Liverpool is synonymous with glamour, that much is a fact. I mean, it goes with the territory really; we’ve got the most gorgeous girls and the fittest lads, so it’s hardly a surprise that we know how to pop bottles. But contrary to popular belief, we’re not just a city of cocktail bars and booths – we’ve also got some of the most historic, quirky and beautiful pubs in the country.
So allow me, Liverpool’s answer to Peggy Mitchell, Scarlett, to be your tour guide today and take you on a pub crawl of some of Liverpool’s most charismatic boozers…
Ye Hole in Ye Wall
Where better to start than Liverpool’s oldest pub. Now, just to clarify, I say ‘oldest’ in the loosest sense of the word as there’s about 10 gaffs that actually claim to hold the title. But while they fight it out between them, I’m going to make a call and crown ‘Ye Hole’ as the official granddaddy of the lot.
It opened back in the 17th Century and according to my arl fella rumour has it it’s haunted by a creepy old man who sits by the fireplace. But that’s not even the scariest thing about this one; it was also one of the last pubs in the city to let woman in for a drink, as late as 1977 – can you even cope with the cheek of it!?
Peter Kavanagh’s
PK’s also boasts a ghostly resident, if you’re into that kind of thing. Allegedly, after a séance in 1844 a spirit who called itself Marmaduke, (which sounds like a refugee from The Magic Roundabout IMO) couldn’t be banished after the circle was broken and still haunts the pub to this day – but, to be fair, it’s approx. £1.99 for a double vodka and coke so I suppose it’s not really worth him moving on.
Anyway, whether you believe in ghosts or not, PK’s is one of quirkiest pubs in town and definitely worth a visit.
Rigby’s
Next up is another contender for the oldest pub award, but we won’t dwell on that. As with the rest of this list, the pub itself is full of character – but the best thing about Rigby’s is the beer garden that it shares with The Lady of Mann.
Not only is it a proper little sun-trap from after-work bevs, but because it’s fronted by an ‘old man pub’ you won’t be swarmed by 18 year olds paying individually for their Archers and lemonades.
The Clove Hitch
Another pub with a cute AF hidden beer garden, The Clove Hitch is nestled in between the 19th Century Georgian Terraces of Hope Street – so perfect for when you’re in the student quarter but cba with students.
Downstairs, even more hidden away, is the 23 club which is not only famous for its amazing burgers, but in 2015 it was named one of the UK’s most beard-friendly pubs…. because apparently that’s a thing now!?
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms
And last but definitely not least we have probably the most ornate and breathtaking pub in Liverpool; The Philharmonic dining Rooms. Built in the late 1800’s it used to be a Gentleman’s Club, which explains the wood paneling, porno leather couches and the famously lavish men’s toilets.
I don’t know of any ghostly residents who dwell in the Phil, but I did have my own nightmare there last year when I made a mad dash into the gents to catch a glimpse of these renowned urinals… only to run smack bang into my ex. Having a piss. Someone bell a Delta for Scarlett.