This is my first review of a pub. I am new to Liverpool but will be staying for the duration of my course at Liverpool Uni. My home town is Glasgow.
To get a taste of what to expect during my three years here, I scoured the web for reviews of bars and clubs and made a list of must visits. I have to be honest here, my reason for visiting this bar was slightly jaded. As well as listing what people described as 'Good' bars I also made a list of places at the other end of the scale, thinking it might make for good entertainment on a pub crawl. Anyway, this place was absolutely destroyed in an article in an online magazine (as well as 'the blob shop, which in reality was also surprisingly good') so it was added to my list out of curiosity.
After arriving in town last week, I hooked up with a few other students from my course who had arrived early and we took the short walk into town for a taste of what the city has to offer.
Smokie Mo's was the third bar we found on my list so we took the plunge and entered.
My first impression was that this is a loud and raucous place, a bit intimidating but also welcoming in a weird sort of way. As highlighted in the review I read, the decor is a bit tired but the smile from the barmaid more than made up for it.The price for a pint was similar to what I have come to expect at home and the draught lager was excellent.
When we arrived, the Friday night was just gaining pace and the bar had three big groups of people (Stags and hens) and a good spread of locals. We managed to grab a seat and were immediately befriended by an old guy who had obviously started drinking a lot earlier than the younger clientele. The Karaoke was in full swing offering a great way to get to know the local characters who obviously live and breathe this place. One of the funniest was a little guy who was introduced as x-factor. The DJ built him up with an intro that made everyone stop and listen, x-factor then proceeded to murder a Neil Diamond song. The DJ then rescued the proceedings with a great rendition of a Killers song.
We had only planned to stay for one drink due to the review that I had read, but what actually happened was that we stayed until 1.00am and had an amazing time. Following the Karaoke, a girl singer came on, who got the bar jumping. Absolute class. This was at 8.00pm. Where else has entertainment as good as this at this time of night?
After the singer there was more karaoke mixed up with a load of cheezy party tunes. Whilst this might not be what I'd listen to on my iPod, it fitted perfectly with the stag/hen party atmosphere.
A duo came on at 10.00pm. A couple of older guys who seemed to bring a completely new crowd with them. The music again was a bit cheezy but the bar just lapped it up.
After the band, the DJ started more Karaoke, but banned anybody singing 'dull and dreary, hang yourself ballads'! The mix of music became more contemporary and the night just seemed to get wilder (or was that the lager ;-)).
To conclude then, I think I must comment on the review that brought me here. The negativity in it seemed to hint that the guy who wrote it didn't 'get' this bar. It did not sound like the same bar that I visited. Maybe his visit was at a different time of day? I must add though, that if your idea of a 'good' bar is one with pretensions of grandeur, comfy seats and nice quiet booths in which to chat and quaff cocktails, this bar might not be your cup of tea.
If on the other hand you are into loud, raucous, anything goes places that just let you be yourself and drink/laugh/enjoy the atmosphere with the people around you, Smokie Mo's may be your first (and maybe last) stop of the night.
I think a weekly fix of Smokie Mo's is going to be a regular distraction to my studies in Liverpool.. read more