Peter Kavanagh’s, affectionately known as PK’s, sits on the corner of Egerton Street in the Georgian Quarter. Preserving a one-of-a-kind 1929 interior designed by its eccentric former licensee, the pub is celebrated as one of the most remarkable historic public houses in Britain, prioritising conversation, cask beer and character over commercial modernisation.
What Peter Kavanagh’s does
The pub operates as a traditional neighbourhood drinking institution and cultural landmark. Long managed by landlady Rita Smith, who has run the pub since 1992, PK's steadfastly refuses modern pub conventions: there are no electronic gaming machines, no blaring sports televisions, and no generic pop playlists. Instead, the pub provides a relaxed, multi-room sanctuary where university academics, artists, medical workers, neighbourhood regulars and cask ale enthusiasts gather to talk over pints.
The listed 1929 interior and Dickens murals
The building’s Grade II listed interior is listed on CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors. In 1929, landlord Peter Kavanagh transformed the rooms into an eccentric showcase of art and craftsmanship:
- The Pickwick Murals: Painted directly onto the plaster in the front bar by Liverpool artist Eric Robinson, illustrating characters and scenes from Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers.
- The Hogarth Room: The back parlour features murals inspired by the satirical 18th-century engravings of William Hogarth.
- Stained Glass: Bespoke leaded stained-glass windows by Scottish artisan William English incorporating nautical compasses, ships and allegorical crests.
- The Snug and Fireplaces: Distinct timber-partitioned drinking booths warmed by open cast-iron coal fireplaces throughout the winter.
The high ceilings across every room are hung with an astonishing collection of curiosities accumulated across nearly a century: vintage valve radios, old violins, antique clocks, brass bugles, copper bedpans, ship lanterns, and historical framed portraits of Liverpool personalities.
Cask ales, drinks and pub life
The bar features four handpumps dedicated to well-kept independent cask ales, rotating through British breweries such as Salopian, Timothy Taylor's, Oakham, and Merseyside microbreweries. A selection of classic stouts, dark milds, lagers and traditional ciders round out the taps, complemented by single-malt whiskies and spirits.
Unlike modern dining pubs, PK's focuses squarely on drink and social interaction. Food is limited to traditional bar snacks such as pork pies, crisps and nuts. Weekly activities include a popular Tuesday night general knowledge pub quiz, occasional acoustic folk and jazz sessions, and summer gatherings in the walled rear beer courtyard.
Prices and visiting tips
Beer prices are reasonable and unpretentious (checked September 2026):
- Pints of rotating cask ale: £4.20 to £5.00
- Pints of draught stout and craft lager: £4.60 to £5.50
- Bar snacks and savoury pies: £1.50 to £3.50
Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcomed in all rooms. Both cash and card payments are accepted at the bar. While the pub is calm and contemplative during weekday afternoons, it fills up quickly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Around the Georgian Quarter
Egerton Street lies in the heart of Liverpool's Canning residential district. The pub is a five-minute walk from the Anglican Cathedral on St James Mount, the Everyman Theatre on Hope Street, and the Philharmonic Dining Rooms on Hope Street.
To explore more of the neighbourhood, read our Georgian Quarter area guide and our guide to where to eat in Liverpool by area.
