The Cambridge, Liverpool

Just around the corner from the Metropolitan Cathedral, amongst a load of University of Liverpool buildings, this is a simple, two bar locals pub that had a backstreet boozer feel rather than the student vibe I’d expected. Entering to the lower main bar area, you find yourself in a fairly narrow, carpeted room with a bare boarded walkway down one side that leads straight past the servery. Banquette seating clings to the front wall with loads of low stools in support and some high tables and stools at one end. The bar is along the opposite wall and has a chunky wood panelled counter front and modern white tile bar back with modern shelving units and some decorative tile sections to liven things up a little. The place has been fitted out in a fairly traditional manner, with plenty of tongue and groove wall panelling, textured wallpaper and plain shades of paint, but minimal decor and a couple of TV screens showing muted live sports. Steps at the far end of the room lead up to the side bar which has quite a bit of additional seating and I’m fairly sure I saw a dartboard here too. Three handpulls were in action when we arrived, dispensing Thwaites Wainwright Gold, Youngs Special and Ringwood Boondoggle. I found the landlord to be friendly enough and he served up a decent pint of the Wainwright Gold which I enjoyed drinking in the packed main bar area which benefited from a large group turning up not long after we arrived, creating a lively atmosphere. I quite liked this place, which felt like a popular locals’ pub with a few cask ales, decent service and comfortable seating. It didn’t really do anything to stand out from Liverpool’s vast and excellent pub scene, but as somewhere to enjoy a sit down after a day on our feet, it hit the spot and I’d happily return. Date of visit - 15th July 2023

this pub has no atmosphere and has, in my opinion, suffered from a recent wrecking refurbishment. the interior is now a hideous, garish clash between old traditional features and overdone modernity, tedious mismatched decor with clocks and picture frames scattered around the walls. Marstons appears to be becoming more of an interior design company than a brewery/pubco. As a drinking hole it has firmly lodged itself as a 5/10, harmless, neither good or bad place. Well done on that I suppose! My half of Saddle Tank was fairly poor.

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Marstons pub, with a largely student clientele. Thin bar with a separate seating area up four steps. Traditional furniture and decor. Only one of the two handpumps was working, and this dispensed a rather poor pint of Burton Bitter (£2.70). (NB - Review dates from August 2011.)

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