The Black Toad

The Black Toad – Dog Friendly Micropub in Hoylake

The Black Toad has become one of Hoylake’s best-loved independent pubs for craft beer, cask ales, and relaxed community atmosphere.

Located on Market Street, this award-winning micropub and bottleshop keeps things focused on good beer, friendly conversation, and an easy-going local feel. The venue was named Wirral CAMRA Pub of the Year 2025, and it is easy to see why people keep returning.

Inside, the atmosphere feels welcoming and unpretentious. There is a proper neighbourhood pub energy here, but with the beer selection and rotating taps that craft beer fans travel for. Whether you know your pale ales from your porters or simply want somewhere relaxed for a pint after a walk along the coast, The Black Toad manages to feel approachable for everyone.

The venue also has a strong independent spirit throughout, with regular tap changes, guest breweries, and a carefully curated bottleshop selection helping keep every visit a little different.

Visiting with Your Dog

Dogs are very much part of the atmosphere at The Black Toad.

The pub regularly shares visiting dogs across its social channels, and there is a relaxed, welcoming feel that makes stopping in with your dog feel natural rather than awkward. Staff and regulars alike seem genuinely comfortable around dogs, which always helps create a more enjoyable visit for owners too.

Because the space operates more like a cosy neighbourhood micropub than a large busy bar, the atmosphere tends to feel calmer and easier to manage with dogs alongside you. It works especially well after a beach walk, coastal stroll, or relaxed afternoon exploring Hoylake and the surrounding Wirral coastline.

The community feel is a big part of the experience here, and dogs clearly fit comfortably into that environment.

Craft Beer, Cask Ales, and Bottleshop Finds

Beer is at the centre of everything at The Black Toad.

The pub regularly rotates cask ales, craft beers, stouts, IPAs, and seasonal specials from breweries across the UK and beyond. Alongside the draught selection, the bottleshop shelves are packed with cans and bottles covering everything from local favourites to harder-to-find craft releases.

Real ale fans will feel especially at home here, but the range stays broad enough for casual drinkers too. There is always something new appearing on the pumps or in the fridges, which helps keep the venue fresh even for regular visitors.

The pub also hosts food pop-ups and occasional events, adding to the lively independent atmosphere without losing the relaxed neighbourhood feel that makes the venue so popular.

What to Expect

Expect excellent beer, rotating cask ales, friendly conversation, and a genuinely dog friendly micropub atmosphere in the heart of Hoylake.

The Black Toad balances serious beer knowledge with a welcoming local feel, which makes it approachable whether you are a long-time craft beer fan or simply looking for a relaxed pint with your dog beside you.

For dog owners, the laid-back atmosphere and friendly environment make this a particularly easy pub to return to regularly after walks along the Wirral coast.

Before visiting, it is always worth checking The Black Toad’s official channels for current opening times, tap lists, food pop-ups, and upcoming events before heading over.