So this
entry into the journey is only part 1 as it wasn’t intended to be our
destination, however it’s hard not to include such an iconic Liverpool pub. As this
wasn’t the intended place to go, this entry will only be rather small
unfortunately.
 |
| The Baltic Fleet Pub © John Bradley |
The Baltic
Fleet pub, found on Wapping Dock, is an important feature of the dock and
originates from the 1850’s and is now a grade II listed building. It was built
after a compulsory purchase order that allowed the widening of the dock road,
and in 1856 once the road widening was finished, the Baltic Fleet was given its
famous name. It was a renowned past time for sailors who would come into the
Wapping Dock, and even has tunnels that heads towards the dock as well as another
possible cheeky tunnel that heads to the old red light area of Cornhill. It is
also thought that the tunnel was used for victualling ships, smuggling or
crimping (a form of merchant equivalent press ganging).
It is also
Liverpool’s only brew pub, brewing its own real ale underneath the pub, located
in the bow of the ship-shaped building. This started in 2001, making it
Liverpool’s oldest microbrewery. I wish I’d found this out beforehand as when I
went I had no idea of this, and will definitely be returning to try out some of
their own ales. It was also named one of
the best “LocAle” pubs of 2016, an award handed out by CAMRA to the best pubs
that sell local real ale.
The building
is itself is rather small inside, however this only makes it a more intimate
and cosy. I wouldn’t advise going in a big group due to this, however there is
a function room for hire. For a Friday night it wasn’t too busy but it still
had a very friendly atmosphere that was furthered by the bar staff, who seemed
to be having a laugh with some of the customers who I’d assume are regulars. It
didn’t have many household beers on tap and instead promoted itself on the fact
that it was selling proper ales, and to my delight, German ales. I decided to
have a mixture of Fürstenberg and Weihenstephan, a beer which promotes itself
on the fact that it’s the world’s oldest brewery.
The bar did
close at 11, however this little pub is undoubtedly a brilliant place to start
your night before hitting the town. It will be only a matter of time until I
return there for a decent pint, and it really does make a good place to have a
catch up with a mate too. It does food and reviews suggest that the kitchen
serves a good plate, something that I will try the next time I visit.
Overall it
lives up to its famed name and is quite a good little place to visit for a
drink, whether you’re getting ready for a night out, waiting for a show in the
Echo Arena (which it is just five minutes away from) or just having a simple catch
up.
If you’d like to keep up with me, you
can follow me on Instagram at Jamesrobertjones or on Twitter @JJ_Journo.
No comments:
Post a Comment