Best Blackpool Boozers #5: Cleveleys & Fleetwood

I’d been holding off my trip to Cleveleys for months, pending the opening of an exciting new pub. I’d heard whispers of it now being open, so Karen and I headed up there on the tram after Blackpool’s home match against Peterborough. Frankly, I needed beer after that match!

I couldn’t last until Cleveleys and Shickers Micropub is our now traditional post-match meeting point. Here I enjoyed a Cross Bay Zenith IPA and a Black Edge Oatmeal Chocolate Stout. I love both of these North West breweries – and this pub. But mustn’t settle! Got new pubbage to discover.

Despite rushing to the tram, I had to stop to photograph this.

The Shipwreck Brewhouse (Cleveleys)

Shipwreck has been my sole reason to visit Cleveleys for a long time. It is a magnificent micro. Indeed it was here (I think) that I enjoyed my first ever Black Edge beer (an irresistible gingerbread stout).

We arrived to a reserved table in the window and quickly got our food order in, as it stopped at 7pm. And it had to be the Shipwreck Platter! Karen and I had shared one last time but we were ravenous tonight – and it was important to fill up to allow us to soak up more beer. So tonight we had a platter each.

Full menu above, which includes breakfasts, cakes and pies.

Oh, the beers?

Ooh a dark mild! Yes please!

I stuck my nose in the snug at the rear of the pub, which was nicely decked out for Halloween.

It was 28th October and thus Halloween weekend.

Host Tom made us feel very welcome and I’d have happily stayed here all evening but the new pub on the block was calling loudly from further down the street – and who were we to resist…?

Backstage Cleveleys

I’d heard a rumour this place had a soft opening in the week but my invite must have got lost in the post.

So, you know the Waterloo Music Bar (or Waterloo FY4 or whatever it’s called now)? Here’s a blog by way of reminder.

And you know there’s a micropub within that building called Backstage? Again, a blog by way of reminder.

Well this is the sister pub of those – and thus it was guaranteed to be good. So much love has gone into those places and I’d seen over the past few weeks and months the work that was going into this place.

It was RAMMED when we arrived around 8pm and, according to gaffer Fletch, it had been since 1pm. I was so pleased it was thriving on its opening weekend and hoped it was a sign of things to come. Build it and they will come, right?

Right – to the bar!

No dark on cask so I had a nose in the fridge.

Both of these beers were lush.

Now let’s take a look around.

I was excited to visit the toilets, given the drumkit sink in the ladies at the Waterloo. There was a series of individual unisex cubicles as opposed to separate Ladies and Gents rooms. I stepped into a cubicle and this is what I found over the sink.

While I was in there, a man outside was clearly confused by the facilities.

‘What the fuck’s going on? I just want a piss.’

Back out in the pub, I spied a magnificent shirt that I just had to show you, dear reader.

Custom made by his partner. He said he had a good Halloween one but was saving that until the next day.

In a selfish way I was half disappointed it was so rammed, as this makes it tricky to properly show you the detail in photographs. There were too many people in the way. Fletch pointed out the detail in the floor. It was covered with gig posters that all featured Blackpool. Close to where I was sitting was a poster advertising The Beatles at the ABC. A woman was standing on that and she was looking unsteady on her feet so I didn’t feel I could ask her to move so I took this photo instead.

Fletch suggested a noon visit might reap better photo ops so that sounds like a plan (and the start of a great day).

Sadly the evening was cut short when I realised my journey home wasn’t as straightforward as I’d thought. But I’d seen enough to recommend Cleveleys as a good destination for the beer/pub tourist.

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Less than a week later, we headed a little further down the coast to Fleetwood to visit another new micro that I’d yet to visit. But first…

Right, now on to the fest…

Fleetwood Beer Festival

This festival was at its usual venue of the Marine Hall in Fleetwood. It feels a bit like a pier but it isn’t because Fleetwood doesn’t have a pier any more (RIP Fleetwood Pier).

Before heading into the fest, Karen (who’d been volunteering here the day before) dragged me into the little tourist information shop to show me this.

But then I spotted something that was actually quite useful (if totally random).

Anyway beers.

My fave was actually the unphotographed Shiny Rees’ peanut butter milk stout. I had two of those and that’s a rarity for me at a beer fest.

The fest was decent with a number of familiar faces. The food offerings weren’t the best, although they did have some lemon curd on sale, which I forgot to buy. Not had that in yonks.

We darted off as we had a new pub to visit.

The Beer Shed (Fleetwood)

I’d been wanting to come here for ages but couldn’t bring myself to visit Fleetwood, after a disappointing last couple of visits to our neighbouring non league town. Karen always wants to go but that really was a terrible beer night last time, albeit a few years ago now. Beer Shed gaffer Steve had messaged me and subbed to the fanzine and promised me a book and mentioned me to my friends who had visited so I finally took the hint and headed over. It’s nice to be wanted.

I burrowed into the fridge.

I was incredibly excited to see a free nut dispenser on the neighbouring table so of course headed right over and tucked in.

It’s a tiny pub but it was busy and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. What I love about micropubs of this size is that you can’t help but talk to other people as it’s like you’re in someone’s living room or at a party with them or something. This is my favourite type of micropub.

Gaffer Steve soon arrived and came over to say hello with a copy of his book.

I will report back when I’ve read it. I’ve had a quick flick through and it’s already made me chuckle. Follow me on Twitter @blackpooljane for all the random in between nonsense that doesn’t make these blogs.

We were joined for a good couple of hours by a local lad who was hiding from his friends. Despite being a Fleetwood Town fan, he proved excellent company and we stayed for three drinks when we’d only planned on staying for one. This is the sign of a good pub, when you simply can’t leave.

So this time I left Fleetwood with happy memories and who knows but I might even go back again, now I know a warm welcome awaits in Beer Shed. Please do go down and support them, as well as the two micros in Cleveleys. All are easily accessible by tram.

If you’re heading into Blackpool and are looking for things to do, head to Blackpool.com for inspiration.

Next Up: City of Liverpool v Chasetown.