Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Unfortunately for concert goers in Liverpool, it is a case of a wonderful symphony orchestra (Royal Liverpool Philharmonic) housed in an acoustically disappointing, architecturally mundane and insufficiently furnished concert hall.
From the outside, the 1930s building does have a certain monolithic appeal, an impression that disappears completely once one enters. The entry area feels cramped and more like that of a public bath, very boring. More boredom to come when you get into the auditorium, which looks like a combination of a 1920s music hall and a stuffy 1950s small town cinema. It’s also a very small hall for a city the size of Liverpool, especially since concert attendance is higher than at the infinitely superior The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. YES, they are currently undergoing refurbishment, but what’s being done is more like a drop in the bucket.
Toilets — they’re putting more in. Which is great, since currently it feels like they don’t have ANY (there’s a couple!). If you need to get to a WC real urgently during the intermission, you might as well forget it and rush across the street to the lovely The Philharmonic (Pub). They must put in MANY more toilets for them to be enough. The only thing in the entire hall that is decently sized is the large bar on the first floor.
Again, the orchestra is wonderful. They should get a better venue.

We caught Tubular Bells performed here in July. It was awesome. Sat in the front balcony — decent sight lines, good sound. Seats and leg room where better than back in the States. Good location. Very walkable to many good restaurants and pubs.

One of my favourite things about Liverpool, great music in a relaxed atmosphere. The prices are not to bad, as you can get the cheapest seets from about GBP 13.00.

Definitely one of the better culture spots of Liverpool, ‘The Phil’ has remained a stand-​out piece of architecture and arts-​housing throughout time. The feeling of nostalgia is present throughout, regardless of the type of act performing.
Despite only being a short distance from the city centre, the change in scenery and structure changes rapidly to an amazing walk into the past.
The building, from the view of the general public, may find these reviews somewhat arguable (such as Stephen K. Amos, during his tour earlier in the year) but for residents of Liverpool, they will understand it’s individual qualities and the impression it leaves to you in a city that would do otherwise.

Ah yes this is what a £10 million facelift does. An art deco masterpiece to savor was rescued thank God by the powers that be.
Philharmonic has a proud tradition and a great history when it comes to attracting the best artists from all genres of music. Yes you’ve guessed it the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones have all appeared at the Hall during their careers. As well as that it has played host to some classic and blockbuster films with premieres being shown on the unique Walturdaw rising cinema screen.
With over 200 events throughout the year while renowned for its classical concerts it is a great alternative cinematic experiance that will appeal to the masses. A must visit venue though for anyone visiting the Pool!

A concert hall where you don’t have to wear a tux or pretend you get the smarter references in Frasier, the Philharmonic Hall is a solid chunk of culture that stands on the spot where William Hope once lived, the man who gave his name to Hope Street.
Every occasion I’ve visited here has been a memory (although saying that I wouldn’t remember things I’ve forgotten, would I?) Be it my first time, when I heard an orchestra belt out the Mission Impossible theme, my graduation where author Brian Aldiss made us laugh with tales of getting a KGB bodyguard drunk or the Christmas show presented by leggy Angela Rippon, the Phil is a place for life’s jollier milestones.
The only downside is the outside, the inferior exterior. Unlike the grand music halls of old, the Phil isn’t much to look at. It’s like a much prettier building has had all its baubles and decorations confiscated by the Fun Police. If you can imagine such an atrocity.

It’s all about the cinema.
Cue possibly the best thing I have ever seen.
An old man decked out in full kilt & traditional Scottish attire playing a jaunty tune as the picture screen comes up out of the stage (The only one to do so, or so he tells us!)
This truly is a once in a lifetime cinematic experience and don’t worry you don’t have to don a kilt to partake in this joy. I had only come to watch Nowhere Boy and wasn’t expecting anything other that the usual Orange ads, but set in the grand Philharmonic Halls, usually host to the opera and many sell out tours it’s also a great place to catch a film!
True, the average age here is possibly around 65 and I did feel slightly out of place as the audience clapped in time to the organ music. However, it’s a very personalised and interactive way to start a film and seems to hark back to the days when music was played live by a band as the silent films rolled– it brings a bit of that magic back, you know!
Great venue, Great atmosphere, Great Scot! Book a ticket for the next showing!

I’ve been to the Phil a few times for different reasons, either to see the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, local orchestras or a film. The film experience at the Phil is absolutely great, it has one of the only screens of its type left, it rises from the stage like magic. The atmosphere when I went to see Sex and the City was great, we had pink martinis before the film, then the crowd during the film were great, laughing and clapping. I had seen the film before but the atmosphere at the Phil made it well worth seeing it again.
The actual building is a beautiful venue for any kind of concert, the art deco architecture has been restored to its original glory, and it stands proud at the top of Liverpool city centre. Plus, there is that swinging piece of art on the wall above the stage which almost hypnotizes you. A great place.

The Philharmonic is one the underrated gems of Liverpool in my opinion. Without a great orchestra like the Halle or LSO, it is often overlooked as a great venue and just another concert hall.
But the Phil not only hosts a great variety of bands — a couple of years ago Squarepusher did a gig here?! — but the buillding has some great Art Deco touches to it. Seeing a performance here really does take you back to a more grand time and place with its opera boxes and ornate fittings. But the best feature for me is the cinema screen. As it slowly rises up from beneath the stage the anticipation increases for the film. To really appreciate these events you should go out of your way to watch one the old films the Phil occassionally screens and even better if it is a silent classic which usually have a live musical accompaniment.

This is another one of Liverpool’s popular event venues playing host to some of the World’s great artists including the classical Andre Rieu.
Its interior setting is ideal for orchestras as the arena is specially designed so that every part of the audience can feel the surrounding effect of live music being played.
I was last there at a graduation ceremony where the place was full house. It is certainly a venue that attracts a variety of acts not only being classical performances but also film and comedy.
Prices are relatively reasonable but can vary depending on the type of show. However, tickets are not overly expensive and whoever goes to the Philharmonic is sure to enjoy the occasion albeit in a relaxing environment.

Ah, the Phil. The Liverpool Philly. Only a short walk out of the centre of town, you’ll find this stunning venue and all it has to offer. The Phil is a truly beautiful place, showcasing the mastery of art deco architecture and looking at it in all its glory now, you’d never guess that it had been restored only a little more than a decade ago.
There are many different things to see here at the Phil, including films, believe it or not. Yes, this place boasts the only remaining screen in Europe of its kind, a majestic 1930s art deco wonder which rises dramatically from the stage. I mean that’s worth a trip alone, isn’t it? Stuff the movie, we just want to see the giant screen appear!
Don’t stuff the movie. You’ll usually get live music from the resident organist around half an hour before and after the film which makes a fantastically brilliant change from the usual musak you’d experience during such a wait. The seats are comfy, and even the cheap ones offer a stunning view. There’s a great restaurant downstairs too. All in all, this is a magnificent place to catch a show, and you really should if you’re in the vicinity, I implore you.

I have to make a dire confession at this point: I’m an ABBA fan. You may wonder what the relevance is to The Phil, but all will soon become clear. You see, The Phil is one of those lovely theatres that has Bjorn Again on once a year, and Bjorn Again happen to be one of the best ABBA revival acts going. There are more guilty pleasures though — Jamie Cullum and Don McLean will be playing soon, to name a few.
Not only does The Phil have live music though — it is also a popular venue for comedians, and Lee Mack will be the latest to walk the boards in May. Plus, there are classic (and not so classic) movies shown two or three times a month.
This is a very popular venue, hence why all the bars and restaurants have sprung up around it, and its easy to see why. With a simplistic, almost Ikea-​style interior and not-​too-​showy bar, it’s obviously that the style at The Phil is not to take any attention away from the events they are hosting. This is more of a niche venue, so won’t have suffered too much from the opening of the Arena by the docks, as it tends to focus more on classical and orchestral music. But keep an eye out because there are some great acts on at The Phil.

The Philharmonic hall is home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO) who often highly recommended by Classic fm.
The orchestra play an eclectic program all year round with this season being particularly special being the Capital of Culture year for Liverpool.
When the RLPO aren’t performing in this great venue the program is full with many exciting events such as other classical ensembles, Jazz groups, Gospel Choirs, special cinema showings and even a spot of Gamelan now and again.
Although quite ugly from the outside, the building has a stunning neo-​art deco interior which was restored in the earlier 1990s.
This is a well respected venue, and the resident orchestra is one of Europe’s finest, well worth a visit.

Went to see Wayne Shorter here last Saturday, was really good. But I guess I’m supposed to be reviewing the place itself.
Now I don’t really know my architecture but is this place art deco? I think it is, it’s really nice whether it is or not. Oooo just checked the website it is! And did you know parts of the foyer are said to be based on decoration in the tomb of Tutankhamen! You learn something new everyday…
Moving on, I personally really liked the place, it had an understated glamour, but was also very relaxed. The café downstairs was really quaint as well, just soup and sandwiches type place but really friendly and not overpriced at all.
Tickets weren’t like you’d expect to pay at a big arena plus wherever you sit you’ll get a decent enough view.
I’d definitely go back.

Philamonic has a lot of different productions on, and the auditorium is very large, wherever you sit you will still have a nice evening. there is parking available and a bar area for intervals,