Report - The Royal Castle Pub (Birkenhead, Jan, 2019)

[urbanchemist]

A pub on a traffic island near the Birkenhead tunnel.

History. Shown as a hotel on an 1876 map, the building has had various names, the last three being The Royal Castle, Hotel California and Revolver.
It used to be a popular music venue before shutting in June last year.
Kids and metal thieves have since been in and made a mess chucking stuff around, pulling up some of the floorboards and stealing flashing.
Water is now getting in and the cellar is partially flooded.

Comparison with an old photo from 1909 taken from https://www.wikiwirral.co.uk/forums...l-california-ormerods-royal-castle-hotel.html

The ground floor of this place is typical music-pub, divided into various sections painted dark colours.
The upper residential floors are mostly full of junk, the most interesting rooms being in the corner tower.
The building is not listed so given its inconvenient location the chances are it will be demolished.

Views from the roof.

 

[cunningcorgi]

Interetsing to see the Ulysses in the last photo.

Must be in for maintenance.

 

[urbanchemist]

Interetsing to see the Ulysses in the last photo.

Must be in for maintenance.

I was slightly surprised to the shamrock myself - the only dock big enough for it I expect.

 

[dweeb]

Wow, some beautiful features there! I don't think much to the decor personally!!

 

[dweeb]

Any idea what the brewery livery is in the window? I don't recognise it...

 

[urbanchemist]

Any idea what the brewery livery is in the window? I don't recognise it...

I was hoping you might be able to tell me...maybe Threlfall's?

 

[Shaun]

I was slightly surprised to the shamrock myself - the only dock big enough for it I expect.

Id thought they would maintenence it in Dublin since that's where they are based but maybe the maintenence docks aren't big enough for it

 

[urbanchemist]

Id thought they would maintenence it in Dublin since that's where they are based but maybe the maintenence docks aren't big enough for it

No large dry docks left in Dublin - Alexandra basin, near where the P&O ferries moor, closed some time ago.

 

[Shaun]

No large dry docks left in Dublin - Alexandra basin, near where the P&O ferries moor, closed some time ago.

Oh I never thought that place closed yea this would be the closest then

 

[dweeb]

I was hoping you might be able to tell me...maybe Threlfall's?

Yep a quick Google confirms that, well done you!

 

[Luke vaughan]

Great report and some lovely stained glass and nice decor too

 

[Cortinalights]

Nice photos, old boozers are one of my favorite genres, looks like some lovely old Victoriana in there with the tiles and stuff, what a shame if it's gonna be demolished

 

[The Kwan]

Brilliant report but slightly sad for me, I remember the Royal Castle when I worked at the shipyard in the late 80's when the billiard room was the place to find our EEPTU senior shop steward, playing snooker and drinking brown mild with the other Union reps all powerful back then.

Plus the swift pint with me old muckers on a payday Thursday night on the way home after work makes me a bit sad to see the state of it.
How times change....great report mate

 

[scotty markfour]

I was in here at the weekend , looks like the workmen are gutting the inside ! ...i will have a report up soon titled REVOLVER

 

[dweeb]

Yes I can confirm that it is coming down and many of the features have thankfully been removed to be sold. I myself made a fine purchase which is currently filling the floor of my office!