The Black Horse & Rainbow reopened on 24 July 2026 at 21-23 Berry Street following a £750,000 restoration by independent operator DGB Hospitality. Spread over three expansive storeys, the venue revives one of Liverpool’s most fondly remembered pub names, combining traditional ground-floor drinking parlours with one of the largest enclosed outdoor beer gardens in the Ropewalks quarter.
What The Black Horse & Rainbow does
The venue is designed as a versatile, multi-space hospitality destination. By day, the ground floor operates as an unhurried, comfortable city pub where patrons drop in for pints, lunch and live sport. By evening and on weekends, trade spreads into the extensive heated outdoor courtyard and first-floor lounge, with live acoustic music, vinyl selections, and late-night weekend trading until 2:00am.
The three storeys: Public bar, garden and roof terrace
The venue is configured across three distinct zones:
- The Ground Floor Pub: Finished with reclaimed timber, leather banquet booths, brass detailing and discreet sports screens positioned for unobstructed viewing of Premier League football and major boxing events.
- The Garden Courtyard: A sheltered open-air courtyard behind the building holding up to 250 guests. The space features stepped timber decking, outdoor heating, festoon canopy lighting and lush perimeter planting.
- The First Floor and Retractable Roof: A dedicated 200-capacity event suite equipped with its own private bar, private restrooms, DJ facilities, and an all-weather terrace with an electric retractable glass roof that opens during summer sunshine.
Draught beers, cocktails and drinks
The bar runs a clean, contemporary draught setup:
- Beers and Lagers: Chilled draught Guinness, continental premium lagers, session pale ales and rotating local craft beers from North West breweries.
- Cocktails and Spritzes: Classic aperitifs, Aperol spritzes, house margaritas, rum punches and craft gin serves.
- Wines and Spirits: Accessible European wines by the glass and bottle, alongside an extensive top-shelf bourbon and Irish whiskey range.
The story behind 21-23 Berry Street
The handsome brick and stone property was built in 1899 as The Masonic Arms. During the 1990s, it achieved legendary status among Liverpool music fans as the original Black Horse and Rainbow, operating its own pioneering microbrewery on the premises and hosting live rock gigs.
The building subsequently traded under various guises, including Trader Jacks, The Metropolitan (home to the iconic upstairs Lemon Lounge club), and cocktail venue Red Door from 2015 until 2024. In early 2026, DGB Hospitality acquired the building, investing three-quarters of a million pounds to strip away modern clutter, expose the original 1899 structural arches, and permanently reinstate the beloved 1990s moniker.
Prices and practical details
Drink pricing reflects central Ropewalks pub standards (checked September 2026):
- Pints of standard draught lager and cider: £4.60 to £5.50
- Pints of craft beer and stout: £5.00 to £6.20
- House cocktails and spritzes: £8.50 to £10.50
- Glasses of wine (175ml): £4.80 to £7.00
Walk-ins are welcomed on the ground floor and in the beer garden without booking. The upstairs suite and retractable roof terrace are available for private party hire, corporate gatherings and wedding receptions. Both cash and contactless cards are accepted throughout the venue.
Around Berry Street and Ropewalks
Berry Street connects Chinatown and the Baltic Triangle directly with Bold Street. The pub sits adjacent to St Luke's Bombed Out Church and is seconds away from Chinatown bakery The Bagelry and the independent shops of Bold Street.
For more local recommendations, read our Ropewalks area guide and our guide to where to eat in Liverpool by area.
