Liverpool's Top Five Pubs: A Guide to the City's Most Photogenic Watering Holes
Liverpool is globally renowned for its musical heritage, maritime history, and sporting achievements, but it also boasts an exceptional pub culture that invites exploration. While many tourists are drawn to the Beatles-themed bars in the Cavern Quarter, the walkable city centre is dotted with other captivating establishments perfect for a leisurely pint or any preferred beverage. Here are five of Liverpool's most photogenic pubs, each offering unique charm and character.
The Monro: A Dublin-Inspired Gem
With a significant portion of Liverpool's population tracing roots to Ireland, Irish bars are plentiful, but The Monro stands out for its subtle approach to celebrating Irish culture. Housed in a Georgian-fronted merchant's mansion from the 1700s, this pub is designed as a re-imagined century-old Dublin pub. Its interior features distressed and quirky decor, including animal heads, vintage photographs, advertisements, and ship figureheads adorning the walls, paying homage to its namesake passenger ship that once sailed from Liverpool to New York.
Patrons can enjoy a well-poured Guinness, along with a selection of cask ales and whiskies. During warmer months, the beer garden is a popular spot, while in winter, cozying up by one of the crackling log fires is a must. Open until 2:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, The Monro is a key late-night venue in the Ropewalks district, adding to Liverpool's vibrant nightlife.
St Peter's Tavern: From Church to Celebrity Hotspot
Located around the corner from The Monro and operated by the same group, St Peter's Tavern is another favourite in the Ropewalks area, known for its eclectic interior design and lively atmosphere. The pub occupies a building that served as a Catholic church from 1788 to 1976, with a stunning baroque altar remaining as a historical centrepiece. Notably, Mother Teresa is said to have attended mass here during its time as a place of worship for Irish and Polish communities.
After a period as Alma de Cuba, a glamorous Latin-inspired nightclub frequented by Liverpool's footballers and celebrities, the venue underwent a major renovation before reopening as St Peter's Tavern in 2024. Today, it attracts drinkers of all ages across four candle-lit levels, offering a vibrant setting that contrasts with its past role in abstinence campaigns against alcoholism in the 19th century.
The Bridewell: A Victorian Jail Turned Pub
On the edge of Ropewalks, near the Liverpool ONE shopping mall, The Bridewell offers a unique pub experience set in a converted Victorian police station and jail. The name "Bridewell" originates from a former palace of King Henry VIII that later became a prison in London, and it became a common term for jails across Britain. This Liverpool lock-up once detained petty criminals, including drunken sailors and dockers, before serving as a rehearsal space for bands like Frankie Goes To Hollywood and being transformed into a pub in 2019.
Visitors can enjoy drinks in the preserved cells with comfortable seating or socialize on the front patio, which features a plaque with an illustration of Charles Dickens. The author, a regular visitor to Liverpool, was sworn in as a special constable at the station in 1860, and his experiences here contributed to his book, "The Uncommercial Traveller."
Philharmonic Dining Rooms: A Historic Masterpiece
Affectionately known as "The Phil," this stunning pub in Liverpool's hilltop Georgian Quarter is a former haunt of The Beatles and sits opposite the Philharmonic Hall. Whether visiting before or after a concert or while exploring the city's two cathedrals, the pub captivates with its elaborate carvings, wood panelling, and flamboyant tiling. Highlights include the marble-clad gents' toilets, lounges named after classical composers, and art nouveau-style metal entrance gates.
Designed in the late 1890s by Welsh architect Walter Thomas for Irish-born brewer Robert Cain, "The Phil" holds a Grade I listing from Historic England. It is widely regarded as one of the most photogenic spots in the country for enjoying a gin and tonic, pie, or pint, making it a must-visit for both locals and tourists.
The Vines: An Edwardian Grandeur
Often considered the main rival to "The Phil" in terms of beauty, The Vines was also designed by Walter Thomas in the following decade for Robert Cain. After Cain's firm merged with Walker's of Warrington in 1921, this pub earned a Grade II heritage listing and is nicknamed "The Big House" by Liverpudlians. Its imposing Edwardian exterior leads to an array of bars and rooms adorned with mahogany, leather, and lush vegetation.
Reborn in 2023 and owned by the same group as The Monro and St Peter's Tavern, The Vines shares some decorative trends, such as taxidermy, but feels more ornate and grandiose, particularly in the Billiard Room with its magnificent stained-glass dome. Located just minutes from Lime Street railway station, it serves as a memorable final stop for a drink before departing Liverpool.
In summary, Liverpool's pub scene offers far more than Beatles nostalgia, with these five establishments providing rich histories, stunning aesthetics, and vibrant atmospheres. From converted churches and jails to historic mansions, each pub adds a unique layer to the city's cultural tapestry, making them essential stops for any visitor looking to experience Liverpool's authentic charm.
