The Casbah Coffee Club is one of the world's most legendary Rock 'n' Roll venues, located outside Liverpool city centre. It was started by Mona Best in 1959 in the cellar of their family home. The Casbah, as it became widely known, was originally planned as a members-only club for her sons Pete and Rory and their friends. Mona had the idea after watching a TV report about a London bar where several famous singers had been discovered. The club opened on 29 August 1959.
The pre-Beatles band The Quarrymen with its members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ken Brown arranged their first booking in here. They even helped Mona to finish painting the club first. So all four guys took up brushes and helped her painting the walls with spiders, dragons, stripes, and stars. Among them, you can still see John Lennon's Aztec inspired graphics on one of the ceilings. The Beatles themselves often played at the Casbah as other venues had a jazz-only policy at that time. The venue operated until 1962, providing a home for the distinctive Merseybeat sound which would change the face of popular music forever.
The cellar with its original decoration still exists today so you can visit this unique basement club as it was in its very beginning.
Casbah Coffee Club Liverpool, Painting (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Casbah Coffee Club Liverpool, House Front (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Casbah Coffee Club Liverpool, Stage (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler )
Casbah Coffee Club Liverpool (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Casbah Coffee Club Liverpool, Stage (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler )
Casbah Coffee Club Liverpool, Ceiling (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler )
Liverpool's famous sons in bronze
Where the Beatles' song becomes alive
Paul McCartney & John Lennon first met here
World-renowned training place for musicians
John himself near Cavern Club
Strawberry Fields Forever - in live
British host & Pop icon
A tribute to the Beatles
The place where John lived with his aunt Mimi
Some Beatles hits were written in here
Where the Beatles' manager was born
In 1940, the Beatles' drummer came into this world
Sir Richard Starkey once lived in here
Where the quiet Beatles member spend some time
Liverpool's former maternity hospital
Just opposite impressive Liverpool Cathedral
Where the Fab Four played 27 times
Recording place of their first disc
Bronze sculpture of former Beatles' manager
One of the most influential bands of all times
Synthie Pop & New Wave by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Death Metal & Grindcore since the 80s
Born at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
British Indie Rock from Liverpool
Chart breaking Pop band in the 80s
Former Indie Rock group
Known for their Three Lions hit