The Dispensary
Victorian corner pub on Renshaw Street, formerly the Grapes
The Dispensary is a Victorian pub at 87 Renshaw Street, on the corner of Oldham Street in Liverpool city centre. Once called the Grapes and later part of the Cains Brewery estate, it keeps a curved bar, wood panelling and the original Grapes sign behind the bar.
- Address
- 87 Renshaw Street, Liverpool, L1 2SP
- Cuisine
- Traditional pub · cask ales
- Established
- 1857
- Building
- 87 Renshaw Street (former Grapes)
- Built
- Victorian
- Nearest station
- Liverpool Central
From the Grapes to the Dispensary
The pub stands on the corner of Renshaw Street and Oldham Street. According to the Liverpool Echo, there has been a pub here since 1857. For much of its life it was the Grapes; the old Grapes sign is still kept behind the bar, and mosaic flooring from that period survives.
It later became a tied house of Cains, the Liverpool brewery, which redesigned it completely. After Cains' decline it became an independent free house. Its Victorian features include a curved bar, wood panelling and a raised panelled area at the rear.
Signature dishes
The Dispensary is a drinks-led pub known for cask ale and Guinness.
- 01
Oakham Citra
One of three regular cask ales listed by CAMRA
- 02
Titanic Plum Porter
Regular cask ale from the Stoke-on-Trent brewery
- 03
Ossett White Rat
Regular pale ale from Ossett's Rat brewery range
- 04
Guinness
The owner calls it among the best in Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)
- Monday–Thursday
- 12:00–00:00
- Friday–Saturday
- 12:00–01:00
- Sunday
- 12:00–23:00
Good to know
What was the Dispensary previously called?
It was formerly the Grapes, and the original Grapes sign is kept behind the bar.
How old is the Dispensary pub?
According to the Liverpool Echo, there has been a pub on the site since 1857.
Was the Dispensary a Cains pub?
Yes. It was part of the Cains Brewery estate before becoming an independent free house.
Does the Dispensary have live music?
The Liverpool Echo reports live traditional Irish folk music on several nights a week.
