The Vines (The Big House), Liverpool

Yesterday when I passed around 2pm the pub was closed and think the reason is from the Vines to just before the Crown the pavement on Lime Street is cordoned off ready for demolition.I think those 2 pubs are not affected although the 2 in the middle will suffer.

This is the sister pub to the Philharmonic. It's quite ornate on the inside and outside, but is somewhat shabbier than its sister pub. Currently only opens Friday - Sunday 10 - midnight and 3 - 11 on Monday. We called in on a Sunday night and it was alsolutely bouncing. There was a band playing in the rear room and we couldn't get through the door, so we went into the room on the right where another band were setting up. No real ale sadly, so I had a pint of Guinness. As soon as the first band finished the one in our room started up and soon this room was rammed as well. Many of the clientele appear to be slightly dodgy, spiv types and their women, so it's not for us. I'm glad we called in for a look, but we won't be doing it again.

Been in here many times but its just going down hill now

A National Inventory listed pub. Still has no real ale and still only open at weekends. I pop in now and again just to admire the interior and in the hope of seeing a handpump. Hopefully someday Nicholsons might take it over and restore it to its full splender.

Used to have area meetings here when i worked for spirit as a manager like said befor me Full of Edwardian Splendor also know as the big house last time i went it was closed and only opened on a week end but a must to see when opened

Impressive looking pub from the road, with several storeys of sculpted stonework and large etched windows. However, there has been something about the place (or perhaps some of the customers hanging about outside) which has previously put me off entering (particularly on a Friday or Saturday night). This time, I noticed that they open for breakfast and that seemed a good excuse to venture in. Full of Edwardian splendor, much of the rich decoration has survived intact (with just a few things added like the now-defunct smoke extractors). Two largish bars, with a further - and slightly tidier - lounge area to one side. As an Irish establishment, I felt that a pint of Murphys (£2.66) would go best with my fry-up (and it certainly wouldn't be right to drink John Smiths Smooth in such an architecturally interesting place). Overall, like many others, it almost makes you weep that they don't sell any real ale in a pub like this - if only somebody like Nicholsons took this on and did just a little restoration, it could be almost as good as the Philharmonic.