The Ship and Mitre, Liverpool
4th August 2026
The Ship and Mitre is my favourite pub in Liverpool. I’ve been drinking here for a couple of decades.
Fifteen handpumps serve a wide variety of ever-changing real ales and real ciders. They sell an impressive range of bottled world beers and ciders; in a fridge at the back of the bar; and in a large display in the room behind it. Prices are competitive. Pints of beer with a strength of around 4% usually cost around £4.20. The available real ales are listed on a board near the pub’s front entrance. It’s on your right as you walk in. The staff are very knowledgeable.
Food is offered daily by the One Pan Band, though times vary. The fish and chips are excellent. For me, they are a highlight of a stay in Liverpool. I’ve also enjoyed the loaded fries. But I’m told the scouse is a bit of a letdown.
The pub’s located behind the entrance to the Queensway Tunnel. Close to St George’s Hall, the Art Gallery, the Museum and the Main Library. Useful.
They open every day at eleven in the morning. Useful if you’d like a pint or two before catching a train. It’s around a ten-minute walk from the main station, Lime Street. It’s also close to the Queens Square bus station.
In the past, the pub has been known as the Flagship and the Mitre. The current name is a combination of these previous names. The main bar reflects the inside of a ship. The upstairs function room retains its Art Deco features.
It’s currently a CAMRA pub of excellence. It’s won local branch awards several times over the years.
It can get busy at times, especially when Liverpool or Everton are playing at home. My friend John has met Andy Burnham in the pub a few times.
When I was here today, I noticed they had one of the Riverhead Brewery beers on, March Haig. Because it’s now brewed by Osset, I’m not prepared to drink it. I mentioned why to the barman: because Osset took over the Riverhead Brewery and destroyed it. He actually remembered me slagging off Osset White Rat (or even Shite Rat) when I was here earlier this year.
The Vernon Arms and the Lion Tavern are close by and well worth visiting if you fancy a pub crawl.
