retiredmartin

12th February 2020 (yes, it was a good night)

One more in Liverpool, another one that features on nobody’s list of Mersey masterpieces, except mine.

I could justify nipping in the Augustus John, again for the first time since the 2003 McKee gig, as;

a) it’s a Uni bar that doesn’t open on weekends and it was a Thursday

b) You should never pass an open GBG pub when your faculties are impaired

c) How could you not be enticed by this entrance ?

No sign advertising “Our famous Grade I listed loos here”, but they have better signs.

I could name you ten Liverpudlian GBG regulars, but forget the Augustus is one of the longest running of all, whilethe Phil and the Swan aren’t even in it.

It’s bustling.

Mostly students, but a few old codgers like me,

drawn by bargain Higson’s.

I miss Cains (Dusanjs apart) but the Higsons is a real taste of the Pool, a stunning crisp pale wonder (NBSS 3.5+).

For entertainment, I get to see the 2004 drama “Students moving tables around in pubs“.

Perched a couple of yards from the “simple is best” dartboard, I’m glad the ladies from Tiverton aren’t here for a fixture.

Now today isn’t the day for me to mention football, in fact I’ve forgotten soccerball exists. Let’s remember instead Merseyside’s contribution to music over the decades.

Sonia, Dead or Alive, T’Pau,the list is endless.

Hearing the AJ play “French Kissin in the USA” reminds me I actually saw Debbie Harry play a club here in 1993,weird night.

They love their oldies here. “Red Light Spells Danger”, “That’s Just The Way It Is” and this one, which I can imagine Mark Crilley singing along to now, while he dreams of that pint of Higsons and the great chair borrowing drama.

Great pub, top night, Liverpool looked very lovely.

Which is more than I can say about Hooton, but I’m sure someone from Hooton will put me right about its hidden charms.