Dovedale Towers

Freddie Mercury lived here for a year, in what is now the events space, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney played here as The Quarrymen – but the Dovey isn’t just a historic site on Penny Lane, it’s also a go-to gastro pub and a keen supporter of local independent businesses.

Liverpool-based breweries Black Lodge and Red Star have both been represented on the pumps, and a selection of rather tasty pastries come courtesy the community-owned Homebaked Bakery, famous for award-winning pies rustled up in the shadow of Anfield – hence the Shankly, with a hearty filling of beef, bacon and mushrooms. Pub grub is the name of the game at the Dovey, with classics including beer-battered fish and chips with mushy peas, a double cheeseburger stuffed into a brioche bun, and a BLT on toasted white bloomer. Host to the Good Market, with its arts and crafts, cakes and bakes, the Dovey is also in touch with the zeitgeist, catering for the plant-based punters with its triple-wholemeal-bloomer-layered vegan club sandwich of smoked hummus, fresh avocado, sliced beets, mango chutney, caraway seeds and salad, served with seasoned fries. The non-meat-eating and cheese-loving clientele can also dig into the sweet chilli-drizzled halloumi stack, and the Belgian waffles are also veggie, as you’d hope with flavours like sliced banana and Nutella. Kids meals are available and dogs are welcome, and there’s a big beer garden, big screens and a big function room, perfect for parties.

All the main meals are prepared using the freshest ingredients, locally sourced, and everything is made to order, so be patient if the place is packed.