Review

A sign outside The Grapes says this 'is the only traditional pub in Mathew Street', which is technically true, although it overlooks the several 'traditional' pubs just around the corner. Mathew Street is now a hotbed of trendy wine bars, late-licenced bars and clubs, so The Grapes' deep-rooted styling and frontage is welcoming and conspicuous.

Famous throughout the World thanks to its location in the heart of the burgeoning music scene of 1960s Liverpool, the pub was recently renamed The Famous Grapes, yet locals protested and had the 'famous' appendage removed. The Grapes was also temporarily renamed to The Beautiful South, as a promotional campaign for the band of the same name.

It is highly unusual for a street as famous as Mathew Street to contain a modern electric substation, a relatively new addition that occupies a large plot of land opposite The Grapes. The original façade of The Grapes, as would have been recognisable in the 1960s, has given way to airy doors that open onto the street, allowing an unimpeded view of the substation. The Grapes is larger than it used to be, yet is still split into discrete areas around the small, central bar.

The walls are a mixture of modern wood panelling with mirrors and cream walls (to match the cream chairs). Bric-a-brac is minimal with small clocks and barometers on a wooden column and a collection of ceramic pots above the tiled fireplace. Sadly the quotes and notices painted on the walls make-up for the lack of tat. The first quote seen when entering The Grapes is 'No hawkers of goods on these premises', which won't discourage Liverpool's 'fell off the back of as lorry' salesmen who ignore the domed-cameras everywhere. Near the warning that 'Customers with Urgent Orders will be executed immediately' is the mystery 'i.t.i.y.b.m.a.p.' Apart from the quotes, the walls contain pictures of ships, trains, lighthouses and other engineering landmarks. Liverpool's heritage is demonstrated with photographs of its most famous sons and daughters, celebrities such as Kenny Everett and his ilk.

Predictably it's Paul McCartney's Greatest Hits that provide the music. Amusingly the CD gets stuck and jumps to create unique rap and remix versions of Mull of Kintyre and the Frog Chorus!

Review by mr_psm