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Submitted on Tuesday, 13^th January 2026
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Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

36 Hope Street
Liverpool
L1 9BX

Correct details

Pub Type

Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)

Served areas

Liverpool Central

Reviews of Philharmonic Dining Rooms (Average Rating: 8 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Will Larter left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms

I've been here before and wasn't as impressed as I wanted to be. Since then there has been an acclaimed restoration and I have to say it's looking magnificent. Beer first: lots of beers on the two sets of hand pumps, one or two "coming soon" and a similar number identifiably Christmas beers. I queried this with my very friendly, helpful and informative server, and he confirmed that it wasn't that they weren't busy, more a case of over-ordering. I finally spotted Black Sheep Best on the final hand pump and quickly recovered from being charged £3.05 for a half (NBSS 3.5) and turned around to look for somewhere to sit. The room on the left, with "Brahms" above the door, was a little busy, so I tried the room on the right and found a table near the door. The window in here is beautiful, as is the fireplace and surround; above it is a portrait of a 19th century composer - of course, it's Liszt. (I ducked back through the doorway to confirm his name above it.) Despite the beauty of this building, I wouldn't make a point of coming here every time I visit Liverpool. When all's said and done it's just a Nicholson's pub in a glorious building.

On 11^th January 2026 - rating: 8
[User has posted 4598 recommendations about 4212 pubs]

Strongers . left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms has been on my visit list for many years so I was pleased to call in on a recent weekday evening when there were hardly any other customers, which surprised me a little. The ornate black and gold gate at the entrance hints at what is to be expected inside, and it doesn’t disappoint. I could right pages on the interior, but I think it’s best to just go have a look for yourself if you’ve not been. The circular island bar supports two banks of five hand pumps that were drawing an offering from Purity Brewing, Old Peculiar, Stroud Brewery’s Tom Long, Wainwright Gold, Black Sheep, Stewart’s Edinburgh Black Stout, Laine’s Doublon and St Austell’s Tribute. Standard and premium keg were also available from the two friendly barmen. I did think that the dance music in the background detracted somewhat from the splendour of the building. I made sure to have a bulging bladder so that I could check out the toilets, but I wasn’t that impressed if I’m honest, they could certainly do with a scrub to get the black mould off the urinals. The actual pub though is well worth a look and I’ll pop back in next time I’m in the area.

On 21^st March 2025 - rating: 8
[User has posted 6377 recommendations about 6339 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Moby Duck left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms

It is obviously on the to do list when in Liverpool, however once will probably be enough. As nice as the interior is it was looking a bit on the tired side, the beer selection was pedestrian at best and I opted for the most exciting beer available in Salopian Oracle, normally a good doer but on this occasion it was very poor, to the extent I got it replaced, unfortunately there was no improvement and the beer was left unfinished, the pubs been ticked , I probably won't do it again.

On 15^th June 2024 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2257 recommendations about 2222 pubs]

View more reviews of Philharmonic Dining Rooms (21)

This pub features in the following crawls:
Liverpool - February 2010 by Gill Smith
Liverpool 5.3.11 by Gill Smith
Liverpool by train man

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