Quick info
About The Black Horse
On School Hill in Lower Heswall, The Black Horse is a pub on the Wirral with a traditional coaching inn layout of a bar, wooden panelling, a snug, a lounge and a snooker room. The bar carries a range of beers, wines and spirits, and a fireplace sits inside. Live music includes a live band night, a jazz night and an open mic night, and sporting events are shown. A separate conservatory is used for dining and for private functions, which suits groups. Full meals are not served, but pizzas and pies are available. Dogs are welcome, and the Wirral Way coastal footpath is a few minutes' walk away, so the pub is a stop for walkers.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- AccessibilityWheelchair: restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music nights, jazz night, open mic night and pizzas and pies.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention live music nights, jazz night, open mic night and pizzas and pies.
Customer Review Summary
Live music is what reviewers return to most, with a jazz night, an open mic night and a busy evening with a live band all mentioned. Staff are repeatedly called friendly, and one reviewer says the landlord looked after them very well. Others note the old fashioned feel, a cosy fireplace and good beer. One says no meals are served, only pizzas and pies, and another mentions limited outdoor seating.
Customer Review Summary
Live music is what reviewers return to most, with a jazz night, an open mic night and a busy evening with a live band all mentioned. Staff are repeatedly called friendly, and one reviewer says the landlord looked after them very well. Others note the old fashioned feel, a cosy fireplace and good beer. One says no meals are served, only pizzas and pies, and another mentions limited outdoor seating.
Featured reviews
- Mark Leat
“Great old fashioned pub. Excellent staff. Good for live music and sporting events. Limited outdoor seating. Doesn't have rooms to rent.”
- Philomena Mason
“Great local pub in pretty Lower Heswall. A great starting point or stop off for local walks. I attended the jazz night last Tuesday and we enjoyed the atmosphere and were looked after very well by the landlord. Worth checking the opening times before you pay a visit.”
- Michael Ryan
“The Black Horse public house on School Hill in Lower Heswall is one of the Heswall's oldest pubs; opened around 1836. It is outstanding inside and very popular with locals. As far as I am aware, it's the only pub in Lower Heswall and is of traditional coaching inn design, with a front porch, a bar with wooden panelling, a snooker room, separate conservatory for dining/private functions, lounge and a snug too. It is a little off the beaten track and negotiating the steep School Hill after enjoying a pint or two can be a bit tricky if you are on foot returning to Upper Heswall. The beer is good and its a cosy pub in winter, complete with a fire place. The Black Horse really stands out in Lower Heswall and has a good atmosphere. Staff are friendly, the meals are tasty. Many original features still exist which adds to its charm. Close to the Wirral Way coastal foot path, a few minutes walk away, means it's popular with walkers who can sit and relax after their walk. Public wi-fi is available. The bar serves a good range of beers, wines and spirits; customers often leave their business card posted on a notice board just inside the main entrance. Operated by a company: Star Pubs & Bars, in 2024 the pub was nearly permanently closed due to the departure of the landlord and mounting costs but fortunately was saved and remains open to this day. Recommended. [Review Updated: April 2026.]”
- Nick Bower
“Busy as they had a live band on. Pleasant atmosphere”
- Peter Banks
“Great pub especially for live music. Staff are really friendly. No meals served but nice pizzas and pies if you feel peckish.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Pet-friendly
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Live music
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Highlights· 4
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Live performances
- Sports
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Dining options· 2
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Air-conditioned
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed
Location
Bars near The Black Horse
- The Dee View inn4.42390.2 mi£1–30ReservationsOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
cask ales selection, dog friendly with treats, views across the Dee
- 0.4 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
real ales, wide beer selection, knowledgeable staff beer explanations
- Nyx Bar Heswall4.22590.4 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
function room parties, outdoor space, buffet
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Black HorseReservations · Outdoor seating · Good for kids | 4.5142 | — | — | live music nights, jazz night, open mic night |
| The Dee View innReservations · Outdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.4239 | 0.2 mi | £1–30 | cask ales selection, dog friendly with treats, views across the Dee |
| The bow-legged beagle heswallWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.6111 | 0.4 mi | £10–20 | real ales, wide beer selection, knowledgeable staff beer explanations |
| Nyx Bar HeswallReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.2259 | 0.4 mi | £20–30 | function room parties, outdoor space, buffet |
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