short walk from Lord Street in Southport to The Beer Den. The Beer Den on Duke Street opened in 2018, taking over a former computer shop in one of Southport’s old Victorian terraces. The building, dating back to around 1865, was originally a row of small shops with rooms above and has seen all sorts of uses over the years. It’s now run by Parker Brewery from Banks, a local brewery started in 2014 that’s become a big name in Southport’s craft beer scene but no longer brewing at present. In 2023, the Beer Den began expanding into the old Abbey Photography unit next door, breathing new life into one of Duke Street’s most historic stretches.
Inside The Beer Den, it’s got that laid-back, cosy feel you want from a proper local. The place is small but welcoming, with a wooden bar, warm lighting, and a mix of tables and comfy seats tucked into corners. There’s a relaxed buzz most nights — the kind of spot where people actually chat instead of scroll. The décor’s simple and a bit rustic, with exposed brick and a few quirky touches that make it feel homely without trying too hard. It’s the sort of pub where you can settle in for “just one” and end up staying all evening.
On the bar a great line up of 3 cask ales, alongside a range of keg options and other drinks. I went with “Rascal” from Problem Child Brewing. A lovely refreshing Pale Ale hopped with Amarillo and Cascade hops to give it a fantastic flavour.
The Barrel House
A short 10 minute walk brings me to Birkdale to visit The Barrel House. The Barrel House, at 42 Liverpool Road in Birkdale, Southport, occupies a building that for many years served as a local newsagent before being converted into a micropub in May 2014. The change came in response to plans for a nearby convenience store, which threatened the viability of the existing business. To maintain the independent use of the premises, it was transformed into a small community venue. Much of the original shop layout and frontage was retained, reflecting the modest commercial architecture typical of Birkdale village. Located within the Birkdale Village Conservation Area, the building continues to contribute to the preservation of the late 19th- and early 20th-century streetscape and remains a distinctive feature of Liverpool Road.
Inside, the Barrel House is compact, with a small indoor seating area. Shelves of bottled drinks line one wall, with refrigerated units beneath. The bar counter sits toward the rear of the space, featuring a display case and other equipment. The opposite wall is decorated with fern-patterned wallpaper. Seating consists of a mix of stools and rattan-style chairs, arranged around simple tables. At the front, a small outdoor area provides extra seating behind a low barrier, allowing customers to sit outside and watch the life of Birkdale village go by.
Great to see this place busy. On the bar a choice of 2 cask ales, alongside with a range of keg beers to choose from. In here I went with “Parachute” from Tatton Brewery. A super tasty, light and fruity pale ale. Really enjoyable.
The Grasshopper
A quick journey on the train from Birkdale to Hillside brings me to The Grasshopper. The Grasshopper in Hillside began life as a Martins Bank branch, closing in 1978 when the bank merged into Barclays. The building kept its distinctive grasshopper logo, which later inspired its name when it was converted into a pub decades later. Locals fondly remember it as a familiar landmark in the heart of Hillside, retaining much of its original character. Since its reopening, the Grasshopper has become part of the area’s heritage — a reminder of Hillside’s mix of traditional community life and adaptive reuse of old buildings that keep local history alive in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Inside, the Grasshopper is a small, single-room pub with wooden floors and a traditional bar counter. It retains features from its former life as a Martins Bank branch, including parts of the old vault area. The layout is open but cosy, with tables and benches arranged around the central bar. Décor includes photographs, local memorabilia, and simple wood furnishings. There is a small rear area leading to an outdoor beer garden. The pub has a relaxed, traditional interior typical of a modern British micropub, focusing on conversation and community rather than loud music or television.
On the bar a choice of 6 cask ales, alongside a range of ciders and keg options. My beer selection in here was “Hornby Gold” from Neptune Brewery. A light session Blonde Ale, packed full of flavour and very refreshing to drink.
Beer Station
Onto Freshfield next, 2 stops down on the train from Hillside. Here I visited Beer Station. The Beer Station in Freshfield opened in July 2016 in a former newsagent’s shop beside the railway station — a building that had long served the local community. The site has stood for decades, once catering to commuters and nearby residents before being transformed into a pub. Its name reflects the area’s connection to the railway and its role in Freshfield’s growth as a commuter hub for Liverpool. The conversion preserved much of the building’s original charm, turning a familiar local spot into a modern gathering place that still echoes the village’s history and community spirit.
Inside it’s cosy and down-to-earth — one small room with a relaxed, friendly feel. The décor mixes clean white walls with colourful local artwork and a few quirky touches. The bar is the real talking point: the top was once part of a church choir stall, complete with carved angel heads at each end, giving the place a bit of character and charm. There’s a handful of tables, a gentle buzz of conversation, and the kind of warmth that makes it easy to stay for “just one more.” It’s simple, genuine, and very much a local’s spot.
A selection here of 3 cask ales along with a range of keg options, ciders and a choice of cans and bottles. I opted to go for “Citra Storm” from Deeply Vale Brewery. A superb light hoppy Pale Ale, super tasty and very sessionable.
The Tin Shed
Next up is The Tin Shed in Formby. Before it became the Tin Shed, the spot at 60 Brows Lane had a very different life. There are no records of it ever being another pub — before opening as a micropub in 2021, the building was home to a vape and tobacconist shop, trading under names like Formby Vapours and Mersey Vapour. When they took over, they gave the place a full makeover, turning it into a cosy, no-frills watering hole. Since then, it’s become a favourite local hangout for craft beer fans, swapping the scent of e-liquid for freshly poured pints and good conversation.
The Tin Shed is a small, single-room micropub with a warm, rustic feel. Inside, there are wooden tables and benches, exposed brickwork, and industrial-style touches like metal fixtures and simple lighting. The space is compact and sociable, designed to encourage conversation rather than distractions. A great calm, friendly atmosphere. The layout is open and uncluttered, with customers often sharing tables and chatting easily. A small outdoor area provides extra seating, and the overall feel is welcoming, informal, and community focused, true to the classic micropub style.
On the bar a range of 3 cask ales along with a line up of keg options to choose from. “Yellow Submarine” from Rock The Boat was my choice of ale. A fantastic, tasty and enjoyable Golden Ale, packed full of great flavour.
Tap & Bottles
On the train from Formby to Southport for my remaining visits of the evening. First up is Tap and Bottles. Tap & Bottles, a micro-pub in Southport’s Cambridge Walks, opened in 2014 and quickly became a cornerstone of the town’s craft beer scene. Housed in a former shop, it was among the first venues locally to focus on rotating cask ales, craft kegs, and bottled beers. Its success helped spark Southport’s growing interest in independent beer culture. Within just a few years, it was awarded Merseyside CAMRA Pub of the Year (notably in 2016) and gained a loyal following for its friendly, knowledgeable service and relaxed atmosphere. By the early 2020s, Tap & Bottles had celebrated its 10-year anniversary as a beloved community fixture.
Inside feels warm and relaxed — the sort of place where you can settle in and lose track of time. It’s softly lit, snug without feeling cramped, with a mix of small tables, stools and a few benches. The walls are dotted with local artwork, old signs and a few quirky touches that give it character. There’s an easy hum of conversation and a friendly, down-to-earth feel that makes it welcoming to everyone. Tucked away in the arcade, it’s the perfect spot to unwind, chat with friends and soak up a bit of Southport charm.
Always a fantastic selection in here, with 4 cask lines, 12 keg lines and fridges full of cans and bottles to choose from. The cheeseboard they offer is well worth every penny and was delicious! “Port of Call” from Botelai Brewing was my beer choice, a well hopped IPA using Sabro and Idaho 7 hops. Very enjoyable.
Masons Arms
Masons Arms in Southport has been around since the mid-1800s, tucked away behind the old post office near the station. Originally a Robinsons pub, it stood out for years as the only one of its kind in town. Locals say it’s been serving pints since at least 1851, making it one of Southport’s longest-standing watering holes. Though it’s changed hands over time, it’s still a well-known spot with plenty of character — a little piece of local history that’s seen the town grow up around it.
Inside the Masons Arms, it’s all about old-school charm and character. You’ll find dark wooden beams, low ceilings, and that slightly uneven floor that gives it real personality. The walls are packed with vintage photos, brass bits, and quirky pub memorabilia that tell their own story. There are snug little corners and cosy seating areas that make it feel welcoming but never overdone. The lighting’s warm and soft, giving everything a golden glow, especially in the evenings. It’s the sort of place that feels lived-in and loved — full of history, atmosphere, and that proper old-pub feel you don’t see much anymore.
On the bar a range of 5 cask ales on the bar alongside a range of keg options to choose from. “Bitter Number 5” from Lakeland Beer was my drink of choice. A very sessionable, easy drinking and delicious Pale Ale.
The Guesthouse
A quick walk brings me next to The Guesthouse. The Guest House in Southport was built around 1910 for local brewer Robert Haslam, and it’s a classic bit of Edwardian charm. The outside’s a mix of sandstone and timber with leaded windows and that old-school “Brewers’ Tudor” look. Above the door, there’s a fancy plaster sign that says “The Guest House,” with roses carved around it. The place has big gabled bays, dormer windows up top, and tall chimneys that give it real character. It’s been Grade II listed since 2002, so all that lovely old detail is here to stay.
Walking into The Guest House feels like stepping back in time to a proper old-fashioned local. It’s full of character — dark wood panelling, leaded windows, and cosy little snugs where you can tuck yourself away. There are open fireplaces, brass fittings, and vintage décor that give it a classic charm. The lighting is soft, the atmosphere warm, and the rooms are arranged around a small central bar. It’s the kind of place built for conversation and comfort, with plenty of original features that show off its early 20th-century roots.
A choice of 6 cask ales on the bar when I arrived, alongside a cider and a range of keg options. I opted to go with “Dark Night” from Southport Brewery. A super tasty, smooth and dry Mild Ale flavoured with coffee and chocolate.
The Windmill
Heading towards the seafront brings me to The Windmill. The Windmill on Seabank Road, Southport, is one of the town’s oldest pubs, with origins dating back to around 1833. It began life as three fishermen’s cottages before being converted into a beerhouse, with James Rimmer recorded as the first landlord in 1848. Over time, The Windmill grew in size and reputation, passing through the hands of several breweries, including Nuttalls, Matthew Brown, and Scottish & Newcastle. Despite changes in ownership and the passing of years, it has remained a familiar and enduring part of Southport’s local history.
Inside the layout reflects its 19th-century origins, with connected rooms, wooden floors, and panelled walls in green and cream. Traditional furnishings include wooden tables, cushioned benches, and framed prints along the walls. A central corridor leads through to seating areas and a small stage space. The bar features brass fittings and chalkboards listing local ales. Period wallpaper, mirrors, and vintage details preserve its historic feel, while practical touches like board games and noticeboards show its role as a community hub. The atmosphere combines traditional pub character with an informal, welcoming setting.
On the bar a range of 5 cask ales along with a selection of keg beers and other options. “Biscuit Barrel” from Moorhouse’s Brewery was my drink of choice in here. A superb Best Bitter, malty with some great flavours coming through.
The Lakeside Inn
Last up was The Lakeside Inn. The Lakeside Inn in Southport has been around since the late 1800s or early 1900s, sitting right by the Marine Lake. It started out serving visitors wandering the promenade and eventually became famous as Britain’s smallest pub — a title it still proudly claims. The little timber building is now Grade II listed, so it’s officially part of Southport’s heritage. Over the years, it’s seen plenty of locals and holidaymakers come and go, keeping that classic seaside charm that makes it such a fun, quirky part of the town’s history.
The Lakeside Inn is tiny but full of charm. Outside, it’s a cute little timber-framed building right on the edge of the Marine Lake, with a small terrace that’s perfect for sitting in the sun and watching the water. Inside, it’s cosy and snug — you can pretty much see the whole place from the door. There’s a small bar, wooden beams, old photos of Southport, and that friendly pub feel where everyone ends up chatting. It’s simple, warm, and a bit quirky — exactly what you’d expect from a place once called Britain’s smallest pub.
On the bar a choice of 2 cask ales to choose from along with a range of keg options. I went with another beer from Moorhouse’s Brewery, “Witches Cauldron”. A super easy drinking Amber Ale, full of flavour and enjoyable.
Micropub Adventures 