Liverpool's Philharmonic Dining Rooms

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms, often called "The Phil," was built between 1898 and 1900 for brewer Robert Cain. Walter W. Thomas designed it in an "exuberant free style," incorporating both two and three stories. The building stands on the corner of Hope and Hardman Streets, across from the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. The pub's architecture includes stepped gables, turrets with copper ogee domes, and a balustraded parapet. Inside, find musical-themed decor, repoussé copper panels by Henry Bloomfield Bare and Thomas Huson, and plasterwork by C.J. Allen. Two smaller rooms are named Brahms and Liszt. Its Grade I listing means it's considered of "exceptional interest" nationally. It is the first purpose-built Victorian pub to receive this designation. This puts it in the top 2.5% of protected historic buildings in England. The gentlemen's urinals are particularly famous, known for their pink marble. Paul McCartney played at the Philharmonic in his early career and even gave an impromptu concert in 2018. Some claim John Lennon said the worst part of being famous was not being able to pop into The Phil for a quiet pint.