Victory for the Southport Drinker

Keeping the pressure up I asked to see the CoOp manager today to vent my frustration over the lack of Proper Indian Tonic.

My heart leapt when the boss explained – following a tiresome lecture on the problems facing retail managers – that he would be bringing tonic back due to an upswing in demand.

‘Hardly sold any, now everyone’s asking for it,’ he said to my delight. ‘Some nobhead’s even put something on the Internet saying boycott the shop.’

My cup runneth over!

Boycott co-op?

Saw a little old lady in much distress today. Turns out Co-op is removing Indian tonic water from its roster, only allowing us the slimline variety.

Ugh! What’s behind this? Whatever the reason it must be challenged. Slimline gin and tonic may be alcoholic, but it’s not a proper drink!

Booze superstore set for Ainsdale

In an exciting sign of progress in society, the former Carter Hodge Halsall solicitors office in Ainsdale and (it is rumoured) the posh women’s boutique next door are both to become part of a Bargain Booze ‘warehouse’.

With other off licences like Threshers and Booze Busters going to the wall, the company see expansion as the way forward.

Not only will the store provide a vast range of grog at generous prices, it will help drinkers stay pennywise by offering stockpiled grub and everyday essentials.

A typical buyer, so the hope goes, will leave the new store clutching a four-pack of Breaker, a quarter bottle of Famous Grouse, four tins of Fray Bentos steak pie (no fat or gristle guaranteed) and a chocolate orange.

I’m visiting Ainsdale more and more these days for its bars, especially since the Railway started serving cask five days a week – although why they think no one wants good ale at the weekend is beyond me.

Bar Mio, meanwhile, is pricy but a first class bar worth a visit, while the Sands continues to serve a good pint if you can stomach the parking ticket arrangements.

This new booze superstore can only add to the reputation of the village.

Echo of the past

The Echo has a great Liverpool pubs supplement tonight, including two pages on the best Southport pubs. A big picture is given over to The Lakeside.

This brought back a lot of happy memories as it is a pub I was barred from and threatened by the landlady’s snarly granddaughter who was a hack on the Daily Post. I wonder where this great lady of the Press is now?

Here’s the original post for a laugh. Things must have improved.

http://southportbooze.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/lakeside-can-stew-in-its-own-juices/

Drinking bottle of wine a day is good for you

Puritans like ‘doc’ bellis caught flat footed as the booze truth emerges.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6597011/Drinking-up-to-bottle-of-wine-a-day-can-cut-heart-disease-risk.html

New beer and music club for Liverpool

This looks like paradise – opening on November 12 is The Contemporary Urban Centre at the junction of Jamaica, Greenland and Parliament Streets, close to Liverpool’s city centre.

The jewel in the new venue’s crown is the Beer House basement, with live jazz and acoustic music two nights a week with a beer menu to die for.

Kicking things off this Thursday is the Marley Chingus Quartet at 8pm. Jazz every Thursday, open mic each Sunday and music quiz nite on Tuesdays.

Gumbo the movie

Simon Cowell was going on about the film Gumbo on tonight’s X Factor, featuring the Roy Orbison song Crying. It’s not Gumbo, it’s Gummo, an ace punk film featuring loads of drinking and bizarre characters.

It’s a genuinely disgusting film featuring cat mutilation and other disturbing scenes but it’s got that X Factor that used to make American indie films so great.

Simon Cowell’s never seen it. He’s a cheat. Vote funboys John and Edward, give Simon a dud.

Here’s an interesting essay on the film

http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/uploads/docs/050008.pdf

Fire sale at Threshers

Threshers and Wine Rack have finally gone bust and all stores will close on December 2.

In the meantime they are selling off all stock. Prices are already high – one of the reasons they went bust – but there’s up to 25% off booze now, with more savings to come in the next few weeks.

I got 6 cans of Heineken, a bottle of nice red and the brilliant bourbon Makers Mark all for £30.

Blanket lifter

I have a love-hate relationship with Hobgoblin, but an £8 for 8 500ml bottles at Morrisons was too tempting to refuse.

At 5.2% abv and full of malt I was quickly pissed and spent the whole night farting, tossing and cursing.

Truly an evil brew!

Two years on and still drinking

It’s been two years since I started this blog. My life’s had a lot of ups and downs since then for sure.

Hopefully I’ll be celebrating at the Shake on Halloween. Thanks for reading.

Trollbangin’ Horrific Halloween Party
“Spooky goings on at The Shakespeare”
What: Night of Mayhem
Start Time: Tomorrow, October 31 at 8:00pm
End Time: Sunday, November 1 at 1:00am
Where: The Shakespeare