Liverpool's Art Nouveau Pub
Liverpool's Philharmonic Dining Rooms, a Victorian art nouveau pub on Hope Street, is being celebrated for its architecture [https://x.com/LiverpoolVista/status/2031357798701752534] — 'they don’t build them like this anymore'.
Designed by Walter W. Thomas, the Philharmonic Dining Rooms were built between 1898 and 1900 for Robert Cain, a local brewer. Its location on the corner of Hope and Hardman Street is diagonally opposite the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, hence the name. The pub is known for its "exuberant free style" architecture, featuring a combination of two and three stories, with cellars and attics. The exterior boasts elaborate carvings, turrets, and a low relief sculpture of musicians. The metal gates at the main entrance are attributed to H. Bloomfield Bare and showcase Art Nouveau style. The interior is just as impressive, with designers and craftsmen supervised by George Hall Neale and Arthur Stratton. It incorporates Arts & Crafts elements, Jacobean-style plasterwork, and mahogany woodwork. The gentlemen's toilets are particularly noteworthy for their marble urinals and ornate gates. The Philharmonic is more than just a pretty building; it's a Grade I listed building, meaning it's of "exceptional interest". In fact, it was the first purpose-built Victorian pub to receive this highest level of protection. This puts it in the top 2.5% of protected historic buildings in England. Popular legend says The Phil is haunted by a Lady in White and a Laughing Barman. Whether or not you believe the tales, its lavish past definitely adds to the pub's unique atmosphere.
