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A Day Exploring Independent Bars Across Wallasey, Liscard and New Brighton
I spent a full day exploring Wallasey, Liscard and New Brighton, meeting up with followers and visiting a brilliant mix of independent bars and micropubs. From the intimate Hawkwinds & Jokerman in Wallasey to Liscard favourites like Twelve-Sixty, The Lazy Landlord and The Scrap Yard, each stop offered a warm welcome, good conversation and well-kept beer. I finished in New Brighton at The Bow-Legged Beagle, Homebrew Tap and SUP, enjoying everything from traditional milds to modern pale ales. It was great meeting owners, chatting with locals and seeing these places thriving.
Wallasey, Liscard and New Brighton sit on the Wirral peninsula and have grown steadily over the past two centuries. Wallasey developed from small villages into a busy coastal town during the 19th century, helped by docks, ferry links and later the railway. Liscard became a key shopping and social centre, serving surrounding communities as the area expanded. New Brighton grew as a popular Victorian seaside resort, known for its promenade, entertainment and fresh air. While tourism later declined, recent years have seen renewed interest, with independent businesses helping shape its modern character.
Wallasey
Hawkwinds & Jokerman
I travelled over to the Wirral where I met up with followers Alan and Dave to visit a few spots around Wallasey, Liscard and New Brighton. The first call was to Hawkwinds & Jokerman. Hawkwinds & Jokerman is a small independent micropub a very short walk from Wallasey Village Merseyrail Staion. It opened on 19 November 2025 after the unit – previously a balloon and card shop – was granted permission to change use and converted into a bar specialising in real ale, craft beer and cider. The name references the band Hawkwind and Bob Dylan’s song “Jokerman”. The building forms part of the long-standing Village parade, an area that has served local shoppers for generations and has gradually shifted towards more independent food and drink businesses.
Inside, it’s a small, single-room space that’s easy to feel comfortable in. Tables and chairs are set close together near the front windows, with a few stools along the wall by the bar, so chatting with people around you comes naturally. The bar top is covered in colourful painted vinyl artwork, and the same idea carries on across the ceiling with a grid of painted vinyl covers, which is one of the first things people notice. Shelves of bottles, dark walls and soft fairy lights give the room a warm, relaxed feel without it being too dim, keeping everything straightforward and laid-back.
It was fantastic meeting and chatting to Peter behind the bar today and am very glad that the place has taken off so well and has found itself a fantastic customer base.
Drinks wise on the bar 3 cask ales, a cider and a selection of keg options to choose from. A fridge packed full of cans and bottles gives you more choice. I went with Maine Street by Pentrich Brewing Co., this was a soft, hazy New England–style pale ale with plenty of juicy citrus and tropical hops
Liscard
Twelve-Sixty Bar & Lounge
Jumped on the bus to nearby Liscard. The first of 3 visits here was to Twelve Sixty. Twelve-Sixty Bar & Lounge opened in October 2022 on St Alban’s Road in Liscard, just off the main shopping area. The building is a self-contained commercial unit and has seen a few different uses over the years, including a nail and beauty shop and a vintage or antiques-style shop, before being converted into a bar. Since opening, Twelve-Sixty has become an easy-going place where people drop in for a drink, catch up, and spend time together.
Inside, it’s bright and fairly roomy, with an open layout that’s easy to feel comfortable in. There’s a mix of tables, high stools and chairs, so you can sit wherever suits you. The look is clean and relaxed, with wooden finishes, soft lighting and fairy lights overhead. Big front windows let in plenty of daylight, and in the evening it feels warm and welcoming without being overdone. It’s an easy place to sit, chat, and stay longer than you planned.
On the bar a great line up of 6 cask ales to choose from, with a further selection of keg options along the back wall. A fridge full of bottles and cans is also available to choose from. I went with Classic Mild by Titanic Brewery, this was a smooth, traditional mild with gentle malt sweetness and subtle caramel notes.
The Lazy Landlord
Just around the corner in Liscard brought me to The Lazy Landlord. The Lazy Landlord opened on 19 December 2014 on Mill Lane in Liscard, becoming the first micropub on the Wirral. It took over a former music shop and was turned into a small, cosy micropub built around simple ideas – good real ale and easy conversation. There are no big distractions, which was part of the original plan, and that helped it stand out early on. Over the years it has picked up several CAMRA awards and built a strong local following, becoming a regular meeting spot and a key part of Liscard’s social scene.
Inside the Lazy Landlord it’s small and cosy, with seating arranged across a couple of connected areas. Tables, benches and chairs are set fairly close together, making it easy to strike up conversation with people nearby. The walls are lined with old brewery mirrors, hand-painted signs and framed prints, while exposed brick and soft lighting give the space a gentle warmth. The décor is simple and traditional rather than showy, and with no loud music or big screens, the focus stays firmly on talking. It’s an easygoing place where regulars and newcomers share the space without any fuss.
It was fantastic meeting and chatting to the owner Joe behind the bar, and great to hear about all the different community groups who meet up here. Also finally managed to meet follower Tom and have a catch up. On the bar a selection of 5 cask ales, a great keg selection and a range of ciders to choose from. Lots of choice! I went with Go With the Flow by Sun Bear Brewing, this was a light, easy-drinking pale ale with fresh citrus hops and a clean finish.
The Scrap Yard
The last of 3 visits in Liscard was to The Scrap Yard Bar. The Scrap Yard opened in November 2017 on Wallasey Road in Liscard. It started out as a licensed coffee shop with a big bar and soon grew into a relaxed bar and eatery known for craft beers, ales and casual food. Before that, the building had been a shop unit for many years — historically listed as a grocer’s — and later stood empty before plans were approved in 2016 to turn it into a coffee shop and bar. Since opening, Scrap Yard has become a popular local spot, later changing ownership while continuing as a social and events venue.
Inside, the look is stripped-back and industrial, with exposed brick, dark walls and visible fittings throughout. Seating is mixed, with shared tables and loose chairs, giving plenty of space for groups without it feeling cramped. Warm hanging bulbs soften the room, while colourful chairs and a few small framed prints add a bit of character. The bar naturally becomes the main focus, and the layout feels open and easy to move around. It’s informal and comfortable, the sort of place that’s easy to settle into whether you’re popping in for one drink or staying longer.
It was fantastic meeting owner Richie and is great to meet someone who is very passionate about what they are doing and that it is working. On the bar a huge selection of keg beers to choose from ranging in both style and strength. Something for everyone. I went with XPA by Neptune Brewery, this was a crisp, hop-forward pale ale with bright citrus notes and a refreshing finish.
New Brighton
The Bow-Legged Beagle
I then headed out for a short ride on the bus to New Brighton for my final 3 visits of the day. First up was The Bow-Legged Beagle. Bow Legged Beagle opened in December 2017 on Victoria Road in New Brighton. It was set up by two friends who wanted a small, friendly micropub focused on good local ales and craft drinks. The name comes from a pet beagle called Bobby. The building itself was previously a small corner shop before being converted into the pub. Rather than turning it into something flashy, they kept it simple — just good beer, straightforward décor and a place where people can sit, chat and enjoy a pint. It quickly became a well-liked local spot for real ale fans.
Inside, it’s small and cosy, with a proper micropub feel. The room is lined with wooden tables and bench seating set close together, and the walls are almost completely covered in pump clips, giving it plenty of character without feeling cluttered. Dark teal and grey paint, exposed wood and simple pendant lights create a warm, lived-in look. Bottles and spirits are arranged neatly behind the bar, with handpumps lined up along the counter. It’s not polished or showy — just comfortable and unpretentious, with the feel of a well-used front room where it’s easy to settle in, have a pint and enjoy a quiet chat.
On the bar a selection of 3 cask ales, along with a back wall line up of keg beers to choose from. Even more choices in the fridge full of bottles and cans. I went with Catalyst by Stonehouse Brewery, this was a clean, modern pale ale with bright citrus hops and a nicely balanced finish.
Homebrew Tap
Next in New Brighton on Saturday was to Homebrew Tap. Homebrew Tap opened in December 2019 on Victoria Road in New Brighton’s Victoria Quarter. It became the third venue in the Homebrew Tap group, which first started in Oxton in 2017. Before Homebrew Tap moved in, the building had been used as a wine bar. The unit sits within a traditional parade of shops along the main seaside road and was refurbished ahead of opening. Since then, it has become part of Victoria Road’s growing line-up of independent bars, adding to the area’s steady revival over the past few years.
Inside, it’s modern and relaxed, with pale walls, bits of exposed brick and warm lighting. There’s a mix of stools at the bar and tables further back, so you can either perch for a quick drink or sit down for a while. The space is clean and uncluttered, with bottles and pump clips adding a bit of character without making it feel busy. Big front windows keep it bright during the day, and in the evening the lighting softens things up. It’s smart but easy-going, and a comfortable place to sit, chat and pass some time.
On the bar a line up of 10 keg lines mixing various styles and strengths, along with bottles and cans in the fridge. I went with Lucky Jack Mango by LERVIG, this was a juicy, easy-drinking pale ale with a smooth mango twist and gentle hops.
SUP
My final call of the day on Saturday in New Brighton was to SUP. SUP is a laid-back café and bar, a place for good coffee, food and a drink without any fuss. Before SUP opened, 6 Atherton Street was an independent bookshop, filled with shelves and quiet browsing. These days the space feels very different, but it’s still about people coming in, spending time, and enjoying being there — just with cups and plates instead of paperbacks.
Inside SUP feels easy and unfussy. White walls are covered with colourful prints, postcards and bits you can browse while you wait. There’s lots of light wood — shelves, cupboards and tables — mixed with plants and small handmade details. Seating is simple and mixed: wooden chairs, small tables and a bench along the wall. The bar is tiled, bottles line the shelves, and everything feels relaxed and well used. It’s the kind of place where you can pop in for one thing and end up staying longer than planned.
2 keg lines available on the bar, one being a Pale Ale and the other being a lager. Fridges and shelves packed full of lots of different cans and bottles to choose from. Lots of choice! I went with Bring Back the Sun by Polly’s Brew Co., this was a bright, juicy pale ale with fresh citrus hops and a soft, easy finish.
Micropub Adventures 