Historic Berry Street site to reopen as The Black Horse & Rainbow following £750,000 investment

The independent hospitality operator, DGB Hospitality Group, has acquired its ninth Liverpool city centre venue.

The Black Horse and Rainbow is set to launch this summer in the Ropewalks following a £750,000 investment.

The latest addition joins DGB Hospitality Group’s growing portfolio of Gloria’s, Petit Café Berry Street, Petit Café Lark Lane, Loretta’s, Three Piggies, Pogue Mahone, Motel and Teddy’s, with the project also creating 25 new hospitality jobs in the city.

Located within one of Liverpool’s busiest hospitality districts, the new venue occupies a site with a colourful and storied history in the current Red Door site on Berry Street. DGB will honour the building’s heritage whilst undertaking an extensive refurbishment and redevelopment across the three-storey property, which also features a versatile 250-capacity beer garden, additional outdoor heated terrace space and a dedicated function room. It will open in July with the launch date to be announced.

The Berry Street site was originally called The Masonic Arms and home to rock gigs, and after that it became Trader Jacks as a traditional pub. The original Black Horse and Rainbow launched in 1990 with its own in-house brewery, later changing to The Metropolitan with the iconic club The Lemon Lounge upstairs, and since 2015 the site has been Red Door.

The new Black Horse and Rainbow will focus on world-class continental beers, cocktails, wines and spirits, alongside nostalgic bar snacks and a garden barbecue menu designed around social drinking and outdoor hospitality. The concept will introduce a different type of pub in the city-centre, utilising its socialising spaces inside and outside, and will continue DGB’s passion for live music in all their venues, with DJs and bands programmed each week. 

Sean Singleton of DGB Hospitality Group says:

“We’re thrilled to make this new acquisition in Liverpool city centre, marking The Black Horse and Rainbow our ninth venue in the city. Opening any new site is always exciting, but this project feels particularly special because of the history attached to the truly iconic building and the different names and ownerships it’s had over the decades. We’ve got the opportunity to bring a sense of nostalgia back to the area, whilst still investing heavily into modernisation and the overall guest experience both inside and outside. We’re thrilled to bring the site to new life this summer, and how the beer garden in particular will be a focal point, from drinks in the summer sunshine and BBQs to seasonal activities throughout the year.

“At DGB, we’re passionate about creating communities – on the dancefloor, over brunch and dinner, or through late-night drinks with friends – and this venue will continue that philosophy. As a group, we remain hyper-focused on delivering the best possible experience across all our sites. Whether it’s disco late into the night at Gloria’s, French jazz at Petit Café, award-winning Guinness at Pogue Mahone or cocktails overlooking Chavasse Park at Loretta’s, every venue has its own identity and atmosphere. Our latest addition will continue this approach whilst bringing something completely new to the city. We can’t wait to welcome everyone.” 

DGB Hospitality Group continues to build on the ongoing success of Gloria’s, its most recent opening, which launched in September 2024.

The Black Horse and Rainbow’s opening date in July will be announced soon.

Find out more about The Black Horse and Rainbow here.

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