Located at the top of Bold Street, the Cabin was associated with George Harrison and Tommy Steele and closed its doors for the final time in 2015. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool iconic former Cabin nightclub is to be the new home of another famous North West live music brand.
Manchester indie and grass roots live music venue Jimmy’s has agreed a deal with agents from CBRE to take 8,000 sq ft across the basement, ground and first floors in the Havelock Building at the top of Bold Street.
CBRE acted on behalf of the London-based owners of the building and Jimmy’s has signed a 15-year lease. Fit-out work has now begun with a view to a summer opening for the venue.
When the Cabin club closed its doors for the final time in 2015 it felt like the end of an era. Popular with police officers and nurses, customers had to knock on the door to gain entry and, once inside, were offered the use of an old-fashioned cloakroom.
The Cabin had famous associations with Beatle George Harrison and legendary cockney entertainer Tommy Steele. Harrison wrote Don’t Bother Me after being harassed by reporters and photographers on his way in to the Cabin in 1963 and Steele held his engagement party there.
Nick Huddleston of CBRE says the owner was holding out for the right operator. He added: “The landlord was willing to wait for the right tenant that fitted with the independent vibe of Ropewalks and Chinatown. He’s delighted with the outcome, not least because he’s a bit of a rock music aficionado himself.”
The building sits at the top of Bold Street in a prominent position facing the city’s famous Bombed-out Church and bordering Chinatown and Ropewalks. The city’s university quarter is just up the hill.
This is Jimmy’s first foray outside Manchester and director George Craig added: “Liverpool’s musical heritage needs no introduction but there’s a clear gap in the market for a venue with our programming focus. Nobody blends indie music with beer and sheer entertainment like we do.
“It’s a perfect location that will suit our customers to a tee. We’ll have great music seven nights a week in the basement, a buzzing bar and restaurant on the ground floor with additional bar, dining and event space on the first. Liverpool is just gonna love this.”