please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Another overnight stop in Birkenhead and another late night visit to Gallagher's. The welcome was as good as ever and the ale and cider range was also good - Brimstage Trapper's Hat & Elderflower Wheat, Rat White Rat, Hopback Citra & Titanic Chocolate & Vanilla Stout & Iceberg. The cider and perry range was Lilley's Bee Sting, Abrahalls AM & Lily The Pink & Gwynt y Ddraig Farmhouse Scrumpy. With complimentary pizza, a very enjoyable conclusion to the evening was had, before we were eventually thrown out the door!
|
We stayed overnight in Birkenhead in early January and made a beeline to Gallagher's. It's still the best pub on the Wirral for me. There's always a really friendly atmosphere in here and a decent selection of ales. On this visit, there was Brimstage Trapper's Hat & IPA, Hawkshead Bitter & Cambrian 5 Hop & Rat Mother Rat. Ciders are fetched from the cellar. There was Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, Millwhites Rum Cask, Abrahall's Loubi Lou, Lilley's Bee Sting Perry & Broadoak Pear & Chilli. My only criticism of the ciders is that they don't appear to change that often. Staff are friendly. Beware the sloping shelf opposite the bar. The beer mats are there for a reason. Placing my Mother Rat between them meant the glass sliding off. Staff went above and beyond by offering me a replacement. But then I guessed they'd seen it happen before. Top pub.
|
Good selection of beers over Christmas. Brimstage IPA & "Trappers Hat", Titanic "Plum Porter", White Rat, Hawkshead Pale & Castle Rock "Elsie Mo".
The barbers section has now closed which is a shame but the upshot is that extra seating space has consequently been created helping to relieve pressure at the bar.
|
Excellent ale selection on Saturday for the 'Wirral Ale Trail'. Well done! Loved all the shipping photos and military regalia on the walls.
|
The Trapper's Hat was on form also there were people actually getting their haircut there on this visit too.
anonymous - 3 Apr 2016 09:07 |
Had an excellent dark beer from the Rat& Ratchet brewery last week at Gallaghers: "Anth-Rats" .....it ran out all too quickly, I'm afraid!
|
Sorry, Blue Scrumpy. I beg to differ!! Not one but 4 ciders & perries on over the last week or so and a dark beer from new kids on the block - The Cheshire Brew Brothers (Ellesmere Port) along with the excellent "James Herbert" from the Rat Brewery. I'd be interested to know what you would class as a "better" pub.
|
Gallaghers appears to be going downhill of late. Maybe it is resting on its laurels. On our Wednesday evening visit, the ale range was limited - Hawkshead Pale Ale, Liverpool Organic Iron Men & 24 Carat Gold & Ossett White Rabbit. Real cider is no longer stocked, not even in bottles. All the beers were pale. Again, no sign of a dark beer, even in bottles. The drinking environment is still fine. But there are now better pubs on the Wirral.
|
What a delightful pub! It had five or six beers on tap. Only had time for one as I was off to see Tranmere. I forget what bitter I had, but it was good. Only a shame I don't live in Birkennhead anymore and the part of London I live in is bereft of any pubs of this quality. Oh, and the publican is a top bloke!
|
Top alehouse. Peerless ales were spot on and also has a place to get your mane trimmed.
anonymous - 14 Feb 2014 17:35 |
Fantastic small, friendly pub close to Hamilton Square and the ferry terminal.
Well sourced guest beers are always in top condition, with 4 pint takeaway containers available (we have often taken advantage of these when we've been unable to stay out).
The barber shop is well known. Upstairs function room is popular for live music, poetry reading etc. There's often tasting afternoons (cheese, whiskey etc) on Sundays.
Fantastic example of a well run pub.
|
I don't know what it is but some pubs just have that bit of magic and Gallagher's is one such place. Even when it's full, it's relaxing. Perhaps the military theme rubs off and gives it the feel of the officers mess or it could be the civilizing air that the barber shop at the end of the bar gives off. My wife thinks it's the selection of ales and ciders,which on our recent visit included Cornish Craft Beer from the Harbour Brewing Co. and Brimstage Brewery's The Scarecrow. Well, I suppose it's a mixture of the lot, and it works.
|
First time I had been in this pub but it won't be the last - what a fabuous place! Just round the corner from Hamilton Square station and as you enter the whole ambience of the place hits you! It was Friday evening and the bar was busy but I got served quickly (Brimstage beers appear to be regulars but there were guests). Tremendous decor with all the militaria and othe bric-a-brac (I like pubs with tons of pictures and bric-a-brac not just a few here and there) High-ceiling/raised bar area and of course the barber's shop at the back - must be unique in the UK? Well worth the short trip across - or under - the Mersey to find this excellent hostelry.
|
This is still our most common port of call this side of the Mersey. We visited here on Wednesday evening. It was quiet, as it often is on a weekday evening. Brimstage Trappers Hat was on, as usual. There were also 2 guest beers - Salopian Oracle & Peerless Pale. The cider was Newtons Yarlington Mill. Not too far from the Birkenhead tunnel. So it doesn't take long to get into the centre of Liverpool from here.
|
Very quiet last night but then it was a Monday.
Pleasant barmaid.
4 ales available, 2 from the local Brimstage Brewery, 1 from Salopian ans 1 from Roosters.
I had Brimstage 'Trappers Hat' which was well kept.
Two large screens showing Newcastle vs Fulham game but without sound.
Decent background music was playing at a reasonable volume.
Not often I get in here now that the nearby Pacific Road Arts Centre has closed (shame on Wirral Borough Council) but definitely a pub to pop into if nearby.
I noticed a sign advertising a room upstairs - the Spectacle - which was available for hire and that also hosts live music. I hope it is a success.
|
Dreamboat of a pub - made an effort to get here before Col U game at Prenton Park (wish I'd stayed in pub tbh!). There must have been four ales on the go and I had Bitter from the local Brimstage Brewery and it was so good. The sun was out and the beer garden is a good place to be when it is.
|
We dropped in to the Gallaghers before boarding the last ferry back over to Liverpool. What other crawl includes a ferry crossing? Brilliant selection of real ales as always and the England- South Africa rugby match thrown in for good measure. We wandered down to the ferry, crossed the river, got on the C 1 which dropped us off outside the Dispensary.
|
The only complaint I've got against this pub is that it doesn't open early enough but I suppose that 's got something to do with local demand. Anyway we were second in because we had to cross the road, and it being our first visit what a surprise we got. The landlord and landlady have managed to conjure up a veritable shrine to real ale, to the sundry guards regiments and added a barber shop for good measure. A very pleasant young lady served us a pint of Tatton Park and a pint of Titanic Slipway which I had discovered the day before in the Baltic Fleet. After three pints the young lady offered to call a taxi to take us to Trenton Park to watch the match. The Slipway must have brought us luck, we won three nil.
|
Cheers happytyskie,having apt in gallaghers now,golden rat on form!
|
100% my mistake damocles 11. The bad review was for the pub next door to Gallaghers which is The Riverview. Never had any issues in Gallaghers where I always get a topped up pint. I've asked BITE to remove the review - my apologies.
|
i`m not sure happytyskie has got the right pub here because he has posted the same comment for the river view pub (virtually next door) as he has for gallaghers.i`m sure the bad experience occurred in only one of the pubs so which one?the staff in gallaghers have always been ready to make sure your pint is topped up or if you like a good head on your pint you only have to ask and they will oblige.some good salopian beers on lately in gallaghers,worth a visit!
|
Bad experience. Refused to top up my pint of real ale (please note weights & measures act). Abusive to my partner who was left in tears. Reported to Wirral Trading Standards.
|
Friday night was my first visit since it became Gallaghers.
I was impressed. Four ales available. I had a quick pint of Brimstage Brewery 'Trappers Hat' before going to a gig at Pacific Road Arts Centre.
Good number of customers. Nice to see it well supported.
I'll certainly be trying here again.
|
Tried to visit this place several years ago when it was the Dispensary, but couldn't as it was closed (as it always seemed to be). Now it is Gallaghers, I finally took my opportunity to pay it a visit. This is a welcome addition to the Wirral drinking scene and offers a good selection of real ales plus a cider. Yesterday, the range was Phoenix Arizona, Moorhouse Pendle Witches Brew, Hawkshead Brodies Pride & Cumbrian Five Hop & Brimstage Trappers Hat. The real cider was Newtons Yarlington Mill. Tried both the cider and the Brodies Pride. The Cumbrian Five Hop was sampled by others and was extremely hoppy. You can buy a sampler selection of 3 of your chosen ales or ciders also. The interior is quite pleasant. It is long and narrow and has plenty of items on the walls to peruse. The barbers shop is at the rear and seemed to be doing a good business. I will certainly be returning here next time I'm in Birkenhead.
|
they have made a great effort here and the beer is always spot on,frienfly staff who enjoy a chat but don`t neglect customers waiting for service.just enjoyed l`pool organic 24carat gold �1.80 in happy hour 4-7.bit quite at tea times so if you are fed up waiting to be served elsewhere have a look here
|
This former Cain's pub has now re-opened as Gallagher's Pub & Barber Shop - a novel idea in this world of plastic pubco's. Inside it is long, narrow & traditional. Military memorabilia & shipping heritage are the themes & cover just about every wall & shelf. The bar is about 1/3 of the way up on the right, & beyond that is the barber's area. If you carry on out the back there is an outside drinking area. Beers include their own aptly named "Cut Throat". Local breweries Peerless & Brimstage were represented on my visit by "Paxton's Peculiar" & "Trapper's Hat" respectively. Other real ales were available including a mild. Overall I think that this pub is the best for real ale in Birkenhead overtaking The Stork which has become a bit hit & miss recently.
|
Frank and Sue Gallagher have done a fantastic job of resurrecting and improving this old pub. Idiosyncratic d�cor containing a barber's shop, an attractive back garden area and daytime food. Beers last time I went in were Monkeytown Mild, Wobbly Bob, Brimstage Trapper's Hat & Rhode Island Red bitters and TWO handpulled ciders - Sheppy's Farmhouse and Merseycider Incendiary Device (the only commercial outlet I know that serves this). They are celebrating their 1st Anniversary on Sat 18th June with a BBQ and the excellent band The Usual Suspects. Should be a great night.
|
I have to say when I spotted this had re-opened and saw what the set up was I had my doubts. However it seems to be doing good business and is a great new addition, all the more welcome as both the towns Weathers are pretty poor at the moment
This is a great building inside, very individual and it was not always so, believe me!
The owners and the staff are all very friendly. They now do food but not tried it so can�t comment. Wirral_RealAlians have a point about the music; only a minor gripe though and what they play seems fine.
Another minor grumble is the choice of beers which does not seem to change much from the local brews. Whilst all in favour of supporting local beers a bit more variety would be welcome. All well kept mind which I can�t say for most outlets in Birkenhead.
It doesn�t open on a Monday and that fact makes the day go slower so you can tell I like it.
All in all this is a brave venture in a pub with a very chequered past and as they seem to be that rare and beautiful thing an independent they deserve all the support they can get.
|
Called in here on a Thursday night after visiting the Stork and thankfully found it open and busy.
Good choice of beers with 2 from Phoenix brewery and 2 from the local Brimstage Brewery 1 of which was Trappers Hat. All were pale beers, however the Phoenix Pale Moonlight was very good and the barmaid welcoming.
There is a lower seating area as you go in then up a couple of steps to the bar area, all wood paneled up to dado hight. Nice feel to this pub and nicely decorated out. If you go further back yes you do pass the barbers chairs on you way to the loo.
There are 2 big screens 1 at either end of the bar but out of the way above head level but the pictures can be a bit distracting when unrelated to the music playing. Only 1 criticism, and a small one, the music was just a tiny bit too loud. Good buzz of conversation though and fortunately another nice addition local crawl.
|
Looks smart on the inside since being re-opened and re-named as said below , The staff are friendly and the ale is pretty good well worth a visit.
|
Reopened about ten weeks ago as 'Gallagher's Pub & Barber Shop'. No, it's not an Irish-themed pub! Yes, there really is a barber's business in the pub.
On my visit had three real ales - two from local Peerless Brewery and the house ale 'Gallagher's Half Cut' at a very reasonable �2 a pint. Ale was in tip-top condition.
Friendly welcome and well worth a visit.
|
Closed and up for sale or let on Monday 18/01/2010. It used to be OK but only sold Cains which is good when it's Good but not my favorite.
I hope it opens again and sells real ale as it would make a good crawl around Hamilton Square along with The River View (Used to be the Worsley Arms) and The Stork Hotel on Price Street across the square.
|
Still closed and with Cains up shit creek financially, it's not going to reopen anytime soon.
|
This is a very interesting place. Yes needs money spending on it but has great atmosphere, beer and well worth the trip.
|
If you're in Liverpool don't be "cruel" on yourself and make a special trip as it is STILL shut!!
|
If you are crueling Liverpool try a trip on the ferry to Birkenhead. Once you get past the dated decor this is a place to visit. Recommened every time.
|
Great pub but its closed more than its open.
|
....and closed again!!!
|
went past yesterday - open again! Advertising home-cooked food. Not been in yet.
anonymous - 28 Oct 2007 10:49 |
It's closed again! 'Nuff said.
|
Visited last week and all the real ales were in the most awful form. It tasted as though there was still a load of cleaning fluid left in the lines. This pub may be open more often these days but if they don't buck their ideas up then people will vote with their feet (again) and the place will close (unless Trading Standards do it for them that is!)
|
Visted this pub, with friends, over thge May Day holiday weekend. A warm, friendly welcome and superb ales. 10/10. Brilliant!
|
Good pub, but closed more often than it's open. Get a grip Cains.
|
