Liverpool’s Historic Pubs: Drinking in Listed Buildings
Liverpool’s wealth as a port at the end of the nineteenth century produced some of the most elaborate pub interiors in England. Several survive almost intact, and a handful are now protected at the highest levels of the listing system.
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms
On the corner of Hope Street and Hardman Street, the Philharmonic Dining Rooms was built between 1898 and 1900 to designs by the Liverpool architect Walter W. Thomas. In 2020 it became the first purpose-built Victorian pub in England to be listed at Grade I, the category that covers the top 2.5 per cent of listed buildings. You can read the official list entry on Historic England. Its mosaic floors, carved woodwork, copper panels and much-photographed marble gents’ toilets make it a destination in its own right. Old Town Liverpool has a venue page on the Philharmonic Dining Rooms.
The Vines on Lime Street
Known locally as “The Big House”, The Vines on Lime Street was listed at Grade II* in the same review of historic pub interiors. It is a short walk from Lime Street station, which makes it one of the easiest heritage pubs to reach for visitors arriving by train.
Other pubs worth knowing
- The Globe, Cases Street — a small traditional pub near Liverpool Central, known for cask ale.
- The Denbigh Castle and The Saddle Inn — two pubs in the historic core featured by Old Town Liverpool.
Where to read more
For a fuller tour of the city’s Victorian and Edwardian pubs, see Old Town Liverpool’s guide to Liverpool’s gin palaces, which records the building history behind each one. The Campaign for Real Ale’s pub heritage work, carried out with Historic England, is also a useful reference for the city’s protected interiors.
Many of these pubs sit close to the theatres and concert halls covered in our guide to Liverpool’s stages, so they fit naturally into an evening out.
Frequently asked questions
Which Liverpool pub is Grade I listed?
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms on Hope Street was listed at Grade I in 2020, the first purpose-built Victorian pub in England to receive that status.
Who designed the Philharmonic Dining Rooms?
It was designed by the Liverpool architect Walter W. Thomas and built between 1898 and 1900.
What is The Vines in Liverpool known as?
The Vines on Lime Street is known locally as “The Big House”. It is listed at Grade II*.
More from Liverpool: Beacon Worth Liverpool — eat and drink, shows and nightlife, neighbourhoods, and business across the city.
Disclosure: Old Town Liverpool, referenced in this article, is a partner publication of Beacon Worth. Venue details change, so check opening times and bookings directly with each venue.
