Boundary, Liverpool

A landmark pub of 1902 on an important road junction, and clear proof that Cain’s brewery did not confine its building of luxurious pubs to the city centre. Built of red brick with stone banding. A tiled corridor from the Lodge Lane entrance leads into a spacious corridor with a mosaic floor and high dado of colourful tiles in shades of green, light tan and maroon. The mosaic floor continues into the ladies toilets.

The corridor leads round to the stunning high ceilinged lounge with a mosaic floor and two alcoves picked out in green and pink also with fine woodwork (similarity to the Philharmonic where an alcove leads off the lobby in front of the semi-circular counter: at the Boundary the counter is a modern replacement with a polished granite top). Ornate plasterwork on the ceiling, ornate fittings for either gas lamps or candelabra. Has an high arch entrance with columns and capitals and panelled walls with bell pushes. An ornately carved fireplace with modern insert and old fixed seating. The pub has been opened out into two rooms at the rear also with ornate plasterwork ceilings. Large vestibule from Smithdown Road has mosaic floor, fielded panelling, high ceiling and plasterwork ceiling.

On the left of the corridor is a large, long public bar with a high dado of colourful tiling on the walls. The vestibule entrance from Lodge Lane has a well worn mosaic floor. The bar counter and bar-back fitting look like 1980s replacements and the advertisements are an unfortunate modern addition and overpower the room.