The latest owners of the historic site are celebrating one year
The latest owners of the historic site are celebrating one year
20:28, 12 Feb 2026
A Liverpool venue still in its early days is preparing to celebrate a major milestone. The Dog & Collar on Hope Street will mark its first anniversary this month with a four-day birthday celebration.
Since opening in February 2025, the Georgian Quarter pub has built a reputation for its cosy taproom snugs, open fires and relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The venue is led by 32-year-old Daniel Gillbanks, from Aigburth, who runs Group Road Trip Hospitality alongside business partner David Scowcroft. Together, they are behind The Dog & Collar, PINS on Duke Street and Almost Famous on Parr Street.
Daniel said the pair were drawn to the building at 60 Hope Street because of its location. He told the ECHO: “It’s been an amazing year for The Dog & Collar. I used to live in the Georgian Quarter, so that’s originally why we took the site on when it came up.
“We realised there was a gap in the market for a higher-end pub – somewhere that was drink-led, but also focused on food. We are conscious of where we are located; the venue has lived many different lives in its time. But nowadays, people want somewhere they can keep going back to, somewhere homely with a comfortable feeling and I think we’ve achieved that.
“People keep coming back and back again. We have a lot of regulars and I think what draws most people back is the variations of the floors.
“They are all different with the ground floor being used as a tap room for a more casual setting and the second floor being reserved for more sit-down special occasions. It’s a dining room for longer-period meals but it wouldn’t feel out of place to have one friend in one room and another in the other, it’s a very open and accessible space.”
The Grade II listed building has a long history. It first opened in 1898 as the Conservative Working Men’s Club before becoming a chauffeurs’ club in 1935 – at one stage owned by Daniel’s uncle – where drivers would wait for their employers. Over the years, Chauffeurs also became known for its Latin dance nights.
In September 1998, it was announced that the club would close after decades in business. At the time, owner Ken Hanley cited changes in the nightlife industry and increasing competition from late-night bars. Membership had fallen from around 500 to just over 120 in its final years.
Before its closure, Mr Hanley said: “Trends have changed, and with the advent of all-day opening and late licences, we cannot compete any more. This kind of club is no longer commercially viable
“The club has always attracted the over-25s, and people from all walks of life come here. We were the first in the city to hold weekly Latin dance nights.
“But in the last couple of years, there have been maybe 40 or 50 places listed till 2am, and they are not paying the sort of licence fees we are paying as a club. I feel sad because Chauffeurs has been part of my life for the past 16 years, and we have never had problems to speak of. It has always been a pleasure to be here.”
Since then, the building has housed several restaurants, including ventures by the Manning brothers, Turkish restaurant Elite 60 and pan-Asian eatery Liu Shi.
Today, The Dog & Collar offers what Daniel describes as a more elevated pub experience. The ground floor operates as a taproom, while other floors cater to longer, sit-down dining. Interiors throughout the building draw inspiration from pubs in London, Cheshire and New York.
The pub’s name references its position between Liverpool’s Anglican and Catholic cathedrals at either end of Hope Street.
Daniel added: “Like everyone, we aren’t immune to the external conditions that are being put on us. There’s always huge conversations going on how to navigate these environments. But strong concepts do well and we are confident on what we seek to deliver. There’s pressures on a daily wrong, but that’s just the sector. We just have to face it head one.”
The pub will celebrate its first birthday from February 23 to 26, following the launch of a new spring menu. The week features a series of £1 specials, including limited £1 Guinness on Monday, a one-day set menu on Tuesday (£19 for two courses or £24 for three), £1 Irish coffees during a Wednesday happy hour and £1 oysters with live music on Thursday.
