Quick info
About Old Duke
Old Duke is a pub on Scarisbrick New Rd in Southport, named after William Sutton, the "Old Duke," who founded Southport in 1792. The name gives the pub a link to the town's own beginnings. The kitchen cooks grilled food alongside pub dishes like steak and ale pie and beer battered fish and chips. Mini donuts appear on the dessert menu. Since its refurbishment, the building is divided into separate dining sections, so the space works as several distinct areas rather than one open room. Orders are placed at the bar.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention kids play area, sunday roast, dog friendly and surf and turf.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention kids play area, sunday roast, dog friendly and surf and turf.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly staff and the family-friendly setup, especially the play area that kids love, along with a drawing computer one group mentions. Food is the next draw, with the roast called "to die for" by one regular, and others naming surf and turf and hunter chicken, all described as hot and cooked to perfection. Several say service stayed quick even when the pub was busy, and groups of seven or more celebrated a mother's day meal, a father's day meal and a hen party there. One family was offered alternatives when the chocolate dipping sauce for the mini donuts ran out. The main complaint comes from one visitor who found the food slow to arrive despite a quiet room, and said kids screaming from both sides of the pub spoiled the atmosphere. A returning customer also noted the prices were not inexpensive after the refurbishment, and several mention it is dog friendly.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the friendly staff and the family-friendly setup, especially the play area that kids love, along with a drawing computer one group mentions. Food is the next draw, with the roast called "to die for" by one regular, and others naming surf and turf and hunter chicken, all described as hot and cooked to perfection. Several say service stayed quick even when the pub was busy, and groups of seven or more celebrated a mother's day meal, a father's day meal and a hen party there. One family was offered alternatives when the chocolate dipping sauce for the mini donuts ran out. The main complaint comes from one visitor who found the food slow to arrive despite a quiet room, and said kids screaming from both sides of the pub spoiled the atmosphere. A returning customer also noted the prices were not inexpensive after the refurbishment, and several mention it is dog friendly.
Featured reviews
- Janine Lee
“We visited for dinner whilst staying locally and had a really lovely meal. Staff were helpful and polite, food was hot and drinks were cold. The pub is often very busy when we visit but still find that everything runs smoothly and the wait for service is never overly long. We love the atmosphere of this pub, it's always very welcoming and happy. Never had a bad experience and we probably visit once or twice a year. Would visit more if we lived closer.”
- Rebecca McCormack
“Love this place! Very much my local.. spend far too much time eating here rather than home! Which the staff are starting to notice 😂😂 They recently hosted my mums 60th birthday meal, couldn’t have done enough in sorting the table. All meals were fantastic and tasty, lots of empty plates. The atmosphere with the staff is just so friendly and always so accommodating. My kids love it here, lovely play area and lots for them to be kept busy. Just an all rounder beautiful place with beautiful staff who care about their customers and an added bonus of great sense of humours! The chef, well he’s obviously amazing as I can’t seem to not eat there currently. Love it! Amazing team and great pub, well done guys! 👏 very proud to have this as a local. Ps, the roast is to die for!”
- Carole Hunter
“Party of 7 out for a family/father's day meal. Ordering at the bar was easy and staff were knowledgeable and helpful regarding menu queries. Food came out in good time and was good quality. All of us enjoyed our meal including my picky 7 year old. Only ordered dessert for the child as the adults were all full, child requested the mini donuts and when we were told that the chocolate dipping sauce was not available we were offered a variety of alternatives and the child enjoyed it very much. Once we had eaten we took our remaining drinks outside to enjoy the weather and let the child have a play in the lovely and well maintained play area. Great experience, will definitely be returning”
- Wai Lee
“Approachable, friendly manager and staff .. Hosted a Hen Party of 16 ..decorated beforehand...lovely evening had by all and to staff for joining in! Would highly recommend for small gathering/parties ..Thank you again Simon and crew 🌈🎉”
- katie fielding
“We had a lovely first visit to this pub today and would highly recommend. The staff were absolutely lovely from the moment we stepped through the door and greeted with such kindness and happy smiles which makes everything better. I visited with my mum and dad as it was their wedding anniversary. All the food was hot delicious and came very quick. Loads to pick off from the menu and very tasty, everything we had was cooked to perfection. The staff was sure to ask us if we wanted our starters with mains or separate . It was great to see the hospitality of the staff all getting along and enjoying their job and each others company. Would highly recommend to anyone to visit this pub . As they had separate dining for anyone not interested in sports and it’s dog friendly too which is always a bonus. Thank you to the team who was Charlie, Caleb, Si, and the wonderful chefs Jacob and Ben. We will be back again that’s for sure. Have a good evening from the fielding family 😄”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“The Old Duke is named in honour of William Sutton, also known as the Old Duke, who founded Southport in 1792. A landlord himself, Sutton often entertained his customers by playing the fiddle. Although a fiddle may not be a regular feature at The Old Duke, the pub will be serving mouth-watering food straight from the grill. Not only this, it also offers classic pub favourites from steak and ale pie to beer battered fish and chips, perfect to eat in a seaside town! For younger visitors, there is also a children’s menu that’ll please even the fussiest kids. For those warm summer evenings, The Old Duke has a beer garden which is ideal for enjoying a nice cold pint. Whether you and your mates are looking to kick-back and enjoy a fantastic ste...”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 3
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near Old Duke
- Cheshire Lines Inn4.56811.9 miWheelchair accessible
sunday roast lunch, cheshire lines butchers block, real ales
- The Sir Henry Segrave3.94,7172 miWheelchair accessible
small breakfast with refillable hot drink, self-serve coffee machines, slow food service
- The Crown4.18482.2 miReservationsGood for kids
fish & chips, sunday roast beef, pub quiz nights
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Duke | 4.31,720 | — | kids play area, sunday roast, dog friendly |
| Cheshire Lines InnWheelchair accessible | 4.5681 | 1.9 mi | sunday roast lunch, cheshire lines butchers block, real ales |
| The Sir Henry SegraveWheelchair accessible | 3.94,717 | 2 mi | small breakfast with refillable hot drink, self-serve coffee machines, slow food service |
| The CrownReservations · Good for kids | 4.1848 | 2.2 mi | fish & chips, sunday roast beef, pub quiz nights |
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