“On Tuesday, 21st March 1961, The Beatles made their night-time debut at The Cavern, albeit as a support band for The Swinging Bluegenes, who later found chart success after re-spelling their name ‘Blue Jeans’ and dropping the jazz elements of their act.
Three days after that Cavern appearance, The Beatles went back to Hamburg and an unexpected depression settled on Liverpool. The Day before The Beatles left, most of the gang met up for a farewell drink in The Grapes” – Sam Leach in The Rocking City: The Explosive Birth of The Beatles (page 98)
The Grapes, 25 Mathew Street, Liverpool
Half way down Mathew Street, in Liverpool city centre is The Grapes . It is “a popular pub in the heart of Liverpool, offering great drinks with live entertainment and karaoke every week.” according to its own description on its Facebook page.
This pub was a favourite hangout of The Beatles and other bands because the Cavern Club opposite had no bar, so musicians playing there would nip over to The Grapes for a swift half, or two.
Pete Best came here to drown his sorrows on Thursday 16th August 1962. It’s Just a short walk from Brian Epstein’s office in NEMS on Whitechapel, so it was a handy place to grab a pint. This was no doubt so necessary because Pete had just been sacked from The Beatles by Brian. The Beatles’ roadie, Neil Aspinall, who was in a relationship with Pete’s mother, Mona Best, joined him. Neil threatened to resign his position with the band..
Today, “the atmosphere in the Grapes is brilliant, the staff are very friendly, the drinks are very good and cheap. This place is a must if you’re in Liverpool” says one raving fan on its Facebook page.
Check it out yourself next time you’re in Liverpool…
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