Swan Inn Liverpool

Liverpool has it's fair share of great pubs, but you'd be forgiven for walking straight past the dubious-looking Swan on your way to check out the toilets in the 'Phil'. I first went in the Swan on my wife's insistance, as she'd spent many a debauched night there in her youth.

This is a rock/metal pub, and a real spit and sawdust type of a joint. The jukebox is loud and the first time I ventured over to it, I was met with dozens of disapproving eyes wondering what the straight-looking bloke was going to ruin their afternoons with. Fortunately I know my grunge/punk and managed to fill the air with something suitably brutal.

This may make it sound like like the type of place you should give a wide berth to, but it's actually a really friendly place. A real night out, get lashed and have a laugh type of place. You've got a far greater chance of getting into trouble at one of those god-awful city centre pubs where the blokes all drink small bottles of expensive yet crap lager and stink of Lynx deodorant.

Fox and Goose - Hebdon Bridge Yorkshire

A fascinating old pub at the edge of Hebdon Bridge, the Fox and Goose is a mecca for interesting ales and ciders. There's quite a few that will knock your socks off as well as their own brew which is a very pleasent session beer. (At least more of a session beer than the 6%ers they had on). It's a place with a lot of history and a friendly clientele. We were so taken with it, we tried to find a B&B for the night, so that we could spend more time their, but alas Hebdon Bridge was full. Ah well, there's always next time.