It’s “the oldest” pub on the popular street
Regulars and licensee Mrs Ruth Heague at the Masonic Pub in Lark Lane after it was named Pub of the Year. Looking on are ECHO editor Chris Oakley (left) and DJ Billy Butler who helped judge the competition as Mrs Heague holds the ECHO trophy which was presented to her. October 15, 1985(Image: Mirrorpix)
A historic south Liverpool pub is set to reopen next month under new ownership – going back to its original name. Earlier today, the Liverpool ECHO reported how The Lodge on Lark Lane is about to get a fresh new look after new management took over the venue.
But when its doors reopen to welcome customers in August 2025, it will be named The Masonic Arms, in a nod to the building’s history. Generations will remember The Albert and The Masonic for a long time were the only drinking places on the lane, until Keith’s Wine Bar opened in 1979.
The Albert is still a popular pub under the same name, but the site of The Masonic has experienced much change in over a century, the Liverpool ECHO previously reported. Now, the new owners are calling the pub ‘the oldest on Lark Lane’ and say the venue will be ‘reborn’ when it opens to customers next month.
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The pub is now operated by 1936 Pubco, which is the group behind Liverpool venues including The Vines, The Monro and The Red Lion, as well as Lark Lane’s Old School House, Green Man and Bookbinder. Here, we take another look back at life at the historic Lark Lane pub.
Newspaper reports show a pub called The Masonic Hotel, near The Albert, in operation in the 1800s on Lark Lane. And whilst it was known name on the Lane, the original pub also was once partially used for an entirely different purpose.
Tracy Murphy (right), the licensee at the Masonic Pub in Lark Lane, proudly displays her certificate confirming her acceptance as a member of the Guild of Master Cellarmen. May 24, 1991(Image: Mirrorpix)
On August 9, 1888, the Liverpool Mercury reported how an inquest had been held before the deputy county coroner at the Masonic Hotel, Lark Lane, into the death of Gerald Wheelan, aged 13. Whelan had drowned while fishing near the Nelson Dock gates and his body was found at St Michael’s beach, before being removed to the Masonic Hotel.
The report reads: “After returning the verdict, the foreman of the jury expressed his surprise that through the want of a mortuary it became necessary to bring decomposed bodies to a public house. The want of a mortuary was felt very badly, especially in that district, where bodies were frequently found on the banks of the river.”
Reports suggest the original Masonic Hotel was on the same site of the The Masonic known to more recent generations and in later decades, The Masonic pub as we came to know it was still one of the only pubs on Lark Lane. Welcoming generations of the same family, most residents in the area would visit the pub for a pint, as well as neighbouring pub The Albert and know it experienced much change after many years in business.
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In the 1980s, the south Liverpool watering hole also scooped the prestigious ECHO Pub of the Year award. On August 15, the ECHO reported how delighted landlady Ruth Heague and her husband Freddy were with the announcement.
At the time, Ruth said: “I am very proud. Being voted best, considering the reputation and standard of Merseyside pubs, is a great honour. It has been a great team effort. The staff are brilliant, they really are special, the customers are great fun – and the beer is not bad either.”
An image from our archives, Mirrorpix, shows the night of celebrations for regulars and licensee Mrs Ruth Heague at the Masonic after it was named Pub of the Year. Looking on are Echo editor Chris Oakley and DJ Billy Butler who helped judge the competition, as Mrs Heague holds the ECHO trophy which was presented to her.
The Masonic Pub, Lark Lane(Image: Trinity Mirror Copyright)
Another image shows Tracy Murphy, the licensee at the Masonic in May 1991, proudly displaying her certificate confirming her acceptance as a a member of the Guild of Master Cellarmen. In later years customers will remember The Masonic’s bold green and cream exterior.
But by the 2000s, the site was regenerated into a trendy new drinking spot by the Korova Group and became known as Negresco. Uniquely decorated, the outside of the site was painted charcoal, before it closed in July 2009.
Most recently, the pub has been known as The Lodge – but last month, the owners announced the closure of the venue. Posting on their social media pages, The Lodge’s owners said: “A happy ending and a new beginning. From today the Lodge closes for an extensive refurbishment and reopening under new ownership.
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“The departing staff and owners want to thank all our friends on the Lane and beyond who over the years have made the stewardship of this famous old pub so special. We are excited about what the future holds for 32-34 Lark Lane and can’t wait to see the exciting plans of the new ownership team come to fruition.
“See you at the bar! Thanks and bye for now.” Today, July 9, it was reported that the historic pub was to reopen under new ownership, but as The Masonic Arms, in a nod to the building’s history.
Negresco on Lark Lane, back in the 00s(Image: Google Streetview)
In a post shared on social media, the new owners said: “Introducing ‘The Masonic Arms’, our latest pub restoration project, this time of the former ‘Lodge’ boozer on Lark Lane. The pub was originally known as The Masonic when it first opened in the 1880s, and was the Lane’s first drinking venue.
“As those that follow our projects will be unsurprised to learn, our aim is to provide the all new/old Masonic with an interior with as authentic a look and feel as it will have enjoyed in its late 19th C heyday.
“On offer, besides a walk back in time, will be a large selection of mainly local cask ales and pies. And yes we’ll be showing the footy and you can of course bring your pooches in after their walks round the park.”