CAMPAIGN FOR REAL ALE

MERSEYSIDE - Liverpool, Waterloo, Volunteer Canteen

National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors Part One

45 East Street, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 8QR

Tel: 0151 928 6594

Public Transport: Railway Station: Waterloo

Listed Status: Grade II

View this pub on a local map

The Waterloo Canteen is a Victorian terraced building dating from 1827 and has been used as a pub since 1871. It had a major refurbishment by Higsons Brewery in 1924 since when there have been few structural changes. The right-hand door leads into the public bar which retains its bar counter and bar back from the 1924 refurbishment and also a ‘Higson’s Ales’ decorative etched front window. The public bar counter has a new top and a modern pot shelf with brass columns has been added to it. The main central entrance leads into a fully panelled corridor. The inner door has a decorative etched and frosted window with 'Trade Mark Excellence' and three pigs' heads on it. The short passage before you reach the arched opening has fielded panelled walls. The servery on the right is behind a glazed screen which has a central staff doorway and a low hatch counter each side. Above the hatches are three leaded panels. At the end of the charming lobby are the toilets, all with original doors. One door has a ‘Gents’ etched and frosted panel and another ‘Ladies’ in gold on etched and frosted panel.

Left of the corridor is a wide arch, which looks to be contemporary with the rest and has panelling on the interior. This leads into the snug lounge with fixed bench seating front and rear, and front windows with 'Trade Mark Excellence', 'Higsons', and 'Trade Mark Excellence' etched and frosted glass. In the lounge there is a modern, centrally placed tiled and wood surround fireplace. Both rooms have bookshelves and trophy cabinets, thought to date from the end years of Higson's ownership i.e. 1980s. Until recently there were some bell-pushes in the lounge to attract waiter service, which is still practice today – one of only a handful of pubs still to offer this dying-out aspect of pub life. Nowadays, one sits down in the room and if the bar staff see you they will come and take your order – locals will call out the name of the barman / barmaid, for service, which may not operate between 10pm and 11 pm, particularly on busy days. Statutorily listed in 2010 following a successful application by CAMRA.