10 of Liverpool’s cosiest pubs perfect for Christmas in the city

Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful, And since we’ve no place to go…

Let it snow by all means – but no place to go?

It’s Christmas, and that means a time to get together with old friends, catch up for a bit of Christmas Cheer and eat, drink and be merry.

And there’s loads of Liverpool pubs which are just perfect for a Christmas meet-up with family or friends and, while it’s cold outside, they’re warm and welcoming inside.

So here’s a few of our favourite places to have your own little Christmas party (or at least take a break from the shopping and stressing about how many gifts you’ve still got to buy!)

Doctor Duncan's

They’re getting right into the festive mood with an invitation to ‘eat, drink & be merry at Doctor Duncan’s this Christmas!’. It might be cold outside but you can warm up your insides with a Mulled Wine or a Boozy Hot Chocolate with Frangelico, Baileys or Cointreau (both £4.50) and, if you’re feeling peckish there’s a limited-edition menu available throughout December. ⠀

Dr Duncan’s, 1 St. Johns Lane, L1 1HF

See their website here.

Thomas Rigby's

Take a break from the Christmas shopping in one of Liverpool’s oldest pubs. Slap bang in the heart of the city, this traditional establishment promises a warm welcome from its friendly staff and the choice of up to eight cask conditioned beers and 40+ world beers. With oak-panelled walls and fancy fireplaces it’s cosy and comfortable, just the sort of place you want at this time of year.

Thomas Rigby, 23-25 Dale Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 2EZ

See their website here.

Peter Kavanagh's

The toast of Toxteth and the city after being voted Liverpool and Districts CAMRA’s Pub of the Year. Long-serving landlady Rita Smith will guarantee Christmas greetings along with traditional ales, quiz nights and live music in ‘funky digs’ lined with photos, antiques and knick-knacks (like your own little grotto). Festive fun will be a given here. 

Peter Kavanagh, 2-6 Egerton St, Liverpool L8 7LY

Follow them on Twitter here.

The Dovedale Towers

Where to start with ‘The Dovey’ which is steeped in music history you can revel in while you sip your yuletide pint or glass of vino. Queen legend Freddie Mercury stayed here in the 60s while playing with local band Ibex and it’s just down the road from Dovedale Primary which helped nurture the talents of John Lennon, Peter Sissons and Jimmy Tarbuck. Brought back to life after closing its doors in 2009 it’s a great gastropub, perfect for meeting friends, old and new.

The Dovedale Towers, 60 Penny Ln, Liverpool L18 1DG

See their website here.

Penny Lane Wine Bar

A Liverpool institution in a world-famous road, could there be a better place to meet? Don’t take our word for it, just listen to those in the know from ‘The Penny’ itself… who say it’s all ‘glistening with the love of Christmas songs’ and gorgeous decorations, which is why they’ve issued a plea to join them over the festive period. There’s a fab Christmas menu if you fancy food as you raise a glass to the season of goodwill and, as the sign outside says, you can be assured of Great food, Great drink, Great time…

Penny Lane Wine Bar, 116 Penny Ln, Liverpool L18 1DQ

See their website here.

The Liverpool Pub

Christmas is too sparkly…said no one ever! And we’d certainly echo the sentiments of The Liverpool Pub which is looking a bit sparkly itself after a recent refurbishment. In a perfect spot for the shops, the front and, of course, James Street Station, it’s a family run pub that aims to ‘bring you the very best of Liverpool with value for money meal deals, traditional Sunday roasts, live music and live sports’. There’s a Christmas menu, quizzes and karaoke, and it’s clearly oozing festive spirits.

The Liverpool Pub, 14 James St, Liverpool L2 7PQ

See their website here.

Ma Boyle's

Dating back to 1870, Ma’s has been a coffee shop and an oyster bar before becoming what it is today, based in the iconic Tower Building since 1974. You can join them for cocktails – always fun and festive – local ales, delicious home-cooked food and ‘wonderful company’.  Famed for its live music and quizzes, there’s never a dull moment at Ma’s… 

Ma Boyles Alehouse and Eatery, 7 Tower Gardens, Tower Building, The Strand, Liverpool L3 1LG

See their website here.

The Ship and Mitre

It’s undergone a few makeovers in its time but what hasn’t changed is its no-nonsense quest to provide a quality pint. The downstairs bar reflects the inside of a ship so it’s definitely one to board for a festive bevvy…or two. Currently a CAMRA Pub of Excellence, it’s a former Pub of the Year and offer the largest selection of hand-pulled ales in Merseyside – not forgetting the range of around 200 beers (draught and bottled) is one of the largest in the North West. 

The Ship and Mitre, 133 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2JH

See their website here.

The Railway

As Conor and The Railway team say themselves, ‘tis the season to be jolly’, which is why they ensure you can ‘celebrate in style’ with them this Christmas. Slap bang in the centre of the business district and just on the edge of the shops, you can pop in if you’ve finished your Christmas list or if you fancy a festive drink when you’ve clocked off and headed out of the office. Lots of dark wood with plush comfy seating make it really cosy – there’s food and fun, especially on Fizz Fridays when there’s Prosecco to be had and, even, a decent bottle of Champers for £20! And its friendly folk will be on hand to ‘welcome you to our magical atmosphere and help you spread the Christmas cheer’.

The Railway, 18 Tithebarn St, Liverpol L2 2DT

See their website here.

The Blackburne Arms Liverpool

If you want to celebrate Christmas with a few celebs, this is definitely one place to head for. Liverpool legends Phil Thompson and Alan Kennedy are regulars and Radio City’s Rossie is known to head down a time or two. That said, it’s a celebrity in its own right. A pub for almost 100 years, The Blackburne in the heart of the Georgian Quarter has been completely transformed in recent years. It has a brand-new restaurant menu as well as a bar stacked with a wide variety of drink selections including fantastic beers, gins and wines and, just as important, ‘a homely and relaxing atmosphere’.

The Blackburne Liverpool, 24 Catharine St, Liverpool L8 7NL

See their website here.