When asked about the negative ramifications of fame, John Lennon is once said to have replied, “Not being able to have a drink at ‘the Phil!’” And as recently as June 9, 2018, Paul McCartney dropped into the legendary Liverpool pub to play a “secret concert” while promoting his new album.
Which is to say, if the Philharmonic Dining Rooms is good enough for members of The Beatles, it’s good enough for me.
Considered “an eccentric jewel in Liverpool’s Victorian Crown,” and “the most ornate pub in England,” the historic public house takes its name from the Philharmonic Hall across the street and was commissioned between 1898 and 1900 in the style of a gentlemen’s club. It has since been listed as a Grade II building (with Grade l toilets, more on that later) in the National Heritage List for England.
With dark wood panelled rooms, carved and polished mahogany walls, intricately ornate ceilings, a large mosaic counter and floor, and stained glass windows, the venue also boasts giant chandeliers and leather chairs and a musical theme throughout. Even the toilets in the men’s loo are so ornate that they are “Grade l listed” and regularly attract women to gawk at the, er, plumbing. “Dead posh the urinals, aren’t they?” gushes one female Facebook follower.
Of course, there’s more to a great pub than its décor and lavatories and the Phil bar serves up over 20 types of gin, plus whiskey, ciders and real ales (including British craft and international brews), while the kitchen specializes in stylish pub grub ranging from several types of pies (steak, fish, game, wild boar), to fish and chips and toad in the hole, but also burgers, salmon and steak (and don’t forget the traditional sticky toffee pudding for dessert).
With so much going for it – great food, drink, architecture, décor, a lavish loo, and the odd plug from a Beatle or two – the Phil is ranked No. 420 of the top 500 UK experiences by Lonely Planet in its most recent Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist.
Located at 36 Hope St. at the corner of Hardman, the Philharmonic Dining Rooms is open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight (11 p.m. on Sundays). And dogs – “with well behaved owners” – are welcome.
(“Pub Crawl” is an ongoing series in which we reveal some of our favourite public houses, both at home and abroad – and, in the spirit of the establishment, invite you to share with us yours. Send suggestions to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com Cheers!)
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