The Barker's Brewery - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in Knowsley

I was out cycling and had one of those ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to eat NOW!’ moments. Pulled into the Barkers about 14:00 on a Tuesday afternoon and locked my bike to an outside table. I ordered Fish, Chips & Mushy Peas, a couple of slices of bread and a drink. I was ordering on the app and I couldn’t see the number of my table so I put the number as 500. I realised that may cause a little bewilderment at the bar so, not wanting to leave my bike unattended, I phoned to explain. The lady that answered the phone politely assured me that the serving staff would find me. I popped in quickly anyway and had a word with a very friendly member of staff to let them know I was outside. As I went back out to my table, I saw a staff member asking other customers if they’d made an order to table 500. “That was me.” I told her, and we had a little laugh about it. As soon as I’d sat down, the guy I’d spoken to inside came out with my drink. A cold bottle of alcohol free cider and a glass with ice. I didn’t want the glass but it was there if I had have wanted it. A few minutes later a lady came out with my meal. She brought with it, cutlery, sachets of salt, tartare sauce and a bottle of vinegar. The Meal: The fish was good. Crispy batter, not too oily. Reasonable quality fish used. Firm and flaky. Better battered fish than you get from most of the chippys around here to be quite honest. There was a nice looking wedge of lemon on the side. The chips were the standard fare ‘Spoons job. Pretty decent, up to scratch. Definitely good enough. Mushy peas were a bit of a splat on the plate but I’m used to that and they certainly tasted very nice. Maybe they could do with being served in a little ramekin or something but that’s just me being a bit picky. The two slices of white bread were served on a separate plate with two catering style single serving Lurpak butters. Quite good quality bread, reasonably fresh tasting. Half way through my meal, the lady that had brought it out to me was out clearing tables. She asked me if I was enjoying my fish. I gave her a thumbs up coz my mouth was full of fish! I was very much enjoying my fish, it was lovely. Just what I needed.

In summary:

Food - Good Value - Very Good Service - Excellent

Cheers...

Barkers Brewery on Archway Road, Huyton, Liverpool, is a pub with a significant historical background. Originally, this location was home to Barker’s Brewery, founded in 1825. The brewery continued operations until it was acquired by Walker's in 1926. Before becoming a JD Wetherspoon pub, the site was known as the Wheatsheaf and earlier, the Rose and Crown. The current pub takes its name from the original brewery, maintaining a connection to its historical roots. The building itself is notable for its large, modern décor with multiple seating areas and a beer garden, making it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.

The staff are friendly and welcoming with comfortable seating to perch & enjoy the ambience making it a great spot to relax & unwind with a pint or two. The pub's staff are noted for their warm and polite service, enhancing the overall experience. The seating is comfortable, allowing patrons to enjoy the ambience while sipping on their drinks.

One of the highlights is the breakfast, which is both good value and well-prepared. It is served with a smile, adding a personal touch to the dining experience. Whether you're there for a morning meal or an evening pint, this pub ensures a pleasant visit.

If you're in Huyton and looking for a welcoming pub with great value and friendly service, I highly recommend visiting this pub which offers a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The staff are known for their warmth and politeness, ensuring you feel right at home.

Whether you're starting your day or winding down in the evening, Barkers Brewery is an excellent choice for a pleasant time. Here, you can unwind and enjoy a varied selection of brews, a welcoming atmosphere, and top-notch service that consistently receives rave reviews...

When we got there, we picked up a couple of menus & noticed they were making a big deal about their new range of pizzas. However when we came to order they said they hadn't got any & rarely do have any. It would have been nice to put a sign up given they were so heavily promoting them.

The staff were fairly indifferent - the concept of attaching table numbers to orders seems to elude them as every time food is brought out, the staff wander around aimlessly trying to find where it belongs.

They seemed rather understaffed as there was no-one washing the glasses - one of the staff was going round collecting glasses in between serving food, but it didn't appear to occur to her to put a few in the dishwasher.

Clearly she believed this to be somebody else's problem, as she continued to pile more and more on less and less space. This inevitably led to a stack of glasses falling on the floor and smashing - that too became someone else's problem.

The food was passable but not particularly enthralling - especially when I had set my mind on a pizza. I'll give the place another go at some point to see if it can redeem itself, but on the basis of this visit, I can only rate...