The pub is going against its longstanding tradition
Karaoke at Coopers Townhouse in Liverpool city centre(Image: Iain Watts)
A famous city centre pub is gearing up for one of the largest celebrations in its 100-year history. Cooper’s Townhouse, famed for its lively atmosphere and online karaoke performances, is marking a century since Ada Cooper was granted her licence in January 1925.
To mark the milestone birthday earlier this year, a new plaque commemorating the pub’s legacy has been installed next to the original licensee plaque, commissioned by local artist Emma Rodgers. The plaque was unveiled by Coopers fan Jonny Bongo, founder of Bongo’s Bingo.
So many visitors packed out the venue that staff had to turn customers away at the door. Cooper’s has now confirmed the final events of the year which will mark a “first” for the venue.
The Coopers team have announced an annual Ada’s Day event will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, for a full day of music, fun and laughter in honour of the licensee.
To end the year, for the very first time, Coopers will host their first ever New Year’s Eve party to see out 2025.
Coopers managers Steve Keegan and Maria Azzopardi (centre), proprietor Jonathan Yates (far left), and assistant manager Charlie Azzopardi(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
The venue usually closes at 6pm on New Year’s Eve, but the current licensee, Maria Azzopardi, and the manager, Steve Keegan, want to do something special as part of the centenary celebrations.
Steve will host the festivities and Maria and her team will keep the drinks flowing into the early hours.
Maria said: “It’s been a fantastic year celebrating 100 years since Ada got her license.
“We’ve been humbled by all of the support through 2025, but also since we took the management reigns in 2011 after working behind the bar and seeing how Coopers has grown.
Karaoke at Coopers Townhouse in Liverpool city centre(Image: Iain Watts)
“It’s the people that make Coopers so special and for me this will never change. It’s going to be a very fitting party to bid farewell to 2025 and sing in 2026.”
Ada was 26 when she married John Wilson in 1896, who was then the landlord of what was the Sefton on Cases Street, the name of the venue before Coopers. After getting married the two lived at the pub.
After John died in 1924, Ada remained at the pub and later remarried a Robert Coopper at the start of 1925. Days later, she secured her licence as Ada Cooper on January 16, 1925.
With her final licence endorsement coming at the start of 1929, she wrapped up a 35-year association with the pub.