Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

Official pages of the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, containing menus, ale and wine lists - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

Official pages of the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, containing menus, ale and wine lists - www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk

What has been left unsaid about what is probably Britain’s most ornate pub? In a city with an outstanding collection of exuberant edwardian and victorian pubs the Philly stands out. Five different drinking areas including the main bar, a Grande Lounge and two rooms called Brahms and Liszt, all decorated with mosaic floors, stained glass, brass plaques and a mass of carved dark wood. But architecture aside it is a pub not just a popular tourist destination. The beers are usually major names, Fullers, Marstons, Deuchars etc, always of acceptable or better quality and there will be a choice of four or five most of the time. The staff are courteous and generally attentive which is just as well given a customer base of curious tourists and occasional Liverpudlians, however this means there is little in the way of atmosphere, it can feel more a privilege than a pleasure to drink here; perhaps this also betrays its gentleman’s club origins. I have a Liverpudlian friend who says the only thing worth going there for is the gents bogs.