Lime Street
Picture donated by Dave Wood
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Albert B. Vines
built a pub here in 1869. This building, for the Liverpool brewers
Robert Cain, dates from 1907. The Vines is known to one and all as The
Big House. This exuberantly baroque pub has etched glass windows, a
folly tower and extravagant faux Dutch gables. Inside, in the lounge bar
there is a monumental fireplace in mahogany & beaten copper. In the
Queensbury Room, above the fireplace is a splendid wooden bas-relief
Viking Longboats by Gustave Hiller. Around the walls there are fifteen
plaster relief panels of children engaged in allegorical pursuits. Upon
the ceiling is an oval plaster relief with panels including 12 zodiacal
designs. Pevsner attributes the plaster reliefs to The Bromsgrove Guild.
The Vines was once owned by A. B. Walker who was later to pay for The
Walker Art Gallery. At one time it boasted its own art collection and
this is still reflected in the 'ballroom' at the rear which is often
closed for private functions. The pub, often full of Liverpool
characters, can be quite boisterous later in the evenings and at
weekends but does have several rooms broken by booths and screens. Sources: Pevsner Architectural Guides: Liverpool by Joseph Sharples, Public Sculpture in Liverpool by Terry Cavanagh, Walks Through History: Liverpool by David Lewis & http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/localhistory/journey/lime_street/pubs/pub_index.shtml Alan Maycock © 2007 |