The Jawbone Tavern in Bootle has been named the best pub in Merseyside by ECHO readers. The historic venue, on Litherland Road, beat a number of popular watering holes to take the top spot in the survey.
Top three revealed
The Bowling Green Inn in St Helens landed in third place. The pub on Robins Lane received praise for its atmosphere and staff, who were described as "friendly and professional". Voters were also swayed by a "great choice of beers and cocktails" and nonstop events, with people pleased that there is "always something on for the public".
Second place went to The Bridewell on Argyle Street in Liverpool city centre. The venue, housed inside a former jail, is known for its "amazing staff" and for being "the best run pub by far in Liverpool", according to one voter. In the early 2000s, Colin Mckeown purchased the building, bringing it back to life as a new venue. Partners Fiona and Dominic Hornsby took over the lease in 2019, aiming to create a traditional pub drawing on the history of the Campbell Square building. In 2022, the pub was named Liverpool Pub of the Year by Liverpool and District CAMRA, and again in 2023. The couple have since branched out with venues across the city, including Wood Street's Swan Inn and Hackins Hey's Denbigh Castle.
The winner's history
Taking the top spot is The Jawbone, one of the region's oldest venues. Originally opened in 1802, it was named after the whaling fleets based at the Bootle Docks. Once owned by a Liverpool FC title winner, The Jawbone Tavern has survived two world wars and served thousands of people in Bootle Village for over 200 years. During Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939, the pub was run by Jock McNab, a Reds midfielder who helped bring home the title in 1922 and 1923. After his success on the pitch, Jock hung up his boots and worked in the pub for over two decades. The pub, which is also reportedly haunted, was a popular venue with Premier League players who would come in to see Jock, including legendary Everton forward Dixie Dean.
The Jawbone received new life as a sports bar at the start of the year, with a flashy new beer garden and a mural by local artist Paul Curtis decorating the exteriors as a nod to the pub's past.
Other notable pubs
There were compliments in the survey responses for pubs across Liverpool and Merseyside. Pubs that received significant support included the Little Taproom on Aigburth Road, Vernon Arms on Dale Street, The Liver Vaults on Gilead Street, and Woolton Village's Coffee House.
A similar survey was run for National Fish and Chips Day, where ECHO readers sounded off on their favourite chippy. The winners can be read in full online.
