Let the dog see the Rabbit

IT was a cold and stormy night, about three years ago, when I first ventured into The Rabbit pub in Southport’s Manchester Street.

Hit by a wall of cigarette smoke and a volley of “we don’t like strangers round here” glances, I turned on my heel and walked out again, stopping only when grabbed by a drinker who warned me to “beware the moon and keep to the road”.

Recently I was tempted back by reports that the pub had changed hands and was transformed. Happily, the reports were true. If they gave an award for the most improved local pub, the Rabbit would win it by a country mile.

Out has gone the dark paint scheme and obscured glass that made the pub feel like a smugglers den and in has come a raft of improvements including the re-introduction of real ale, an increase in the size of the measures to 35ml and the stocking of branded spirits as opposed to the weird stuff I’d noticed last time.

They also have Tanya Stopforth as a barmaid, who also works at the Guest House and is one of the friendliest around.

New owners Andrew Lancaster and his wife Barbara originally had their work cut out winning new customers and face the on-going challenge of trying to bring people out away from their supermarket cheap booze and back into the pub.

Andy admits that times are hard for the licensed trade and adds that “everyone is looking nervously at where the next bit of legislation will hit us”.

Personally I wonder why our Government is so anti-pub and pro binge drinking.

Beer wise, Cains Cask is on and kept well. Jennings Cumberland is the other regular, but not a favourite. Guest ales include Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Ruddles, Flowers, Bombardier and Adnams Broadside. There are four lagers and a handful of keg beers, including Tetley’s Dark Mild.

Happily the pub, which usually opens at 3pm during the week, boasts male and female darts teams and also a blossoming dominoes team. Every Saturday it’s karaoke time and there are three TVs showing Sky Sports and the new Setanta games.

Last, but not least, the Rabbit is one of the few pubs left on earth that allow owners to bring their dogs in, although, funnily enough, not children.

Still, a great excuse to take poor Rover for walkies and grab a sneaky half on the way.

Tanya at the Rabbit