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Philharmonic Dining Rooms (Nicholson's (Mitchells & Butlers))

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Downton - Chocolate Orange DelightExceptional1
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - JaipurExceptional1
XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark RoastExcellent1
WharfeBank - Verbeia Pale Ale (VPA)Excellent1
Moorhouse's - Black Cat MildExcellent1
Oakham - CitraGood1
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)Good1
Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat GoldGood3
Inveralmond - Ossian's AleGood1
Old Mill - Blonde BombshellAcceptable1
Hop Back - Summer LightningNot Tried0
Sunny Republic - Hop DogNot Tried0
Strathaven - Summer GlowNot Tried0
Woodforde's - Norfolk HawkerNot Tried0
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale AleNot Tried0
Robinsons - South IslandNot Tried0
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)Not Tried0
Cropton (see also Great Yorkshire) - Hawaii 340Not Tried0
Wold Top - Against the GrainNot Tried0
Batemans - XXXB (now superseded by 4.8% version)Not Tried0
Durham - White GoldNot Tried0
Great Yorkshire (see also Cropton) - Hadley's BlondeNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Early BirdNot Tried0
Mordue - Northumbrian BlondeNot Tried0
Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - XinguNot Tried0
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)Not Tried0
Itchen Valley - JungaNot Tried0
Marston's - PedigreeNot Tried0
Cains - Finest BitterNot Tried0
Great Heck - AngelNot Tried0
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPANot Tried0
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best BitterNot Tried0
Brains - The Rev James OriginalNot Tried0
Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland AleNot Tried0
Harviestoun - Old Engine OilNot Tried0
Thwaites (brewed at Banks's) - Wainwright (please now use the Banks's entry)Not Tried0
Harviestoun - Bitter & TwistedNot Tried0
Woodforde's - Norfolk GoldNot Tried0
Woodforde's - Norfolk ChampionNot Tried0
Thwaites - Nutty BlackNot Tried0
Exmoor - AleNot Tried0
St Austell - TributeNot Tried0
Highgate - Davenport's Thin IceNot Tried0
Black Sheep - Best BitterNot Tried0
Adnams - Ghost ShipNot Tried0
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London PrideNot Tried0
Caledonian - Autumn RedNot Tried0
Cairngorm - Black GoldNot Tried0
Sambrook's - Powerhouse PorterNot Tried0
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Pica PicaNot Tried0
Sambrook's - Lavender Hill (originally exclusively for Nicholson's)Not Tried0
Picture 1. Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool, Merseyside
Picture 2. Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool, Merseyside
Picture 3. Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool, Merseyside

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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Oakham - Citra4.20Good
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
St Austell - Tribute4.20Not Tried
Adnams - Ghost Ship4.50Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold4.20Good
Marston's - Pedigree4.50Not Tried
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
Brains - The Rev James Original4.50Not Tried
Thwaites (brewed at Banks's) - Wainwright (please now use the Banks's entry)4.10Not Tried
Woodforde's - Norfolk Champion4.20Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold4.20AcceptableRather tired.
Exmoor - Ale3.80Not Tried
Black Sheep - Best Bitter3.80Not Tried
Caledonian - Autumn Red4.40Not Tried
Sambrook's - Powerhouse Porter4.90Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Sambrook's - Lavender Hill (originally exclusively for Nicholson's)4.50Not Tried
Sunny Republic - Hop Dog5.50Not Tried
Woodforde's - Norfolk Hawker4.40Not Tried
Robinsons - South Island4.20Not Tried
Wold Top - Against the Grain4.50Not Tried
Great Yorkshire (see also Cropton) - Hadley's Blonde4.00Not Tried
Everards (see entries against Joule's & Robinsons whilst its new brewery was being built) - Xingu4.00Not Tried
26 Feb 2013 (Mick)
A scattering of drinkers, food now served upstairs.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Inveralmond - Ossian's Ale4.10GoodPale copper, OK pint.
Green Jack - Trawlerboys Best Bitter4.60Not Tried
Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold4.20Not Tried
Harviestoun - Old Engine Oil4.50Not Tried
Woodforde's - Norfolk Gold4.30Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Downton - Chocolate Orange Delight5.80ExceptionalSuperb. Just as I like em'.
WharfeBank - Verbeia Pale Ale (VPA)3.60ExcellentTop condition.
Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold4.20ExcellentSpot on again.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Durham - White Gold4.00Not Tried
Mordue - Northumbrian Blonde4.00Not Tried
Itchen Valley - Junga3.90Not Tried
Great Heck - Angel3.90Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
XT Brewing - No. 8 Dark Roast4.50ExcellentReally good, yummy, chocolaty, dark beer.
Hop Back - Summer Lightning5.00Not Tried
Strathaven - Summer Glow3.90Not Tried
St Austell - Nicholson's Pale Ale4.00Not Tried
Cropton (see also Great Yorkshire) - Hawaii 3404.50Not Tried
Liverpool Organic - 24 Carat Gold4.20Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Jaipur5.90ExceptionalIn peak condition, super hops and citrus, wonderful finish.
Fuller's (part of Asahi Europe) - London Pride4.10Not Tried
Cairngorm - Black Gold4.40Not Tried
Thornbridge / Thornbridge Hall - Pica Pica4.50Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Old Mill - Blonde Bombshell4.00AcceptableHazy 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 Bitter4.00Not Tried
Belhaven - Caledonian Deuchars IPA3.80Not Tried
Jennings (since closure now brewed at Marston's) - Cumberland Ale4.00Not Tried
Harviestoun - Bitter & Twisted3.80Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)4.30Not Tried
Thwaites - Nutty Black3.30Not Tried
Highgate - Davenport's Thin Ice4.00Not 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.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Moorhouse's - Black Cat Mild3.40ExcellentSuperb. 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)4.50Not Tried
Shepherd Neame - Early Bird4.30Not Tried
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Young's London Special (was Special)4.50Not 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
BeerABVScoreNotes
Eagle (formerly Wells & Young's, formerly Charles Wells, formerly Wells) - Wells Bombardier (now superseded by 4.1% version)4.30GoodGood malt base for green hops to dance over
Greene King - IPA (was 3.6%)3.40Not Tried

About the Philharmonic Dining Rooms

The pub sign. Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool, Merseyside

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional2
Excellent4
Good4
Acceptable2
Poor-

Website.

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.

Map location

Postcode: L1 9BX