Our Story

A Grade ll listed Police ‘bridewell’ that dates from the mid 19th. Century, lovingly converted into a pub, with the cells now used as seating areas that provide an unusual focus for the downstairs bar, with original heavy doors and hatches to help send you back in time.

Taken over by well known and respected Liverpool licencees Fiona and Dominic in June 2019. The pub stocks Cask beers including one local beer and a range of craft keg and continental beers on sale. There is an outdoor patio area inside the walls of this historic Liverpool gem. The Bridewell is situated close to the Liverpool One shopping area, the Albert Dock and the riverfront.

The Bridewell - Argyle Street bridewell and fire station was built in the 1840’s at a cost of £2675 and was mainly used as a lock up, playing host to over refreshed and excitable seamen and dockers, there were 7 cells which housed over 100 “guests” each month, bread was free as was the floor - if you required use of a bed or better food then these would have to be paid for.

Charles Dickens was sworn in as a special constable for one night only in 1860 whilst researching his novel “The Uncommercial Traveller”

The Building ceased to be used as a prison in 1932 but was brought back to life during the second world war by the US military - rumours of German POW and conscientious objectors - but as these activities were shrouded in mystery for fear of letting the enemy discover, any evidence has been lost in the passages of time.

The Police Sergeant lived upstairs in what is now our function room.

A nightly bucket of Guinness was supplied to The Bridewell patrol from the Guinness boats that were tied up at the nearby Salthouse Docks, and there are tales of staff from the nearby Guinness bottling factory on Norfolk Street bringing buckets of Guinness to encourage the Sergeant to let their friends and family out.

Seemingly the building was forgotten about, and became derelict - it was brought back to life in the 1980’s when it was used as a rehearsal space for many local Liverpool bands including Frankie goes to Hollywood - most of Welcome to the Pleasuredome was written in here.

Early 2000 - Tv producer Colin Mckeown purchased the building and rescued it, he invested in bringing it back to life as a unique bar & restaurant.

In 2019 when we purchased the business we decided to concentrate on a wet led business only, we do however have fantastic neighbours in Amalia, the Italian restaurant opposite where we are happy for our customers to bring in takeaway food.