Ye Cracke
Multi-room 19th-century pub on Rice Street, off Hope Street
Ye Cracke is a traditional multi-room pub at 13 Rice Street, a narrow side street off Hope Street in Liverpool. Opened in a former cottage as the Ruthin Castle, it later took the name Ye Cracke and is known as the pub John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe used as art students; it reopened in August 2025.
- Address
- 13 Rice Street, Liverpool, L1 9BB
- Cuisine
- Traditional pub
- Building
- Ye Cracke (formerly the Ruthin Castle)
- Built
- 19th century
- Nearest station
- Liverpool Central
From the Ruthin Castle to Ye Cracke
Ye Cracke began in the 19th century as the Ruthin Castle, a pub in a cottage on Rice Street. It grew piecemeal into the neighbouring house, and CAMRA describes the result as a collection of rooms: a small front bar with a plain boarded counter and copper top, a snug known as the War Office, formed by timber-and-glass screens with its original fixed seating, and a main bar with fittings of the late 1960s or early 1970s.
The War Office is said to take its name from locals discussing the Boer War there. The Rice Street door carries etched lettering for Houlding's Beacon Ales, from the brewery of John Houlding, founder of Liverpool FC. CAMRA lists the interior as of very special national historic interest (two stars); the building itself is not listed.
The pub is associated with John Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe, who drank here while students at the nearby art college, and Lennon courted Cynthia Powell here. After closing in April 2025, Ye Cracke reopened on 28 August 2025 with a refurbished main room and a former stable converted into seating.
Good to know
Why is it called Ye Cracke?
The pub was originally the Ruthin Castle; 'cracke' is described as a Liverpool word for an alleyway, and the name is also linked to the pub's small size.
Did John Lennon drink at Ye Cracke?
Yes. Lennon and Stuart Sutcliffe used the pub while students at the nearby art college, and Lennon courted Cynthia Powell there.
What is the War Office at Ye Cracke?
A small screened snug with original fixed seating, said to be named after locals discussing the Boer War there.
Is Ye Cracke open?
It closed in April 2025 and reopened on 28 August 2025 after refurbishment.
