Birkers is a bit of a hidden treasure in Birkdale village. Hidden down the side of the local bank,…read morethis lovely bar specialises in the type of cuisine that's a bit more special than a lot of what's on offer in the village generally. Birkers specialises in a range of dishes, including pizzas that are hand-made and delicious that are available with a range of toppings. They also offer tapas and other dishes that are perfect for sharing with a few people which can be washed down with a great selection of draught and bottled lagers at very reasonable prices. Their reliance on local produce means they change their menu often which also highlights its ingenuity when it comes to food. They also have a range of art on show from several local artists as well as music from a DJ on the weekends to encourage the party atmosphere that they welcome from all their customers (this is also helped by several 'Happy Hour' offers on drinks and food throughout the week). I would highly recommend this place to anybody looking for good food and good times.

Another thing there is no shortage of in the local area is trendy coffee shop-cum-wine bars, with…read moreboth Formby and Birkdale village littered with them. The Tea Rooms, a stone's throw away from Birkdale train station, is one of the swankier coffee shop/wine bars this side of Liverpool, even rivalling WAG-hangout Woodwards in the trendiness stakes. By day, it is filled with ladies-what-lunch types sipping on mochacchinos and downing lattes like their lives depended on it. Of a night time, as with many others of its ilk, The Tea Rooms transforms into a trendy wine bar filled with golfers' wives and well-heeled wannabes. The bar itself is quite interestingly designed, with large windows making the bar bright in the day and there is a lovely outdoor seating area for the finer days but if you find ritzy wine bars like these a bit too pretentious for your liking, like me, then it's probably best to avoid.

My family were regular customers here, in fact my parents went in on a daily basis and spent over…read more£200pm on coffee alone. Thats not taking into account meals and what the rest of us spend in here each week. However, after the disgusting treatment that we received last night, by the owner who always appears to have one too many, we shall not be going there again. We arrived at around 5pm and between us had had 10 coffees and a coke. At 7.15pm, myself & partner were waiting for our group of friends to turn up, ready to make a night of it. My parents were sat with us and were just waiting until they arrived before leaving. Hence we had sat without drinks for 15 minutes at this point. The manager rudely approached us telling us to go as we had not had a drink for 20 minutes and there were people waiting for the table! (There were actually 4 other tables free & 5 minutes later when we went past, our tables were still empty). I went across to him and politely asked if this was the way he always treated regular customers and that my parents came in every day. He then became overbearing & stood right up to my face, which as a lady, I found very threatening. He told me to never step over his door again!!!. I walked away to which he chased after me & stood right up behind me. (The 2 ladies sat next to us had heard what was going on & were also not impressed with his conduct and were asking what had happened when I spoke to him). By this time the manager was in my face again and in front of the whole bar, asked "Is there a problem?" Once again shouting he told us to never step through the doors again. He then confronted my partner. My partner told him where to stick it and we left. Is this how to treat customers? We were made to feel like we were not good enough to frequent his premises. I am nearly forty and as a family we run a few very successful companies with some very influential connections. (not that this matters to us but it obviously does to him). He should be careful in future in terms of who he is discriminating against. I have never been spoken to like this & if we spoke to our customers in this manner would certainly not be in business now. How can the owner of what is supposed to be a sophisticated wine bar be allowed to stand getting drunk with his colleagues every night and behave in such a manner. He has shown a complete lack of loyalty & respect to his regulars. It was quite apparent that all he was interested in was the customers spending money on alcohol. He missed out on on the income from 10 of us drinking for the rest of the night in there plus our/colleagues/friends future business. I am more upset for my parents who were humiliated in front of everyone and who left feeling highly embarrassed. Our custom has now gone to Verve across the road.

Owned by modern footballing legend, Everton's 'Big' Duncan Ferguson this cafe-bar-bistro is a bit…read moreof a chameleon. By day it is filled with ladies who lunch, dining on the selection of decent-enough bar snacks and throwing back lattes like their rotary club membership depended on it. Of a night though it transforms into one of Formby's most popular nightspots with live music (usually by covers acts or local acoustic guitarists playing a selection of middle-of-the-road pop'n'rock picks) beer-quaffing customers spilling out onto the pavement in various states of merriness. Inside it's a little narrow and there's probably a bit too much in the way of padded leather seating but it is almost impossible to not get caught up in the lively atmosphere of a Friday or Saturday night spent here, especially in the summer months. They should really stop showing that video of the fireplace on the television when it's not being used for sport though.

This little coffee shop began its life owned by ex-Everton centre-half Alan Stubbs, who opened two…read morecoffee shops - one in Formby and a significantly larger one in Birkdale down the road. Unfortunately for Formby, it got stuck with the smaller version, with coffee drinkers squeezed into the narrow inside whenever it's raining or cold. If it turns out to be quite a pleasant day, customers will almost certainly be found at the outside seating, because people like nothing more than to sit by the side of a road in the village (never seen the appeal, myself). Of a night, Woodwards becomes another one of Formby's busy bars as its finest (and some minor celebrities, if you're lucky) quickly fill the inside and out, meaning those spilling out of here and at D'Art often meet. Like The Gallery, if trendy wine bars are your cup of tea, I'd recommend it but I generally find it all a bit too posy for my liking and therefore generally try to avoid it.

It's an OK place, with nice surroundings. Coffee shop by day and a bar by night. You might catch…read morethe odd footballer or golfer in here. Or those who have made it rich from Birkdale will rock up in there porshes and range rovers and flash their cash. Dolly birds behind the bar. They show fashion channels on the TV. I think that says it all.

Great new owners - fantastic afternoon tea or tapas on offer . Friendly staff , great atmosphere…read moreday and night .

Amongst the swanky wine bars that occupy Birkdale village, the Park Hotel is closer to your typical…read moredrinking establishment. Sat almost right next Birkdale train station, as with many of the local boozers, the Park is a great place to go for a few pints before hopping on the train but caters more for the drinker who prefers a traditional, cosy pub to drink in rather than the other bars immediately around him. The pub itself is quite large in size and has the all the usual suspects available on draught as well as a selection of real ales and guest ales, all at a reasonable price. They also do a range of pub food which although is nothing original is good quality nonetheless, including a Sunday roast every weekend. Entertainment-wise, the Park Hotel screens all the big sporting fixtures on a large screen, as well as having darts and pools tables for those of you who have short attention spans. The weekly quiz night is another string in its bow also. A nice change from the other bars that are in Birkdale village for those of you that don't fancy mixing up with Birkdale's 'It' crowd.

Reaching high echelons of service indeed. Whether you're stopping for a spot of lunch or grabbing…read moresomething from the A la carte menu in the evening rest assured that the meal will be cooked from only the freshest of ingredients from the finest suppliers. Going Monday-Thursday?? After work perhaps? Well between 5-7pm under £11 will get you a meal for two and a glass of house wine, and you can't argue with that. The beef satay skewers with spicy dressing will whip up some excitement in the old taste buds as a starter. And the 8oz rib eye steak here will suffice as the main served with sautéed potatoes and field mushroom. Yumpty doo da yummy yay. Simplicity is key here. Echelon serves up great food there is no attempt to go ott on the menu it is standard decent grub which is freshly cooked and tasty. The service and atmosphere is chilled out and welcoming to boot, so this particular bistro comes highly recommended indeed.

The contemporary exterior of Echelon is so attractive and irresistible I just had to go in. The…read moreextensive menu which offers a mix of Mediterranean and English cuisine sounded just as appealing but my guest and I opted for drinks only as we'd eaten a little earlier. The atmosphere within Echelon is just right; it was quiet when we visited but there was still energy about the place. The decor is beautifully appointed, it's modern yet tasteful and really quite glamorous. The staff were all cheerful and remained busy with general tasks during our stay while always remaining on hand and attentive when required. I will definitely revisit and will try the food next time!

Stopped by for drinks. Great cocktail selection. I loved the mango drink I had. My friend had a…read moreyummy mojito that also had a splash of champagne. Atmosphere was great. Would recommend!