AND so it’s farewell to the Saturday Pub Column.

Now, now, don’t cry. It was good while it lasted.

So as we reach the end of the road and the landlord calls last orders while the Fat Lady sings (that’s enough clichés! – Ed) it seems appropriate to reflect on just how good the past five years really have been putting the liver on the front line for little old you.

During that time, there have been quite a few pubs that didn’t come up to scratch, however.

But though it can very entertaining pulling something to bits, the feeling was that it would be better to eulogise about the ones to visit and savour, than highlight the Merseyside alehouses to avoid.

Just how super-duper some of our hostelries are was never so apparent as when I took some time to retrace my steps and trudge around town to choose 30 city centre hostelries for the book, The Great Liverpool Pub Crawl.

The only regret was that, deciding on the most accessible route meant that a number of Liverpool alehouses featured in these columns had to be left out. For that, I extend my apologies and ask the following to come forward and take a bow: The “little” Grapes, Knight Street; The Pilgrim, Pilgrim Street; the Victorian glass palace which is the Central Hotel, Ranelagh Street; the Cornmarket, off Fenwick Street; Exchange Bar, Old Hall Street; Cross Keys, Earle Street; Railway Hotel, Tithebarn Street; Coopers and the karaoke kings of Cases Street; Beehive, Paradise Street; Old Post Office, School Lane.

Rest assured, if there is ever a Great Liverpool Pub Crawl, Part 2, all of you will be included.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say thank-you to the mine hosts and hostesses who have been such good company for Yours Truly and members of the pub posse on occasional escape from the neon dungeon that is Castle Greyskull.

So, take a bow, Fiona at Rigby’s; Dominic at the Fly in the Loaf; John, Marie and Mal, at the Lion Tavern; Paul and Co at the Ship and Mitre and last, but not least, Richie, Sandra and the rest of the girls at the Exchange.

Thanks also goes to Geoff, John, Ian and all the others at CAMRA who have provided invaluable support and information to the Saturday column.

And then there’s the Pub Posse itself. Going to the pub on your own is a definite no-no. So, thanks to them for holding my hand – metaphorically speaking, of course! – on adventures into the unknown. You know who you are.

Special mention, though, must be given to one of the most faithful companions, Arts Editor Phil “Wotcha cock” Key, right, who has, like Elvis, just left the building, ie, Greyskull. Cheers, tosh!

I, too, sadly, will soon be leaving the Castle.

But now for the good – or should that be the bad news.

At the Bar is to return from the dead in a new Friday slot next week – with Yours Truly still behind the pumps.

That Fat Lady will have to put a sock in it for now.