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 the two.

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, then have a quick look at the Albert Dock, maybe taking a few photos. Then back 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 before meeting the sister and John.

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 were going to have fish and chips at the Ship and Mitre at £15.50. They also do fish and chips here, but for £9.50. I shall be trying them when I’m over in April.

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.

Update 18th March 2026

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

Today Liverpool was playing Galatasaray (a Turkish side), just after six the sound was turned up on all the TV’s and unless you like football, the pub became a very unpleasant place to be. I had to leave, there are no TV screens in the Ship and Mitre, just up the road. If you want a quiet drink here, it might we worth checking the football fixtures for the local teams.

I tried the fish and chips today; they are around £5 cheaper than those in the Ship and Mitre. In my humble opinion those in the Ship are much better, especially the batter.