All in all you’d only have to walk 10 minutes between the first and last bar, with six options in between
I like a pub crawl to be as effortless as possible. This means little walking, a good selection pubs and bars and an easy way of getting home.
For me, Walton Vale is as convenient as they come. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to get out of Liverpool city centre, with a street full of unique bars and pubs which are in close proximity to several train stations and bus routes.
The ECHO previously reported on how Walton Vale comes alive as punters descend on the area and Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National weekend – but locals will tell you the Vale is great all-year round. As part of the ECHO’s Pub Crawl series, I have put one together that takes you along the Vale and finishes a stone’s throw away from the train station.
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Whenever I visit the Vale for a drink, I don’t actually start there. There’s a great bar just up the road on Longmoor Lane – where the former Wizard’s Den fancy dress shop used to stand – called Terra Preta Bar and Coffee House. It’s around a 15 minute walk from Aintree train station and is on the route of multiple buses including the 61 between Aigburth Vale and Bootle.
The bar has a great selection of ales including Paulaner on draft – something you don’t often see outside of town. I personally love its chilled atmosphere which makes it a good starting point, before heading to the hustle and bustle on the Vale. I’d recommend getting a window seat, where you can sit and watch the world go by.
From Terra Preta Bar and Coffee House, I then walk down to The Cove Bar, but that’s not to say there isn’t other good options along the way. About a five minute walk away is the Tiny Tavern on Warbreck Moor. Now, the only reason it hasn’t made the list is because I’ve never been lucky enough to get a seat – surely a good sign?
There’s also The Black Bull Pub on Warbreck Moor which, despite businesses constantly changing around it, has remained a permanent fixture in the area. The same can be said for The Raven, which is a Wetherspoons, facing The Cove Bar on Walton Vale.
I love The Cove Bar for its atmosphere. Whether its 2pm in the afternoon or 9pm at night, it’s always busy and has a good buzz. The bar hosts live music throughout the weekend which regularly gets people up on their feet.
Two doors down is The Vale Bar and Mo’s Bistro. Its quirky interior is unlike anything else along the way. With clocks and records all over the walls, decorative antique furniture and a reddish glow from the neon lights, it has the look of a city centre dive bar. The place is always booming, and it’s no surprise.
If you’re looking for something more lively then I’d say The Vale Bar or The Cove Bar are the two places to visit. But just down the road is The Windsor Pub if you’re looking for something more chilled. It’s a proper traditional pub, with a mix of young and old clientele.
It’s a good place to visit if you’re looking for somewhere to watch the match as there’s plenty of seats and screens around the pub. It has a huge sun-trap beer garden, again with plenty of seats and screens, which is no wonder why tables are like gold dust as soon as the sun is out.
Over the road is Rooney’s Sport’s Bar which is worth popping into. Again, it’s another good place to watch the match and has a pool table to keep you busy during half-time. Although the staff are wonderful in all of the Vale’s various bars and pubs, I’ve had a particularly lovely experience in Rooney’s which once included afternoon shots.
Now, if it’s time to call it a day then Rooney’s Sport’s Bar is a two-minute walk from Orrell Park station, which connects you to the Ormskirk line. There’s Rice Lane station just up the road if you’re heading towards Kirkby or the bus routes heading towards Sefton, South Liverpool or the city centre. All-in-all you’ll have walked 10 minutes between the first and last bar, with six options in between.
