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Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool
Liverpool
L1 9BX
Pub Type
Nicholsons (Mitchells & Butlers)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
We've avoided this pub on our last couple of visits to Liverpool, but we called in this time as we were with friends who had never been before. What a shock when we arrived, one of the barmaids said "What can I get you?" rather than ignoring us. I hope that this is the norm now. The ales were all fairly safe regionals rather than micros, but my pint was well kept as were the others we tried. I'll have to up my score now you can get served. :-))
23/09/2009
Yes it's a fantastic looking pub but you just can't get served. It wasn't that busy on Saturday but we still couldn't get beer after a five minute wait. There were 4 staff on but 3 of them seemed to be collecting glasses! How can the staff here be so crap when after walking 100 yards to the Fly, which was much busier, you get acknowledged as soon as you go to the bar and are served in double quick time. Call in to have a look at Brahms, Liszt and the toilets but don't try and buy beer.
On 26th April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3225 recommendations about 3136 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
A pub interior that you have to see before you die,and so well described by PSM little needs to be added.
On the beer front ,I was underwhelmed by the choice from the ten handpumps,and the condition was ho hum.But dont let that put you off from visiting this sumptious Victorian extravaganza.
On 10th July 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2748 recommendations about 2748 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
Widely touted as one of the country’s most richly decorated pubs, this Grade II listed building is a wonderful example of late Victorian grandeur. The external appearance alone is something to behold - putting the actual Philharmonic Hall over the road to shame. The interior is even more impressive with a multiple room layout which showcases the skills of the architects who designed it. The entrance takes you into a lobby type area with the servery to the left and very few seats. There is a mosaic floor and an intricately carved ceiling, whilst the bar back is decorated with stained glass. The windows and many of the internal partitioning screens have wonderful etched glasswork and to the left of the bar you can admire some colourful tiling in a passageway that leads to a small drinking space at the front of the pub.
To the right of the front door, the pub splits into three, with a corridor leading to a large rear room and doorways either side giving access to smaller rooms titled Brahms and Liszt. These two rooms are carpeted with large armchairs, grand fireplaces with integral mirrors and portraits of the respective composers. Musical motifs in brass can be found throughout and there are further examples of the stained glass work. The larger lounge at the rear has the best selection of seating of all the rooms and includes a few comfy looking sofas. Others have mentioned the gent’s toilets, so I won’t elaborate further other than to say they are well worth a look and far better than I had imagined.
This is a Nicholson’s pub which meant there was a decent range of beer on at the bar including Cropton Top of the Hops, Thwaites Original, Moor Amoor, Sharp’s Doom Bar, Wold Top Dawn of Time, Project Venus Venus Black and Green Jack Excelsior. I gave the Cropton a try but thought the pint was a bit tired and I wasn’t surprised to see that the clip had been turned by the time I left. Service was prompt and the staff were friendly and helpful.
I have to say that this pub’s reputation for its splendour is well deserved and that it has to be an essential port of call on any crawl of Liverpool. Consistent beer quality would be the icing on the cake, but I guess you can’t have it all ways.
On 25th February 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3126 recommendations about 3126 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
This architectural gem suffers slightly from being part of the Nicholsons chain, with its standardised point-of-sale material, menus, etc. but that cannot take too much away from the imposing exterior and richly ornate interior. The service area is a reasonable size, but rather inconveniently placed with respect to the drinking areas and main corridor when the place is busy (meaning that getting served can be a bit of a challenge). However, with a pint in hand you could spend ages looking around and noticing all the different features (followed by the obligatory visit to view the gents toilets...). At least eight handpumps (usual suspects plus a range of seasonal or themed ales). A 'must' for any pub lover visiting Liverpool. (NB - Review dates from August 2011.)
On 29th January 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8149 recommendations about 8149 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Gill Smith left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
Not the first time we have been to this magnificent 2011 Good Beer Guide pub, but didn't clear the gents out of the loo so I could go in to take a photo this time. It was busy but we didn't have long to wait for our excellent Leeds Midnight Bell. It is a pub to wander round certainly, but best done early after opening so you can appreciate the rooms and features. We were happy to join someone at a table and chat this time.
On 6th March 2011
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1339 recommendations about 1222 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
An impressive looking pub both inside and out. Even relaxing over a beer you spot people just popping in for a nose. 8 on tap and staff have a good interest with their real ales. Cains brewery very close to here so enjoyed a few plus some guests. Will return.
On 25th February 2011
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
peter ashworth left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
A former late Victorian gin palace and listed building, adjacent to the Philharmonic Hall.Fabulous looking building from the outside,with the interior probably more so,with Corinthian pillars,magnificent stained glass,and the ornately tiled Gents toilets.After reading ROB'S report about the service fiasco, arrived very early to get served,in fact was first customer.It has a circular hardwood bar offering a large array of real ales.I also noticed a board on display showing the weekly amount of cask beers sold (Last weeks total 2500)Most definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
On 22nd October 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2321 recommendations about 2277 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Philharmonic Dining Rooms
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.
On 8th November 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3277 recommendations about 2983 pubs]