The Shandon Bells seeks to recreate the setting and atmosphere of Ireland’s Cork pubs in Liverpool
The Shandon Bells pub on Hope Street (Image: The 1936 Pubco)
A mid-century ‘flat-roof’ style pub is gearing up to open on the ground floor of Federation House on Hope Street. Nestled in the heart of Liverpool’s historic Georgian Quarter, the pub, which is a part of the 1936 Pubco, will open its doors in January 2026.
The Shandon Bells seeks to recreate the setting and atmosphere of Ireland’s Cork pubs in Liverpool. With regular performances of Irish traditional music and a curated playlist, the team hope to capture the spirit of a local flat roof pub, inside a 1960s concrete construction on Hope Street.
There will be Guinness, Murphy’s and Beamish on tap as well as toasties and Irish favourite Tayto, with five local casks that will rotate regularly.
Head of marketing, communications and business development for 1936 Pubco, Emilia Bona, said: “We’re all hugely excited about The Shandon Bells. Our mission over the last few years has been to ‘re-wild’ Liverpool’s pub scene by reviving some of its sadly decimated stock.
The Shandon Bells pub on Hope Street (Image: The 1936 Pubco)
“We feel very fortunate to play a part in the ongoing revival of Liverpool’s pub scene and to be launching a beautiful new boozer at a time when pubs across the country are closing every week. Liverpool is well on its way to becoming the best city in Britain for pub lovers, and we’re made up to be playing a part in that.
“The Shandon Bells will be a new pub with an old soul, dreamt up by the team that brought The Vines back to life, conserved St Peter’s Tavern and restored The Monro.”
Their recent restoration projects have been recognised by Historic England and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for conserving treasured Liverpool pubs.
The Shandon Bells pub on Hope Street (Image: The 1936 Pubco)
Last year, 1936 Pubco won the Historic England Conservation Award at the CAMRA Pub Design Awards for its exceptional restoration of The Vines. The pub group painstakingly restored the Lime Street pub’s iconic Edwardian interior, including original tiling, stained glass and plasterwork to bring the Grade II* Listed gin palace back to life.
The judges were said to be incredibly impressed with the high quality of the restoration, which has brought the building back to life as a “spectacular example of historic pub design and craftsmanship.”
CAMRA’s awards director Laura Emson said: “It is only right that the blood, sweat and tears poured into these pubs is celebrated. I would like to raise a glass to all these award-worthy pubs.
The Shandon Bells pub on Hope Street (Image: The 1936 Pubco)
“We hope beer-lovers across the country will seek out these breathtaking examples of how beautiful UK pubs can be, if given the appropriate love and care these much-loved establishments truly deserve.”