O'Neill's Liverpool

You'll find yourself in one of the better examples of how a chain pub should operate. The Hanover Street location sprawls across multiple levels, but somehow avoids feeling soulless – probably because they've nailed the fundamentals. The Guinness pours properly, the staff know their way around a busy bar, and there's always something happening whether it's live music or match day madness. The food leans heavily into Irish comfort classics done competently rather than exceptionally, but that's exactly what you want after a few pints. Weekend nights get properly raucous, while weekday afternoons offer a more civilised pint-and-chat atmosphere. It's predictable in the best possible way – you know exactly what you're getting, and they deliver it consistently.