The "Phil" (as it's known to locals and regular visitors is possibly the grandest pub you'll ever set foot in. Outside, the main entrance is guarded by intricate wrought iron gates and above the doorway on polished granite lies the motto "Pacem amo" (I love peace).
Inside it's all mosaic floors and Vistorian tiles in rich shades of green, rust and claret. There is a fantastic horse-shoe shaped bar, behind which are highly ornate mirrors. The chandeliers are something else! Everywhere you look you spot something new, baley twist wooden pillars holding up tables, cut glass decanters gleaming against the mirrored bar, stained glass fanlights.
The toilets are out of this world and have been voted time after time the best public toilets in Britain. The women's toilets, while clean and fresh, are not what you come to see though. It's the gents' toilets with immensely high ceilings, brass fittings, ornate taps and mazing ceramic tiles that are the highlight of this pub.
Ladies -- if you want to see, ask the staff and they will try to let you have a look at a convenient time when there are no customers using them.
The clientele is mixed, but, of course, being so near the Everyman Theatre and The Philharmonic Hall itself, there are a lot of artsy types having a drink pre-performance.
The music isn't too loud and it's a great place to go and spend time chatting with friends.
The beer . . . well it could never match the toilets, but there's a good range of local and non-local beers, the usual spirits and acceptable wine available. Prices aren't too bad for city centre pubs and there's a good choice of standard pub fare (sandwiches, fish and chips, salds, ploughmans, bugers, chilli con carne, jacket potatoes, etc.).
If you find yourself needing the loo in Liverpool, see if you can last out until you get to the Phil!