You could try the police club on bishop road, good function room and seriously cheap ale (a round for four people about £6!) but they book up early for functions so ring them soonest

Parr Labour club is a good night out and you get the live bands

thanks for the replies so far guys.

What I am after ideally is a decent restaurant. We get some good scoff with a few shandies and then go and get leathered is the plan.

I think Liverpool or maybe even Warrington may be the best bet to be honest but just wanted to see if any one had any ideas.

Well then the only acceptable place is the palace on duke st. Thay have IMO the best pint of bitter in town and the food cannot be faulted, they even have a separate room upstairs if you don't want to mix with the general public

You could try Le Frog?

It depends on what kind of food you are looking for really though?

Chans on North Road is Very good.

Go for a curry, plenty to choose from and all in the town centre.
Plenty chinese restaurants to.
Colours restaurant under the college and almsot on westfield street.

St helens is a gastronomic delight, kebabs and splits fish and currys a plenty

Charlie Chans North road, great food.

Chans is probably the best restaurant, but the food takes ages to arrive, in my experience.

I know it's a chain but I like the St Helens branch of Frankie & Benny's. Avoid Larkin's at all costs. I'm also surprised at what you said about La Vita - I quite liked it there, except for the fact no one goes in, and the owner is a bit too 'familiar'.

If you're just after some quick scran and then beer after, you probably couldn't go too far wrong at the Chinese Buffet next door but one to La Vita

le frog or la casa vieja. Both near train station, then into town for bevvies! Cant go wrong with the food in both places but u may need to book in advance.

go to the warehouse just off Duke Street good grub and right near the action for a few jars

Rusking Drive, can't go wrong with a buffy there.

C'est Magnifique!

do you work for john bierne??

The Warehouse is quite good and the bar is right there within the restaurant. Plenty of space and plenty of noise to get you in the mood!

If you're willing to go so far as a taxi fare, if you want some gorgeous food then there is Quattros off the Rainford by-pass (near the junction of the M58, I think it is - never can remember which motorway that is as I never use it!) or there is Houghwood Golf Club, again off the by-pass but closer to St Helens. They're both quite upmarket, though (which is why I know them ) but the food is really good at both and they're both used to catering for large groups.