Near to the Pleasure Beach and the South Pier, this has the seafront position. We dropped in, tired after a day wandering (and a ride on The Big One for me), while I searched Google for a nearby Chinese restaurant. It was a mix of good and bad: the glasses were plastic, but better than the usual cups. No ale, but drinkable Stella (a repeated story of this trip…), and friendly staff that were working hard, but nowhere near enough of them judging by the filthy tables and piles of dirty glasses, and the wait at the bar. We sat outside in the sun at the only clear table, next to one with discarded not-even-half-eaten meals, so overall not a good impression, but there was nothing wrong with our drinks and the prices were OK.
Another family-aimed bar on a pier. The most striking thing here was the queue: there was a problem with the beer taps, and staff were struggling to cope. However, we got our drink (no ale, again) and sat soutside in the sun looking down towards the South Pier. Much the same, I’d say. Nothing to write home about, but not utterly dreadful either.
The only ale I got on our Blackpool trip. Some way north of the main attractions, but very near a tram stop, this is a lovely thirties pub, with some great features, owned by the Samuel Smith’s chain. I’d class the exterior as a bit more Arts and Crafts than Art Deco, but the inside has strong Art Deco touches.
There’s no music, no TVs, and no kids :-). Added to that, the prices are stunning: a pint of bitter and a half of cider came to £3.27, little more than the pint alone would cost in many places, and not much of an increase over a visit to a Sam Smith’s pub in 2008.
Passed this on our first walk to the seafront, having taken the long route because we couldn’t see the short one in the dark. It’s on Waterloo Rd, just back from the seafront.
It looks like a modern refurb from outside, inside is traditional, and pleasant, but not prisitine & sparkly bay any means- but I like that. It’s fairly large and open plan inside, and gave the impression of being less of a tourist pub than many.
Friendly staff and customers: no ale, but the lager was OK.
The bar on the South Pier. It sells itself as a family bar, and that’s pretty much what it is. There’s mixed entertainment aimed at the audience. In short, it’s just the place I hate and detest…
…however, in context, it’s fine. It’s ordinary families having fun on holiday, and as it was a warm night we sat outside and enjoyed the view over night-time Blackpool. It won’t win any prizes for beer (no ale…) or for relaxed ambience, but it was OK.
It’s a Brewer’s Fayre, so a family feedbag blandfest, next to a Premier Inn. However, it was nearly 9pm, and we needed food and alcohol, so in we went.
It wan’t bad. Pretty devoid of atmosphere, of course, and the beer selection was the standard keg rubbish, but the Stella was OK, the wine OK, the staff efficient, and the food OK too. The pub exists mostly to serve as the Premier Inn’s restaurant, so expect children, but this wasn’t a problem.
We had a walk up the seafont, and it started pissing down, and this pub came into sight.
Decent beer (ale, but can’t remember what). Decor bit odd: quite dated, but in fairly decent order, and a great view out to sea. Seemed to be highly geared up for food, but we were welcomed for just a drink, and their website (which didn’t appear when I googled) lists entertainment. Not the plushest place I’ve been, but clean and a pleasant place to sit for a while.
A ‘spoons, so you konow the drill. Cheap food and beer (though food was notably a little inflated above the nearby Dragon Inn, and noticeably inflated over The Avion. Still reasonable though.
This is an actual hotel you can stay in, but the pub still feels like a typical Wetherspoon, but a fairly good one. Beer was decent, as was the food and service, and despite the price hike for the seaside, good value.
A tough one this, but it just about felt publike enough.
No real ale, but decent lager (Kronenbourg) and cider (Thatchers), so they were forgiven. Inside, outside, and semi-outside (sheltered with a cracking view) space. Friendly barman, prices OK, plus it’s a bar on a pier, which is always a good point. Music was present, but tolerable and not over-loud.
Large, imposing Victorian pub on the promenade (but not the seafront…). Inside, it’s open plan (and biiig), outside there’s lots of seating on a terrace. Beer is Thwaites, and well kept, food looked OK, staff friendly. When we revisited in the evening, it was a bit loud with football types, but in the afternoon it was pleasant.