There are many pubs dotted around Liverpool that have been a part of our city for so long it’s hard to imagine life without them.
From the Beatles’ favourite place for a tipple, to cosy ale houses tucked away in the city centre, the ECHO has collated the below list of 12 of the oldest pubs in Liverpool. The venues are steeped in history, with some even attracting famous faces decades ago.
While many have undergone refurbishments during their time in business, many of the pubs’ traditional features remain. Each venue offers a different atmosphere and setting, but what they share in common is an extensive drinks menu and a high-quality service that keeps locals coming back for more.
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The majority of the venues listed also offer traditional pub grub, the perfect companion to a cold pint or glass of wine. Be sure to let us know in the comments section which of Liverpool's oldest pubs is your favourite.
Ye Hole In Ye Wall
Liverpool's oldest pub is this 18th-century tavern based on the quaint Hackins Hey street. Ye Hole In Ye Wall has been serving the city since 1726 and continues to satisfy customers with its variety of drinks and food, including real ales and pies - the perfect combination. Ye Hole In Ye Wall often has live music to keep its customers entertained.
The Swan Inn
This three-storey pub was established in 1898 and has certainly witnessed plenty over the years. Stepping through the doors of The Swan Inn is like travelling back in time, with the pub decked out with wooden pews that date back to the Blitz and are said to have been taken from Liverpool’s iconic Bombed Out Church. In the 1960s, The Swan Inn became a bikers' pub, remaining popular with rock and metal fans to this day.
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Ye Cracke
Ye Cracke is famous for being John Lennon's favourite place for a drink. Tucked away on Rice Street, the quaint pub is said to have been serving customers since 1825. The venue offers a variety of beers, wines and spirits, and as well as locals, it’s popular with Beatles fans who travel to Liverpool from across the world.
Peter Kavanagh’s
This pub has stunning stained-glass windows and a Charles Dickens-themed mural, making it stand out from the crowd of bustling Liverpool venues. Peter Kavanagh’s was built in 1844 and was formerly called the Liver Inn. You can feel the pub’s history the moment you step through the door, with the interior decorated with trinkets and old photographs.
The Globe
As well as being one of Liverpool’s oldest pubs, The Globe is also one of the city’s smallest, tucked away near Clayton Square on Cases Street. Built in 1888, the pub has traditional wood panelling, stained glass windows, a tiled floor and leather benches. Due to its tiny size, it can be hard to grab a table at The Globe, but this doesn’t put people off, with visitors more than happy to stand and enjoy their choice of tipple while they soak up the history.
The Slaughter House
This pub on Fenwick Street has been open since the early 1800s offering an extensive range of drinks, from ales to gin. The Slaughter House hosts regular live music and comedy nights at its Laughterhouse Comedy Club in the pub’s basement, with the likes of John Bishop and Jason Manford performing there. The Slaughter House is said to be haunted, which is no surprise considering its age.
The Belvedere
The Belvedere is a stunning Grade II-listed building that was built in the 1830s and is located off the beaten track due to it being situated at the end of a cute cul-de-sac off Falkner Street in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter. The Belvedere is particularly popular with gin drinkers, with the venue stocking a long list of the adored tipple in a variety of flavours.
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Roscoe Head
Another Liverpool pub that has been around for nearly two centuries is the Roscoe Head. Opening in the 1830s, this cosy ale house says it’s “the only pub in the North of England” to appear in every edition of the Camra Good Beer Guide since it was first published in 1974. Roscoe Head is a traditional pub with not a jukebox or fruit machine in sight, and prides itself on serving an excellent selection of real ales and craft beers.
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms
One of Liverpool’s oldest and most characterful pubs has to be The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, better known as The Phil. Not only is the building a site to behold, but the gentlemen’s toilets have become a tourist attraction within their own right, thanks to the marble urinals. The Victorian pub was commissioned between 1898 and 1900 with the aim of creating a venue in the style of a gentleman’s club. Nowadays, the Philharmonic is loved for its range of quality real ales and traditional pub grub.
The Grapes
The Grapes was built around 1804 and is known as being one of the Beatles’ favourite venues. It was the only pub on Mathew Street in the 1960s, and in 1998, the building underwent a huge refurbishment. In 2019, The Grapes had another makeover, but many of its original features remain. The pub is loved for its live music, jukebox, and karaoke nights.
The Lion Tavern
It’s said this Grade II-listed pub has been serving customers since 1840, but it temporarily closed for restoration work in 1915 when the current layout was created. The Lion Taverne has a traditional wooden bar offering a variety of cask ales, real ciders, local gins and whiskey. The pub is also well-known for its delicious locally-sourced pork pies. The Lion Tavern also has a free jukebox, so customers can listen to their favourite music while enjoying their drinks.
Ma Egerton’s
Built in 1869, this Victorian pub is named after the pub's longest serving landlady, Mary Egerton. As well as being popular with the locals, Ma Egerton’s has attracted many celebrities over the years, with the likes of Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra visiting the pub back in the day. Ma Egerton’s is also known for its celeb-themed pizzas and live events.
Which of Liverpool’s oldest pubs is your favourite? Let us know in the comments section below.
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