Vernon Arms, Liverpool

The Vernon Arms is one of my favourite pubs in Liverpool, it’s just down the road from the Ship and Mitre. Two excellent pubs, a few minutes’ walk between them.

I hadn’t intended to visit this pub today; I was due to meet the sister and John in the Ship and Mitre around four. I was going to get the bus to Liverpool One, have a quick look at the Albert Dock, maybe take a few photos. Then to the Ship and Mitre. Unfortunately, the Liverpool One bus station was closed, I had to get off the bus at the Adelphi. My foot was hurting a bit, so I came here for a few pints, rather than walking to the Royal Albert Dock.

I come here often (my seventieth birthday bash started here), the beer is always excellent, and the price is not too bad. It’s a regular in the Good Beer Guide.

I found a quiet corner where I sat and read Full Tilt, Ireland to India with a Bicycle, by Dervla Murphy for over an hour, downing a few pints of stout, whose name I’ve forgotten. It’s a long time since I’ve read a book in a pub, I’d forgotten how enjoyable it is.

They do food until seven at night and its inexpensive. My sister and I are going to have fish and chips at the Ship and Mitre for £15.50. They also do fish and chips here, but for £9.50. I shall be trying them when I’m over next. It’ll be interesting to see how they compare.

There are a number of large TV screens that always seem to be showing the dreaded football. The sound always seems to be turned down unless a local football team is playing. When the sound is on, you probably don’t want to be here unless you like football.

Update 18th March 2026

After a ride on the Royal Iris I paid another visit to this pub.

I tried the fish and chips today; they are around £6 cheaper than those in the Ship and Mitre. In my humble opinion those in the Ship are better, much better, especially the batter. Worth the extra £6.

Today Liverpool was playing Galatasaray (a Turkish side). Just after six the sound was turned up on all the TV’s and I was right, unless you like football you don’t want to be here when the sound is on. I had to leave, there are no TV screens in front bar of the Ship and Mitre, just up the road, a better place to be. If you want a quiet drink here, it might we worth checking the football fixtures for the local teams playing.