Market Bar

If you're after a decent pint in the town centre, Market Bar at Southport Market is a solid shout. It's got a 4.1 rating from over 1,800 Google reviews, so other folks seem to agree. It's not a proper pub, mind. It's more of a bar in the middle of the food market, so expect a bit of background noise and the smell of different foods wafting about. The atmosphere is lively, especially on weekends.

They've got a good selection of beers and spirits. It's not the cheapest place in town, but you're paying for the atmosphere and the fact you can grab some scran from one of the food stalls while you're there. They aren’t open Mondays or Tuesdays. Otherwise, they open at 10am every other day, but close early on Sundays at 6:30pm. They stay open a bit later on Fridays and Saturdays, closing at 10pm.

It's definitely a good spot if you're out with a group and everyone wants something different to eat. Plus, you can watch all the different market vendors doing their thing. It’s a modern, open-plan area, so it's not the place for a quiet, intimate pint. I think dogs are welcome, which is a bonus if you're out for a walk.

Just a heads up, it can get pretty busy on Friday and Saturday nights, so maybe get there early if you want to bag a table.