Inside Liverpool's hidden rooms, you may never have noticed

Liverpool city centre is full of hidden gems you may never have noticed. Whether you're walking around the city's Georgian Quarter or along the historic waterfront, there's always something different to look out for.

The ECHO regularly takes a look inside unique buildings across the region, from abandoned spaces to historic places that have been restored to their former glory. Here we've rounded up some of the city's hidden spaces you may not know existed.

If there's a building you'd like the ECHO to take a look inside or one that you think should be included in this list please email: news@liverpool.com.

The Phil's second-floor

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms is a Liverpool landmark that needs no introduction. Built by brewer Robert Cain in around 1900, the Grade I listed pub is one of the grandest in the country. Situated on the corner of Hope Street and Hardman Street in the city centre, the pub is loved by locals and tourists alike.

But above the pub’s main bar and dining area, on the second floor, you’ll find two rooms many people don’t know about. Unused, the rooms stand empty but have plenty of potential.

With light flooding in through the period windows which look out onto Hope Street, the rooms offer the perfect place to people-watch. Annette has worked at the pub since 2018.

Speaking to the ECHO last year, she said: "Our day trade is tourists, it's like a museum. People want to know all about it. We still get loads of trade from Carpool Karaoke. About three or four times a day, we're asked about Paul McCartney."

Secret tunnel in Bold Street shop

Soho's opened its doors on Bold Street in 2005 in a building that was previously home to the department store Jeff's, once known as the "Harrods of Liverpool." Back in 2001, the previous owner, Jeff Pearce, was in the process of renovating the shop as a fashion store and Victorian tearooms when he stumbled across a small hole in the stone floor.

Jeff followed where the light was coming from and discovered a well at least 25ft below ground level, dating back to the 17th century. The well was found underneath a bomb shelter in the basement where archaeologists spent three weeks and found other historical items including clay pipes and porcelain.

Experts told the shop owner at the time the well was likely built when Bold Street was still a field and it was purely for drinking purposes. The water is believed to come from the spring at Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and is supplied by little channels. It takes years travelling through sandstone purifying itself along the way.

Jeff made the well into a feature inside the shop by building it up to above ground level. It can still be seen inside Soho today, with customers popping in especially to see it.

City centre passageway that's as long as Castle Street

An unassuming set of double doors outside an iconic city building leads to a passageway many people don’t know exists. The Grade II listed pedestrian tunnel, with its entrance situated at the front of India Buildings on Water Street, dates back to the 1880s and was refurbished in 2015.

The tunnel is only open during peak hours when it gives access to James Street Station. Opened in 1886, James Street station, together with Hamilton Square underground station in Birkenhead, are the oldest deep-level underground station in the world.

Inside the underground walkway, which is as long as Castle Street, is a central handrail, which comes in handy when walking back up the steep incline from the underground station. In 1982, plans were made to scrap the historic passageway after a century of use as part of cost-cutting plans.

A spokesperson for British Rail told the ECHO at the time that it was too costly and not enough people were using it to justify keeping it open. However, a campaign to save the walkway was successful after many of its regular users objected to its closure.

'Liverpool's best kept secret' alleyway

Tucked away off Water Street is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it alleyway that has been described as “Liverpool’s best-kept secret”. Just around the corner from the hustle and bustle of Castle Street’s bars and restaurants, you’ll find Oriel Close.

The dead-end alley had been "neglected" with crumbling walls and a water-logged brick floor when Yakel Property Investment purchased a property there in 2019. Neil Palin and Luke Gorman took a "big risk" when they rented a "disgrace" of a unit on Oriel Close in August 2020.

The business partners have given the building a new lease of life as the home of Oriel Close Barbershop. Neil and Luke have also since opened a speakeasy-style bar in the backroom which is a bar in its own right.

Everyone’s welcome at Oriel Bar - not just those having their hair trimmed. The barbershop holds a lot of history and is based on the ground floor of the Grade I listed Oriel Chambers building, which was designed by architect Peter Ellis and built-in 1864.

It was the building's design with its metal-framed glass curtain wall that pioneered techniques later used in skyscrapers across the globe. Also based on Oriel's close is Flour Will Fly - a hidden Italian venue offering cooking classes, from pasta and pizza making to bagel and cannoli classes.

The business is the brainchild of Paola Paulucci. Born in Brazil to a family of Italian migrants, Paola and her family moved back to Genova, in Italy, when she was nine. There, she was immersed in the vibrant Italian culture and fostered her passion for cooking.

Designed for food lovers of all capabilities - or lack of - Flour Will Fly's classes regularly sell out. Before the venue was transformed into the cool and quirky setting it is today, it was derelict. Paola and her late partner Andy gutted the site, restoring it sympathetically to respect the history and style of the building.

Tiny house that's one of the oldest in the city

10 Hockenhall Alley is tucked away off Dale Street in the city centre on what is one of the original seven streets of Liverpool. With just one room to each floor, the pint-sized former dwelling house is one of the oldest surviving workers' houses in the city.

The building is believed to have been built between 1765 and 1785. Building work is now well underway to restore the house to its former glory and convert it into a boutique hotel. Hockenhall Alley was originally known as Molyneaux Weint, but it's believed to have been renamed after a family whose primary residence was at Hockenhall Hall near Tarvin, Cheshire.

Back in the 18th century terraced houses and courts were built on the streets surrounding Dale Street to accommodate the city's rapidly rising working population. 10 Hockenhall Alley formed part of this network of properties and was once part of a small row of houses.

The exact date the other houses in the row were demolished is unknown but it’s thought to have been sometime around the 1880s. Number 10 was saved from demolition and later became Grade II listed.

During its history, the house has also been used as a pharmacy, followed by a clock repairer - John Nelson’s workshop. Today the building, which sits sandwiched between the Princes building and Cheapside warehouse, is being turned into a holiday let.

Behind the green doors, thousands pass every day

Behind the Three Graces on Liverpool's waterfront, you'll find the George's Dock Building. George’s Dock was one of the original docks of Liverpool that was built in 1771 and extended from Mann Island to the Liver Building.

Thousands of cars pass the George's Dock Building each day while driving down the Strand, but few have seen what lies behind its green doors. The building first opened in 1934 as a ventilation station and head office for the Mersey Tunnel.

It houses a giant ventilation fan system, a control centre and administrative offices. Designed by architect Herbert Rowse, the ECHO was recently offered a look inside the Art Deco building.

Photos show the old control rooms with ancient-looking technology that was still used as recently as 2016. The Grade II listed building doesn't see as much use now as it once did, apart from in its offices and surveillance room. However, tour guide Alison Smith told the ECHO the building is still used regularly as a film set.