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Philharmonic Dining Rooms (Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers))
| Beer (sort) | Average Score (sort) | No. Samples (sort) |
|---|---|---|
| Downton - Chocolate Orange Delight |  | 1 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) |  | 1 |
| Inveralmond - Ossian's Ale | | 1 |
| Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold | | 3 |
| Moorhouse's - Black Cat Mild |  | 1 |
| Oakham - Citra | | 1 |
| Old Mill - Blonde Bombshell |  | 1 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | | 1 |
| WharfeBank - Verbeia Pale Ale (VPA) | | 1 |
| XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark Roast | | 1 |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship | Not Tried | 0 |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPA | Not Tried | 0 |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Brains - The Rev James Original | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cains - Finest Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cairngorm - Black Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Caledonian - Autumn Red | Not Tried | 0 |
| Cropton (see also Great Yorkshire) - Hawaii 340 | Not Tried | 0 |
| Durham - White Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Xingu | Not Tried | 0 |
| Exmoor - Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | Not Tried | 0 |
| Great Heck - Angel | Not Tried | 0 |
| Great Yorkshire (see also Cropton) - Hadley's Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted | Not Tried | 0 |
| Harviestoun - Old Engine Oil | Not Tried | 0 |
| Highgate - Davenport's Thin Ice | Not Tried | 0 |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | Not Tried | 0 |
| Itchen Valley - Junga | Not Tried | 0 |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| Marston's - Pedigree | Not Tried | 0 |
| Mordue - Northumbrian Blonde | Not Tried | 0 |
| Robinsons - South Island | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Lavender Hill (originally exclusively for Nicholson's) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | Not Tried | 0 |
| Shepherd Neame - Early Bird | Not Tried | 0 |
| St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale | Not Tried | 0 |
| St Austell - Tribute | Not Tried | 0 |
| Strathaven - Summer Glow | Not Tried | 0 |
| Sunny Republic - Hop Dog | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Pica Pica | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thwaites - Nutty Black | Not Tried | 0 |
| Thwaites (brewed at Banks's) - Wainwright (please now use the Banks's entry) | Not Tried | 0 |
| Wold Top - Against the Grain | Not Tried | 0 |
| Woodforde's - Norfolk Champion | Not Tried | 0 |
| Woodforde's - Norfolk Gold | Not Tried | 0 |
| Woodforde's - Norfolk Hawker | Not Tried | 0 |
Visits Details
18 Sep 2023 (Jack William)
Evening visit. This was top of my wish list for Liverpool heritage pubs. Didn’t disappoint- except for the bartender who seemed unaware and disinterested in the grandeur of this place. Vast but not too busy - nearly as impressive as The Vines. The urinals are to write home about - so I did.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakham - Citra | 4.20 | | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Tribute | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Adnams - Ghost Ship | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried |
03 Jul 2015 (ChrisE)
Second pub on a three counties tour, we were here at about 11:00 so we had plenty of time to explore the wonderful architecture of this place before heading off to the Mersey Ferry.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold | 4.20 | | |
| Marston's - Pedigree | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Sharp's - Doom Bar | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Brains - The Rev James Original | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Thwaites (brewed at Banks's) - Wainwright (please now use the Banks's entry) | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Woodforde's - Norfolk Champion | 4.20 | Not Tried |
29 Aug 2014 (HSB)
14:15 Third stop on our Heritage crawl. We had a good wander round, all rooms were busy. The fireplace snug in front of the main bar was occupied by a miniature beer festival. Shame that the front bar was altered in 2004, it now seems a little stark compared to the rest of the pub.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold | 4.20 | | Rather tired. |
| Exmoor - Ale | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Black Sheep - Best Bitter | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Caledonian - Autumn Red | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter | 4.90 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Sambrook's - Lavender Hill (originally exclusively for Nicholson's) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Sunny Republic - Hop Dog | 5.50 | Not Tried | |
| Woodforde's - Norfolk Hawker | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Robinsons - South Island | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Wold Top - Against the Grain | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Great Yorkshire (see also Cropton) - Hadley's Blonde | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Xingu | 4.00 | Not Tried |
26 Feb 2013 (Mick)
A scattering of drinkers, food now served upstairs.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inveralmond - Ossian's Ale | 4.10 | | Pale copper, OK pint. |
| Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter | 4.60 | Not Tried | |
| Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried | |
| Harviestoun - Old Engine Oil | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Woodforde's - Norfolk Gold | 4.30 | Not Tried |
13 Nov 2012 (Alenomore)
15:30 visit. Affectionately called the Phil, a real gem of a grand old classic type, in every sense of the word. If you're a local, you're truly blessed to be able to have this on your doorstep! I walked all around and just admired everything about the place. Ladies can also visit the gents, using discretion! to admire the ornate, marble tiled facilities. A place to spend some quality time, alas, not today. Some top class ales on too. A current 2013 gbg entry and 9 times previous in 2003-6/8-12.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downton - Chocolate Orange Delight | 5.80 | | Superb. Just as I like em'. |
| WharfeBank - Verbeia Pale Ale (VPA) | 3.60 | | Top condition. |
| Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold | 4.20 | | Spot on again. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Durham - White Gold | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Mordue - Northumbrian Blonde | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Itchen Valley - Junga | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| Great Heck - Angel | 3.90 | Not Tried |
18 Aug 2012 (Stephen Harris)
It is a very long time since I was last in here and Nicholson’s have moved the pub substantially upmarket whilst respectfully maintaining the beautiful decor. The pub is full of people taking photographs – myself included.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark Roast | 4.50 | | Really good, yummy, chocolaty, dark beer. |
| Hop Back - Summer Lightning | 5.00 | Not Tried | |
| Strathaven - Summer Glow | 3.90 | Not Tried | |
| St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Cropton (see also Great Yorkshire) - Hawaii 340 | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold | 4.20 | Not Tried |
04 Jan 2012 (Mick)
Quite busy, in need of food now and this seemed the place. Had an interesting chat with two guys from Texas about beer, country music and guns, very good evening, and the beer was good too.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur | 5.90 | | In peak condition, super hops and citrus, wonderful finish. |
| Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride | 4.10 | Not Tried | |
| Cairngorm - Black Gold | 4.40 | Not Tried | |
| Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Pica Pica | 4.50 | Not Tried |
26 Feb 2010 (Ian)
Fantastic interior, but the rear room was being used for filming an interview so I couldn't sit in my favourite room. Great service, even though there were 8 beers on, the barman changed the beer I wanted. A must for anyone in Liverpool for a pub crawl.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Mill - Blonde Bombshell | 4.00 | | Hazy gold, lasting off white head. Freshly on and pulled through. It's fine, some wheat I guess in this. No off/bad flavours, reminds me of a muted wit beer, some hop sting on finish, some lemon. |
| Cains - Finest Bitter | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPA | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale | 4.00 | Not Tried | |
| Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted | 3.80 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Thwaites - Nutty Black | 3.30 | Not Tried | |
| Highgate - Davenport's Thin Ice | 4.00 | Not Tried |
23 Mar 2007 (Ian)
The Grand Lounge at the rear is now reopened with full glory of the restored gold leaf, plasterwork statues, wood panelling, leather sofas and club chairs. Stunning Victorian interior.
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhouse's - Black Cat Mild | 3.40 | | Superb. Smooth roasted malt, very choccy. Bit of charcoal. Rounded and beautiful. Toastiness on finish is fantastic. Just behind the Wapping mild in the mild stakes. |
| Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version) | 4.50 | Not Tried | |
| Shepherd Neame - Early Bird | 4.30 | Not Tried | |
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special) | 4.50 | Not Tried |
18 Jan 2006 (Ian)
9 handpumps on the bar, but only 2 beers on. Early lunchtime which gave me a chance to take in the ceilings, bar, Brahms and Liszt rooms as well as the rear Dining Room, all of which boast touches of Victorian architecture. Supberb place and worth coming in just to have a look
| Beer | ABV | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version) | 4.30 | | Good malt base for green hops to dance over |
| Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%) | 3.40 | Not Tried |
About the Philharmonic Dining Rooms
Summary of Beer Scores
| Total | |
|---|---|
| 2 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 2 |
 | - |
The pub is found in Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 9BX.
Classic Victorian pub sited on the corner opposite the Philharmonic Hall on Hope Street. World renowned now for its marvellous interior, especially the gents toilets. Lots of mosaic tiling, marble, dark wood panelling cornices and brass freizes. Large eagle looks down over a horseshoe shaped bar.
We have visited this pub 10 times, seen 52 different beers and tried 10 of them.
Postcode: L1 9BX