Permit Room Opens in Liverpool

The name "Permit Room" is a nod to the history of drinking in Bombay (now Mumbai). Following the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949, which banned alcohol, "permit rooms" emerged in the 1970s as spaces where those with a government-issued permit could legally consume liquor, often for "the preservation or maintenance of health". These were typically no-frills venues where men would gather. Dishoom's modern interpretation is an all-day bar and café concept, a spin-off from their main restaurants. While the original Dishoom restaurants pay homage to the Irani cafés of 20th-century Bombay, the Permit Room specifically celebrates the city's unique drinking culture that evolved during the prohibition era. This is not the first Permit Room; the concept was launched in Brighton in 2022, followed by locations in Cambridge, Oxford, and London's Portobello Road. The Liverpool establishment joins this growing family of neighborhood-focused venues that aim to capture the spirit of Bombay's clandestine bars. The location at 1 Dale Street is on one of Liverpool's original seven streets, dating back to the 13th century. Historically a major route lined with coaching inns, the street has a long-standing connection to hospitality and social gatherings, making it a fitting home for a venue that channels the communal spirit of Bombay's drinking dens.