Baltic Fleet

Liverpool’s Baltic Fleet is one of the city’s quirkiest pubs. It has pints of personality. This flat-iron pub is like a triangular tiered Grade II-listed wedding cake with white frosting.

Set by the waterfront, on the edge of the Baltic Triangle and Wapping, this wedge-shaped building for wetting your whistle first opened in 1853 and was originally two adjoining premises.

However, its looks are only part of its charm. If these three walls could speak. It’s a real old naval drinking den. There are tunnels in the cellars (off-limits for health and safety reasons) that lead to the docks (and the red light district) and there were multiple entrances and exits – said to be for evading press gangs. Sailing to Siberia isn’t what you want if you’ve just popped in for a quiet pint.

The pub is now a family business, named in recognition of the Scandinavian sailors who used to prop up the bar.

Inside, it’s light and airy with a slightly Scandi feel to the modern layout which accentuates the history of the building but also brings it up to date. Something about the light means that even inside, you can tell you’re by the water.

If you want craft beer, this is one of Liverpool’s best places for it. There are four cask lines and four craft lines supporting some of the best independent breweries in the region and across the UK.

In the summer, the outdoor tables are the perfect place to while away the evening with a pint while in autumn and winter, the log burner brings cosy comfort.

Exactly what you need from a traditional old pub.

If you’ve been (and bought the t-shirt – they do a nice line in merch), you’ll know why Baltic Fleet is a Confidential Guides top pick.