Look inside Lark Lane’s oldest pub as it reopens after major restoration

Lark Lane’s oldest pub has reopened after a major restoration that’s seen it brought back to look like its 19^th century heyday.

The Masonic Arms was the Lane’s first drinking venue when it first opened back in the 1880s which makes it Lark Lane’s oldest pub. 

It’s had a few incarnations since, most recently as The Lodge. That closed in June this year and it was taken over by new owners, The 1936 Pub Co.

Now two months later, the group has completed a sympathetic fit-out, bringing in period features, artefacts, paintings and photographs to recreate how the community ale house would have looked back in the day.

It’s been given a mustard gold colour scheme in keeping with the building’s age and there’s also an outside swinging sign by Liverpool sign writer Harry Mytton who specialises in beautiful traditional hand-painted lettering and illustrations.

The Masonic Arms, which opens Wednesday August 6 will be the sixth venue owned by The 1936 Pub Co. on Lark Lane, along with The Bookbinder, The Green Man, The Old School House, Love & Rockets and Polidor.

The company was also behind the award-winning restoration of The Vines on Lime Street, as well as The Monro on Duke Street and The White Hart on Hope Street. 

Emilia Bona, head of comms for The 1936 Pub Co., says:

“The Masonic Arms has been carefully returned to its Victorian best, including giving it back its original name, plus a few new additions for extra cosiness.

“There’s been a pub on this site since the 1880s and through various renovations and changing fashions a lot of the original features had been previously removed,” she says.

“With this renovation it was a case of putting things back in that are respectful to what the building once was.

“Period design features make it look like an authentic 19^th century pub and make it feel like it’s always been there. If you were walking into it for the first time you’d feel like it was a historic community pub that’s been there for generations whereas actually it’s been lovingly and painstakingly restored to look like that.

“Dividers have been put into the main area to make it feel more snug and create some cosy corners.

“There’s wood panelling, two functioning fireplaces which will be perfect in autumn/winter, taxidermy, period paintings, photographs and mirrors.

“Outside, facing The Old School House, we have large striking lettering as well as the fantastic swinging sign, and lots of hanging baskets so it looks lush and green and as though it’s had new life brought back to it.”

A few-minute walk from Sefton Park, The Masonic Arms will be dog friendly, with a beer garden at the back and tables and chairs at the front, and will offer a big selection of cask ales and serve locally-sourced savouries and pies. 

Check out their full refurb on their instagram.

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