Many people have fond memories at the building either dancing, eating or drinking
The Dog & Collar pub on Hope Street. (Pic Andrew Teebay).
A new Georgian Quarter pub was once home to one of the oldest clubs in the city centre. The Dog & Collar Pub now occupies 60 Hope Street, and was opened in March by the team behind Duke Street’s PINS Social Club.
The pub underwent a huge renovation to turn the venue into a cosy and traditional pub. However, the building, which is Grade II listed, first opened in 1898 as the Conservative Working Men’s Club.
In 1935, it became a chauffeurs’ club where drivers could wait for their wealthy masters. In later years, the site became a taxi drivers’ club and went on to see customers from all walks of life pass through its doors.
Known to generations as Chauffeurs nightclub, many nights were spent at the Hope Street venue. In its time, Chauffeurs was also home to a thriving Latin dance scene.
Many former customers will remember the staff and previous owners through the years, such as the late Charlie Scott and the club’s final owner, Ken Hanley. But after decades in business, it was announced in September 1998 that Chauffeurs would close its doors for good at the end of that month.
At the time, it was reported that the changing club scene and influx of late-night bars had influenced the decision, and that owner Mr Hanley was retiring after 16 years. The club previously had a membership list of 500, but this dwindled to 120 or 130 in its final two years in business.
At the time, Mr Hanley said: “Trends have changed, and with the advent of all-day opening and late licences we cannot compete any more. This kind of club is no longer commercially viable.”
Ken Hanley outside Chauffeurs club on Hope Street, Liverpool city centre(Image: TRINITY MIRROR/REACH CONTENT ARCHIVE)
Mr Hanley, who died in 1999, added: “The club has always attracted the over-25s and people from all walks of life came here. We were the first in the city to hold weekly Latin dance nights.
“But in the last couple of years there have been maybe 40 or 50 places listed till 2am and they are not paying the sort of licence fees we are paying as a club. I feel sad because Chauffeurs has been part of my life for the past 16 years and we have never had problems to speak of. It has always been a pleasure to be here.”
A year after Chauffeurs closed, the site was transformed into a new restaurant. In July 1999, the ECHO reported how 60 Hope Street, opened by the Manning brothers, was already “one of the places to eat in Liverpool.”
The article reads: “Former visitors to the Chauffeurs club will not recognise the interior which has been transformed into a contemporary relaxing restaurant. Downstairs is a relaxing café bar where people can drop in for a quick drink and everything from just a plate of chips to a full meal.”
For years, customers headed to 60 Hope Street. Many will also remember the beautiful doorway designs of the restaurant through the seasons, which often became an Instagram opportunity.
But in May 2021, owners Gary Manning, along with brother Colin, took the decision to close the restaurant for good after 22 years.
Colin Manning from 60 Hope Street Restaurant, Liverpool City Centre
In an emotional final farewell message to customers, the Mannings said: “1999 St George’s Day, we opened the doors of 60 Hope Street with amazing support from family and friends. Over the past 22 years, it has taken us on the most incredible journey.
”We had so many highs and have been privileged to work with some amazing people. Back in 2008, we were proud to be at the heart of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture and the renaissance of our amazing city.
“We would like to thank everyone who made it happen, blessed by the most loyal support from all our customers, some who have become dear friends. As we close the doors of 60 for good, the next chapter begins. See you all again very soon.”
After this closure, the building then became Turkish restaurant Elite 60 before being turned into Liu Shi, a restaurant serving a range of flavours from all over Asia, including Thailand, Korea, China and Japan. However, the restaurant closed its doors just months after opening in August 2024.
However, the iconic building is now home to The Dog & Collar Pub. The bosses behind the pub said it aimed to offer customers an “elevated dining experience” inside a first floor dining room. The top floor of the building acts as a taproom while the basement of the historic building acts as a ‘tavern’, with the interiors of each floor inspired by the owners’ travels to various pubs in London, Cheshire and New York.
The pub’s name is a nod to the building’s proximity to the city’s Anglican and Catholic cathedrals, located at either end of Hope Street.