As you may know by now, Liverpool is the birthplace of the great Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Star which basically makes this city the “Beatles Capital”. Liverpool saw the dawn of the Beatles’ musical career and has plenty of things Beatles things to do. From Beatles-themed bars to restaurants and hotels, Liverpool has it all. This ultimate guide will allow you to explore the best of them all.
Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hamburg_c
The Beatles Story
First-stop is at Albert Dock, the Beatles Story is a museum where you can get in touch with the very beginning of the band's history, starting in the late 1950s. A large amount of exhibition space is dedicated exclusively to the band. You’ll start your adventure with an audio guide narrated by Paul McCartney, where you’ll discover how he first met John Lennon. Then you’ll hear the audio by Julia Lennon, who shares the “Living History” of the band. You'll follow the Beatles in their hometown, to Germany and the Star Club, back to Liverpool in the famous Cavern Club, and more. Be sure to check out the FAB4STORE-1 with a multitude of souvenirs and merchandise for you and your family, and even see some of the band's original instruments.
Address: Britannia Vaults Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4AD, United Kingdom
Beatles Statues
Get that perfect picture next to your heroes with these larger than life statues of members of the Beatles. The statues are located right in front of the Liver Building on the Waterfront. You can tick-off one of Liverpool’s popular attractions while you pose with the fabulous four. Take a moment to look at each statue, you’ll notice that each member of the band has a unique detail. See if you can spot the camera that Paul McCartney carries on his back or figure out what size shoe Ringo Star is. You’ll also notice that George Harrison has Sanskrit written on his belt and that John Lennon is holding two acorns that signify the ones Yoko Ono and him planted in the garden of Coventry Cathedral in 1968 as their wish for world peace.
Address: Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1BY, United Kingdom
The Cavern Club
Take time to explore where it all started. The Beatles made their first appearance at The Cavern Club after returning to Liverpool from playing at the Indra and the Kaiserkeller clubs in Hamburg. There and then, on Tuesday, 9 February 1961, they were signed up as the club's resident lunchtime group. During the week the club became more and more popular with crowds forming all down the road to see the band. From 1961 to 1963, the Beatles made almost 300 appearances at the club. By the summer of 1963, "Beatlemania" was sprouting across the country and The Cavern Club could no longer satisfy audience demand. So on 3 August 1963, the Beatles made their final appearance at The Cavern. Today the live music is still brilliant, and the door charge of £2.50 per person afternoon is not much to pay for such a historic place.
Address: 10 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE, United Kingdom
Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Beatles_L
Liverpool Beatles Museum
Next stop, the Liverpool Beatles Museum. The museum is housed in a Victorian building on Matthew street and is conveniently just down the road from The Cavern Club. The museum collection features over 300 pieces of rare and authentic Beatles memorabilia that tell the story of an incredible journey through The Beatles’ early days in Liverpool and Hamburg to their rise to worldwide fame and the innovative studio years! You’ll be able to see George Harrison's Futurama guitar (used on their first shows and recording sessions), Beatles drum kits, and the earliest ever color footage of the Beatles performing. Browse through personal letters, the original police log documenting the security arrangements for the Ed Sullivan Show, original seats from Shea Stadium, props from music videos and so much more never before seen memorabilia.
Address: Authentic Beatles Museum, 23 Mathew St, Liverpool L2 6RE, United Kingdom
Photo credit: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eleanor_R
Statue of Eleanor Rigby
Another great place to pose for that insta-worthy photo is the Statue of Eleanor Rigby. The statue is a couple of blocks from the Cavern Club on Mathew Street and can be found on the pavement of Stanley Street. You’ll find a sculpture of a woman, wearing a head scarf and holding a hand bag, on a bench with a space for you to sit next to it. The statue was created by by British entertainer Tommy Steele and dedicated to “all the lonely people” of Liverpool. The statue is also a tribute to the Beatles’ 1966 No.1 hit song in the UK ‘Eleanor Rigby’. The title character of the song is portrayed as a melancholy soul, reflected in her solitary, bedraggled appearance in Steele’s sculpture.
The Jacaranda
The last spot on this ultimate self-guided Beatles tour in Liverpool is The Jacaranda. This popular music bar was founded by the Beatles’ first manager, Allan Williams. The Jacaranda – or simply Jac – has been an important part of the Liverpool music scene since 1958. This bar is where the band used to rehearse, play and hang out when they were called The Silver Beetles.
As soon as the four met Allan Williams, they nagged him for a chance to play at the venue. Allan agreed with one condition: they must paint the place. They did, and the band started rehearsing in the basement. Without those hours of rehearsal time, it is unlikely they would have become the stars we know today. After a dozen or so performances at Jacaranda, for which they were paid with free drinks, Allan became their manager and booked their first Hamburg tour. Jac is also home to a 1948 voice-o-graph machine that records a track directly to vinyl; one of only two in the world open to the public!
Address: 21-23 Slater St, Liverpool L1 4BW, United Kingdom
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