A lost Liverpool restaurant train loved for its Irish coffee was a "proper treat" to visit.
The ECHO recently shared rare images of one Berni Inn chain in Liverpool that have been unseen for years and sparked memories for many in the city. The brainchild of brothers Aldo and Frank Berni, the Berni Inn brand started life in Bristol before expanding its empire to London, Birmingham - as well as Liverpool, Southport, New Brighton and more.
Paving the way for the pub-restaurant chains we know so well today, the brothers were inspired by businesses they had seen in America and from there the likes of steak and chips, prawn cocktails and Black Forrest gateau were introduced to post-war Britain. Arguably the go to place to celebrate a special occasion, in Merseyside itself there were the likes of the Berni Steak Bar in Sefton House, the River Inn on St George's Road, Pierhead, The Albany on Old Hall Street and the Mersey Tavern on Lord Street.
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Berni Inns in Southport included the Fox & Goose on Cable Street and Thorps Tavern on Nevill Street and there was also the Queens Royal in New Brighton. Our archives, Mirrorpix, recently rediscovered 13 photos of the Pier Head's River Inn years ago following a refurbishment in 1989 and what it also looked like in 1990.
From the outside of the building to people who worked there and what it looked like inside, they transported former customers back in time. On our Facebook page, many ECHO readers have since shared their fond memories of the site.
Janice Sheargold said: "Aww what memories! I remember having a meal there with my Mum and Uncle. It was always a special occasion in those days. I loved it, and the Irish coffee!." Wendy Katherine Stuart wrote: "Prawn cocktail, steak and Black Forest gateau, with a schooner of sherry! Ah memories, although I didn’t drink the sherry! I thought I was so sophisticated to visit a Berni Inn !."
Pat Jones said: "I loved it, always a treat, felt very posh." Susan Unsworth said: "The River Rooms.....a Berni Inn. Loved to go for a meal here."
Karen Kyle commented: "Great memories, we called it the River Inn and it was only for special occasions." Susan Mansley wrote: "Loved it a treat with my Nan with a window view over the river ! Just perfect! Always had fish and chips ! And peas I think xxxxx."
Pauline Pimblett Robinson commented: "Loved it I worked there in the early 80s." Sheila Smith posted: "Loved the Berni coffee , I wish I knew which one they used !."
Charlie Dempsey said: "I was on the management team in the early eighties, and it was one of the busiest restaurants in Liverpool (and E.R. Hughes supplied the steaks)." Sarah Wingle said: "It was a Berni Inn l worked it was also great for its Irish coffees x."
Kirstie Carroll said: "Celebrated my gran and grandad's Ruby Wedding Anniversary there in 1979. Loved Berni Inn." Sandra Pritchard wrote: "Loved it there my mum used to save her luncheon vouchers so my boyfriend and I could go on a Saturday night we were 16."
Anne Suddaby wrote: "I loved going upstairs there and just watching the Mersey and all the lights on the riverside." Mo Royden commented: "Steak and strawberries - my fav!."
Helen Johnson said: "Used to visit on special occasions with my parents xx." Katy Goodwin said: "Used to go on a saturday night with me Mum and Dad."
What are your memories of Merseyside's Berni Inns? Let us know in the comments section below.
Pamela Peacock posted: "We loved it there a schooner of sherry with a delicious steak." Joyce Waring wrote: "Went many times with my family ,T bonesteak dessert trolley, and those coffees in a glass loved it happy memories."
Gerard Mulligan wrote: "Loved the Berni inns. Felt like a posh night out !." Christine Callaway wrote: "We always went sunDays Trips on Royal Iris Dico followed by steak and strawberries we all loved Berni Inns."
Benita Brocklebank posted: "Thank you for sharing this! Berni Inns great food." Barbara Kelly said: "Prawn cocktail steak Black forest gateau bottle of blue nun l thought was the height of sophistication."
Angela Cowling commented: "Wished it was still going x." Gloria Wilkinson Sweeney posted: "Loved the Bernies Inn always had the best Irish Coffee when rhe waitress would pour the cream over the back of a cold spoon at your table nothing now comes close to Bernies." And Christine Hollywood said: "Was a proper treat to go the Berni Inn for something to eat back in the day."
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The brothers sold the chain to Grand Metropolitan for £14.5 million in 1970. By the mid 1990s, the chain was sold to Whitbread who later converted the outlets into their own Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants.
As for Liverpool, its Pier Head chain later became home to another the Shanghai Palace Chinese restaurant, until that was bulldozed in 2007 as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Pier Head. It is now home to Matou.
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