The Cavern Club

The Cavern Club on Mathew Street is the basement venue most closely associated with the early Beatles, who played there nearly 300 times between 1961 and 1963 in central Liverpool, England. The original cellar was demolished in 1973 and the present club was rebuilt close to the original site using many of the original bricks, so it keeps the cramped brick archways and low-ceilinged feel without being the exact room. Live bands play on the main stage every day, usually starting late morning, covering Beatles songs, 1960s pop and rock, and the programme extends into the evening with tribute acts and cover bands. A second room, the Cavern Live Lounge, hosts smaller gigs, and the pub-style bar serves drinks without a table service model. The street outside is the focus of the Mathew Street Quarter, with a statue of John Lennon leaning on a wall, the Wall of Fame listing acts who have played the Cavern, and shops and bars selling memorabilia. Visitors typically stay one to three hours, longer in the evening. Daytime entry has often been free or low cost, while evening and weekend sessions charge a modest fee; the club advises that evening sessions are mostly for adults. Weekday lunchtimes are the best time for space and a view of the stage, while Friday and Saturday evenings give the liveliest atmosphere but long queues and tight crowding. The basement can be hot and loud, so earplugs help if sensitive to sound. Photography is generally allowed in the main areas, though flash may be discouraged during performances. Mathew Street sits within a few minutes' walk of Moorfields and Liverpool Central stations, and combines easily with a walk to the Albert Dock and the Beatles Story. The club also runs special events during the International Beatleweek festival each August, when queues and prices can rise sharply.