The Bridewell

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#16 of 1,849 Restaurants in Liverpool£, Pub

+44 151 707 2372+ Add website

Write a Review

Hours

Sun

12:00 - 0:00

Mon

12:00 - 0:00

Tue

12:00 - 0:00

Wed

12:00 - 0:00

Thu

12:00 - 0:00

Fri

12:00 - 0:00

Sat

12:00 - 0:00

Improve this listing

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

5.0

145 reviews

#16 of 1,849 Restaurants in Liverpool

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Pub

“Fantastic, historical, CAMRA pub which is one of the best in Liverpool.”

“Quirky pub in backstreet”

Bar Scene

“Historic Bar”

“Deservedly has the reputation as one of Liverpool's best city centre pubs”

Location and contact

1 Campbell Square, Liverpool L1 5FB England

+44 151 707 2372

Improve this listing

Is this restaurant wheelchair accessible?

Yes

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

About

An old Victorian prison serving a great range of cask, craft and continental beers. Wide range of gins, rums and European fringe sprints. Unique cells to sit in to drink and a small cosy bar area. Walled courtyard for outside drinking Sky Sports, BT and horse-racing shown. Function room available for hire

PRICE RANGE

£1.00 – £1.00

CUISINES

Pub

Meals

Drinks

FEATURES

Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Dog Friendly

Contribute

Write a review

Upload a photo

Ask a question

We perform checks on reviews.

Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews

Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

5.0

145 reviews

Excellent

134

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

duncandouglas

148 contributions

Refreshing Experience

Nov 2024 • family

Been wanting to find and go to this establishment for awhile . So we visited for 3 days on the run for teatime drinks. So many plus points compared to other bars/pubs. From the moment you enter the staff are ultra friendly. They have a decent array of quality ales and premium lagers on tap and a large selection of other drinks all reasonably priced. Obviously not cheap but you pay for what you get . Main bar area plus prison cells that can accommodate about 8 persons in each cell. Cells have chairs and tables in them so you can socialise with your group in a semi private way . The staff constantly look after their customers with waiter service. It’s so personal it’s refreshing as today’s pubs/bars have lost that art. There’s also a nice outside courtyard with booths and tables which would be nice in the summertime. It’s also accessible for a person in a wheelchair visiting with friends. Just ask at the bar and they will open up a side door to enter. It also has a disabled toilet .

Written 21 November 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paradise54848260943

1 contribution

Quirky pub in backstreet

Apr 2024 • family

What a fabulous quirky pub, spotlessly clean. Helpful friendly staff they come to your table to ask if you need more drinks, very reasonably priced compared to other pubs we went in. Our last night in Liverpool the owner was in he worked along side his staff and did all the same jobs he shook our hands and thanked us for visiting his pub then sent a drink over to our table lovely man. Also they play fantastic music.

Written 20 April 2024

Jamie C

5 contributions

IT WOULD BE CRIMINAL NOT TO TRY THIS BAR

Sept 2022 • couples

The MOST welcoming pub I’ve been to in Liverpool. Bartender dressed in tie and waistcoat made me and my girlfriend feel like VIPs. We had never been before and he was happy for us to order our drinks and brought them too us, telling us to pay later. He gave us a background on all of the gorgeous German beers, both bottle and draught - all of them lovely may I add. The barman even gave us hints and tips of the best ways to drink them etc. Without asking, he brought us crisps, a free tipple of one of his favourite beers… more crisps and another free drink to try!!! I could not fault him or his staff, all super professional and passionate. I will definitely be recommending and I will be definitely going back. Thank you.

Written 9 September 2022

LauraDaveJames

Solihull5234 contributions

Banged Up

Dec 2024 • couples

This popular bar was located a few minutes walk away from the restaurant where we had dinner. It is quite a quirky venue as it used to be a prison and still has the old cells. We enjoyed a drink in a good atmosphere before going back to our hotel.

Written 5 January 2025

Lizzy L

3 contributions

Great service, good beers, good atmosphere

May 2021 • family

We had great service here on a busy, sunny Saturday. The chap who was at the entrance (didn’t catch his name, sorry but he had a waistcoat on) was very good at finding us a seat, even remembering to come and find us when space became available indoors later on. They were really quick to serve as well- about 3 separate servers came to take our drinks order in 10 minutes. Which was great now everything’s table service. Drinks were priced well too- two good quality German beers/ ciders were less than £9. Which for town on a Saturday is obviously very good. We will definitely be back. It was also a much nicer clientele than some of the busy places in town like concert square - everyone was very chilled out and it was a really good atmosphere.

Written 6 June 2021

sophie

3 contributions

Disappointing visit with intimidating staff member

Aug 2022 • couples

My friends and I decided to visit the bridewell on Saturday for a few drinks. We chose there as we have always had such a lovely reception from staff members who are so welcoming. We did have a lovely welcoming this time from a man behind the bar. Unfortunately not all staff members had the same behaviour. One staff member, who seemed older maybe in his 60s or so (I am terrible at guessing ages but around that) was keeping on top of our table, picking up empty glasses and seeing if we were okay for drinks. We also noticed that this same man was having a few drinks on his shift, taking his pints to the table next to us, drinking them and continuing to work which we had absolutely no problem with. We were all for it! However when this then starts to impact how you behave towards customers, then it becomes a problem. There was a comment made about football which I won’t go into detail about but it made us all ask each other “is he pissed?”. He then came to our table picked up our glasses and left. By this point I was wanting another drink and as he left I didn’t want to call him back so decided to go up to the bar and order. I went up and another waiter was standing beside the bar and took note of my order. All of a sudden, the older waiter who was the one looking after our table came up to me and looked very annoyed at me and stated in a very angry tone “EHH I just asked you if you wanted anymore drinks and you said no! So why didn’t you tell me you wanted another drink?!”. It doesn’t sound like much but he was looking rather annoyed at me and when I apologised and said I didn’t want to bother him as he had walked away from the table, he then repeated again “well I asked you and you said no” and he walked away with a scowl on his face looking angry. I felt incredibly intimidated in this moment as he was quite close to my face and I really had no idea how me just going to order my drink at the bar was such an issue. The waiter who then took my order delivered the drinks to my table and I asked him what the older waiters issue was and I noticed that he was having a few drinks so I don’t know if that has impacted his behaviour. The waiter then said “oh that’s just what he’s like” and that he would “have a think” about what just happened. I was so disappointed at the way that I was treated from being spoken to in such an angry tone and feeling so threatened to the staff just saying “oh that’s just him”. In no way was the comment that the older waiter said to me a sarcastic comment as he walked away scowling and shaking his head. We left after we finished our drinks as I felt so uncomfortable after what had happened and incredibly anxious. It’s sad that this happened as we loved the bridewell and always say what a great spot it is but after Saturday I won’t be back.

Written 22 August 2022

Tom

3 contributions

A gem of a place, staff excellent!

Apr 2021 • friends

Visited for the first time today with a mate, staff were extremely accommodating, very friendly and helpful, service was brilliant and prices were great for a place of its quality. Lovely little courtyard and the interior’s fantastic. Food is available to take away from Amalia on the other side of the square, and staff are willing to provide a menu and give you a pointer on this. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting or having a drink in Liverpool.

Written 24 April 2021

dave151076

Liverpool38 contributions

A fantastic, historical, CAMRA Free House Pub.

Apr 2024 • friends

Fantastic, historical, CAMRA pub which is one of the best in Liverpool. My personal favourite. A Free House with many British small brewery and imported continental beers, ales and ciders. A must for gin, whisky and rum lovers plus other speciality spirits. The hospitality is first class from all the staff with an ‘old school’ style. Perfect for gentleman, ladies and mixed groups. All are always welcome. Sports lovers are catered for with Live Sports shown including all the major types of sports. A great place to meet and you’ll probably stay a while.

Written 10 June 2024

Joeyy A

8 contributions

Will be returning!

Feb 2024 • family

Went for drinks early Saturday evening. Unfortunately we were unable to secure a seat indoors, however, we eventually managed to get a seat outside under a heater. Staff were attentive. After arriving at the bar we were quickly served and a guy who I presume was the manager made sure we were served quickly. Have been to Liverpool many times and never heard of this bar. Will happily return with the hope we can obtain a holding cell on our next visit.

Written 28 February 2024

Michael O

Liverpool3 contributions

My favourite pub in the City Centre

Dec 2023 • couples

Me and my partner absolutely love it here. Great selection of drinks in a very unique building. We've been here a few times now and we've found that even when they're very busy, the staff are fantastic. There's few if any pubs in the city you will get the level of service they give.

Written 1 January 2024

Robert Bell

Wallasey6 contributions

Deny yourself parole and stay here!

Dec 2023 • couples

Lock me up! Beerhouse in a former jail, saves time if nothing else. Great small selection of craft beef with some really good ones on rotation. Sit in a former jail cell with your bev and relax in the warm. Music is cool. Nice bit of Charles Dickens and Frankie Goes to Hollywood history, not a collaboration you see often, Oliver Twist says Relax! I bet it's great o a Friday night! Love an alehouse like this. Get lost in the history, former cell mates and be glad the heating is on and the drinks are much better than back it's different. Had a cloudy APA and a Vanilla stout, both lovely.

Written 4 December 2023

IanRo66

Liverpool8 contributions

Great pub, but excellent staff make it special

Nov 2022 • none

The reviews here, rightly, speak of the great beers and a great pub, but my experience of the Bridewell becomes special because of those who work there. From the help Fiona gave me in organising a night out there, Dominic looking after us on the night and the friendliness of all those behind the bar (Danny, Joe and Luke in particular), everyone was magnificent. My group of friends absolutely loved the place. We'll definitely be back very soon! In the meantime, just go and enjoy the Bridewell - and the Denbigh Castle ;-)

Written 5 November 2022

Neil K

Liverpool825078 contributions

Another fantastic visit.

May 2021 • friends

My twin brother Stephen and I decided to drop into The Bridewell Pub as we were wandering around this part of town, a pub I always look forward to visiting none more so than when some of the coronavirus lockdown restrictions were lifted from the 12th of April with outside service only. I love the look of this pub, housed in a former jail ( Bridewell ) that has been beautifully and tastefully restored to be one of the finest real ale pubs in Liverpool, its also an historically important building, Charles Dickens was an honorary constable here in days gone by ,its a wonderful pub,a proper chill out pub. My twin brother Stephen and I were here on a Wednesday afternoon, we track and traced and we were allocated a table in the courtyard, a very pleasant member of the staff took our order of a pale ale each, we chose pale ale's from Lancaster Brewery, these were served in excellent condition, we just kicked back, chilled out and soaked up the great vibe in this busy and popular pub. My pale ale was really good, a crisp, well balanced pale ale with a big hit of hops, very easy to drink, a real ale style both myself and my twin brother Stephen are particularly fond of, it was just so good being out and about again enjoying a quality brew and to be honest socialising again albeit socially distanced. This is a special pub ,its unique and cosy, the staff here are genuinely pleased to see you in their pub, this explains why this pub is always busy. We really enjoyed our pale ale's in here before we moved on and although our visit was only fleeting as on every other visit to here we had a great time. The Bridewell Pub is easy to locate along Argyle Street on Campbell Square. Opening hours are; Monday to Sunday, Midday till Midnight. A wonderful pub ,if your in the area most definitely well worth checking out .

Written 7 May 2021

jacquir99

157 contributions

Hidden gem worth the visit.

May 2024 • solo

Found this hidden gem after checking TA for an interesting bar after visiting some museums. Google maps did send me in the wrong direction but eventually I found it. A short walk from the Albert dock - I wasn’t disappointed! Within a minute of walking through the door - I was warmly welcomed by Luke who offered to bring a drink to wherever I wanted to sit. Interesting seating with the “cells” and would be great with a bunch of friends, but I opted to sit near the bar so I could continue to chat to him and another patron about the bar and its history. There is also a lovely courtyard area when the weather is sunny. Definitely worth a visit and say hi Luke and the other barman whose name escapes me. Both so friendly, shook my hand and thanked me for coming.

Written 7 May 2024

Susie Q

2 contributions

A hidden gem

Aug 2021 • friends

Visited The Bridewell as part of our celebrations for a friend’s 50th birthday. A group of 9, we were seated in the lovely courtyard in some covered seating with heating. The staff were very attentive making sure we had everything we needed and made us feel very welcome. This place really is a hidden gem. It has been wonderfully restored and wandering through the building you have a real sense of the history of this Victorian jail. If you’re coming to Liverpool make sure you find the time to visit this special place.

Written 30 September 2021