It's been seven years since Liverpool's 'last closed door' club closed for good - but its memory still lives on in the city.
Located on in the Havelock Building on the corner of Berry Street and Bold Street in Liverpool city centre, The Cabin Club welcomed generations across the decades and is remembered for its membership cards, handing out lollipops on the doors and its incredible atmosphere amongst many things.
The historic building was the birthplace of Sebastian De Ferranti, a pioneer in the development of electricity in the UK. But The Cabin also claimed to be the inspiration for The Beatles’ song Don’t Bother Me.
Written by George Harrison while on tour with the band in 1963, the title was said to have come about after he was harassed by reporters and photographers on his way into the nightclub. A staple landmark opposite the Bombed Out Church, it was a popular nightspot for party-goers.
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But by 2015, the venue closed after decades of incredible nights and over the years attracted different developments and plans before re-opening as Jimmy's in 2019. According to its former Facebook page, it was the last "closed door" club in Liverpool and "very famous for the carousel horse in the basement and original 70's decoration."
Popular with police officers and nurses, customers had to knock on the door to gain entry and, once inside, were offered the use of an old-fashioned cloakroom. Here, we take a brief look back at what happened next to the popular site and memories of The Cabin Club.
Over the years, Pete Price has been among those to share his memories. He once worked at the popular venue as an assistant chef.
He said there were three owners of the cabin club when he started, Ian Bell, Brian Gilbertson and Mrs Windsor - and they didn't need a doorman as " nobody got past her." He said: "We didn’t have doormen, just her. And, believe me, nobody got past her. In fact, she refused Paul McCartney one night as his hair was too long. We were gob-smacked."
He said on his first day, the club smelt of prawn cocktail and had the first flashing glass dance floor in Liverpool, a tree in the middle of the club, a bar made of glass bottles with fairy lights in. There were also small, intimate booths and al thick carpet which remained there for decades.
He said: "We never had any trouble at the Cabin, Friday night was the 'who’s who' of Liverpool. It was a big part of my life."
But by 2015, it was announced that the former Liverpool nightspot which inspired a Beatles song was set for dramatic overhaul. It closed in September 2015 and it was set to be refurbished - possibly to become a gastro-pub.
Some of The Cabin Club signage remained on the building, but the club operators announced they had sold the venue to a private London-based investor for an undisclosed sum. The new owners had not yet finalised their plans for the building, but the ECHO understood it was being considered for conversion into a gastro-pub, possibly with residential space above.
In November that year, it was announced it was to re-open as a restaurant and bar, after being acquired by the team behind popular Liverpool restaurants Salt House Tapas, Bacaro and Hanover Street Social. At the time, Jonathan Poole from owners Red & Blue Restaurants said: "We have acquired the basement, ground and first floor to do a restaurant and bar concept. We’re intending spend about £700,000 on the fit out and employ about 60 staff.
"We have always loved Bold Street and think that The Cabin with all its history and and landmark location could have a new life as a restaurant and bar. We’re working hard on a design that will be sympathetic to the building and an offer that guests will love."
In April 2017, it was announced the building was finally set for a new lease of life under a £1.5m refurbishment.
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It was set to become a cocktail bar and street food restaurant complete with “urban luxury decor”. Scottish chain Bar Soba said the new venue would be spread over three floors of the historic building. A restaurant called Electric had previously been planned for the building but those plans were abandoned the year prior.
Urban explorer, Toc66, was granted permission to document the work on the building and shared a number of pictures with the ECHO The photographs showed how builders were stripping the building ready to began the long-awaited transformation of the venue, which had sat empty since 2015.
Following the announcement, many shared their fond memories of the former Cabin Club. Sylvia Kearns wrote: "Still got my membership card from 80's."
Ian McHale said: "Some funny nights in that place .... think my liver is still in there!." Debbie Lucas posted: "Ah end of an era. Nothing will replace the cabin. Many fun crazy nights in there. Going home with a lolly pop."
Beryl Thorbinson commented: "Argh that's where I met my hubby nearly 40 years ago when I had never been in the club b4 - & am proud to say I am still with the love of my life." And Gillian Bolland Newman said: "My favourite haunt years ago. So many crazy nights spent in there. Shame it's gone."
Do these awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
However the plans were scrapped in 2018. It was later announced in 2019 the famous club would be transformed into Jimmy's - a live music venue adorned with fluorescent lights and cool beer.
Founded by brothers George and Jimmy Craig, the three-floor venue in the former Cabin Club vowed to keep the building's rich musical heritage going. At the time, musician George Craig - frontman of band One Night Only and a model for Burberry - told the ECHO he had great memories of Liverpool because his band was scouted in the Cavern Club and went on to tour the world.
He invited the ECHO for a tour of the Havelock Building to talk more about his plan for a venue with a "psychedelic 60s and 70s vibe". He said: "It's a building with great history and we're bringing it back to life.
What do you miss most about the past? Attractions, lost venues or perhaps the way of life. Take a look at our nostalgia survey
In May 2019, the ECHO confirmed that the brand new venue was to launch in the Havelock Building. In July that same year, we got a first look inside the new bar and music venue Jimmy's.
To celebrate the venue's opening on August 1, 2019, Merseyside music veterans The Coral took to the stage to christen the venue at a sold out gig.
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