Wednesday, 24 February 2016

The Windmill, Southport

The Windmill
More than 30 years ago, I was a musician for a local, now long-gone, Morris dance side who used the Windmill as its local. In those days, the pub was run by the Matthew Brown brewery of Blackburn, also long-gone, but its memory, 'Lion Ales' (as Matthew Brown beers were called), is still etched in the old glass windows.

The Windmill is set back from the street and has a large outside drinking area to the front, including a large covered section. Signs at the front of the pub announce that food is available Monday to Friday (except Wednesday) from midday to 3pm and 5pm to 7.45, and from midday to 7.45pm on Saturday and Sunday. All the meat used in their menu is locally sourced. The prices struck me as very reasonable; I didn't have anything to eat, but I noticed there are many favourable reviews on TripAdvisor.

The pub has four distinct drinking areas around a three-sided bar; the one to the right of the door is virtually a separate room. There are televisions in two of the areas, but they are not intrusive and you can move to the other side of the pub if you don't want to watch.

There are two real ales that are always on offer: Theakston's Bitter and Caledonian Golden XPA, and I found both on good form. There is live Irish music features every Thursday and Friday is also a music night. Other facilities for customers include darts, pool, chess and giant jenga. There is street parking only, which is pay and display until 6.00pm. I noticed that dogs and children were welcome.

The landlord, Steve Leonard, is one of the longest-serving licensees in the area, and with that experience successfully runs this friendly, old-fashioned local which is just a couple of minutes' walk from Lord Street. You'll find it at 12-14 Seabank Road, Southport, PR9 0EL; tel: 01704 547319.

Correction 29.2.16: the Windmill tells me that Thursday's Irish night has been replaced by live music from the 60s to the present, and Friday night is an open mic night for local performers.

This is part of a series of articles that I am writing for the CAMRA column in our local paper, the Southport Visiter. Previous reviews are here.
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6 comments:

  1. Unknown24 February 2016 at 17:47

    Hi thanks for your review of our pub can i just point out we are waiting to have the chalk boards re-done we no longer have irish night it is now live music from the 60s to the present and friday night is open mic night with lots of local musicians coming along and taking part
    Thanks Pat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown3 August 2017 at 00:53

      Hi. Do you still have open mic on Friday? Is it on this Friday? If so, what time. Thanks.

      Delete
    2. RedNev3 August 2017 at 04:03

      This isn't the pub's blog, but I believe the Windmill's open mic is still on Friday. Why not give them a ring to check?

      Delete
  2. Neville Grundy25 February 2016 at 11:14

    I'll add your correction to next week's article in the Visiter, so you'll get a second mention there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown25 February 2016 at 14:13

    Thank you and you might want to try open mic night on friday has you like singing and playing the guitar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neville Grundy25 February 2016 at 14:37

      Yes, I was thinking of calling in some Friday.

      Delete

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