Tucked away on Mill Lane in Liscard is a small pub with a big legacy. The Lazy Landlord, Wirral’s first ever micro-pub, has just celebrated its 11th birthday — marking more than a decade of craft beer, community spirit and quiet revolution. In many ways, it helped spark a trend that would go on to reshape local pub culture.
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When The Lazy Landlord first opened its doors, the concept of a “micro-pub” was still largely unknown across Merseyside. Long before similar venues began appearing in towns and suburbs across the region, this quirky little gem was already proving that great beer, good conversation and a welcoming atmosphere didn’t require a huge space or a booming sound system.
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Known for its carefully curated and ever-changing selection, The Lazy Landlord offers a revolving range of real ales, bitters, dark and pale ales, alongside keg beers. Its commitment to quality and independent brewing has not gone unnoticed, earning the pub multiple awards from CAMRA over the years and inclusion in The Good Beer Guide — cementing its reputation among beer lovers far beyond the Wirral.
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But for owner Joe Bryan, The Lazy Landlord is about far more than what’s on tap. He describes the pub as a true community hub — one that has played a significant role in improving his own mental health. The intimate setting encourages conversation, connection and a sense of belonging, something that Joe believes is just as important as the beer itself.
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Joe explains: “The Lazy Landlord was founded by Lenny Henry (not THE haha) and his brother Mike in 2014, before micro-pubs were a thing. I worked there from 2016 and absolutely loved the concept he created — a real beer connoisseur’s heaven with a great atmosphere. For me, the community and social aspect was a huge factor in improving my mental health.”
He continues: “I’ve always struggled with anxiety and depression but what Lenny created was a safe and welcoming space — for the first time in my life it was somewhere to work that eased my mental health rather than made it worse. When he decided to sell the business in 2024 I just had to take it on — I wanted to continue his great work and help others through this very special pub.”
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That community spirit is reflected in the wide range of groups that regularly meet at the pub. Tuesdays play host to the chess group followed by the weekly quiz, whilst on the first Wednesday of every month the local allotment group gathers.
Board game enthusiasts meet on the last Thursday of each month, whilst every couple of months, the pub also hosts a writers’ group — bringing together creatives to share ideas in a relaxed and supportive environment. The intimate and quirky setting is ideal for small groups to meet and connect.
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Joe is keen for The Lazy Landlord to continue growing as a shared space and is open to more groups and organisations using the pub. Whether it’s hobbies, creative pursuits or simply a place for people to connect, the door is very much open and strangers are always welcome.
Joe explains: “I’m very proud that The Lazy Landlord still stands strong after the micro-pub boom has resulted in micro-pubs now in pretty much every Wirral town. We have a loyal group of regulars and some wonderful community groups that use our space. People often forget that we were the original Wirral micro-pub now that there are so many around, but we’re still here and welcoming new guests.”
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Eleven years on, The Lazy Landlord remains a shining example of what a local pub can be — small in size, but rich in character, creativity and community. In a changing high street landscape, it stands as proof that sometimes the simplest ideas, done well, can have the biggest impact.
The Lazy Landlord / 56 Mill Lane, Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 5UG / Tues-Thurs 4pm-10.30pm, Fri-Sun 2pm-10.30pm
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