The Jacaranda, a historic Liverpool pub, has officially lifted a ban on Sir Paul McCartney that had been in place for more than 65 years. The original prohibition was reportedly imposed by the venue's first owner, Allan Williams, after a falling out with The Beatles in 1961 over booking commissions.
Symbolic gesture on Global Beatles Day
To mark Global Beatles Day 2026, The Jacaranda symbolically overturned the long-standing ban. In a video shared on social media, a staff member announced: "I was reading this book the other day and it talked about how our original owner, Allan Williams, actually barred The Beatles and I had this horrible dawning realisation, that maybe, Paul McCartney is still barred. So today, I wanted to declare Paul McCartney, you are not barred from The Jacaranda anymore."
The venue also clarified in a separate comment that Ringo Starr was never barred, as he did not join The Beatles until 1962, a year after the ban was imposed.
Historic ties between The Jacaranda and The Beatles
The Jacaranda's connection to The Beatles dates back to the band's earliest days. Opened in 1958 by Allan Williams as a coffee bar and basement music venue, it quickly became a hub for Liverpool's emerging rock 'n' roll scene. Before achieving fame, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were regulars who helped decorate the basement by painting murals on the walls in exchange for food and drinks. Some of these artworks are believed to remain beneath later layers of paint.
Williams became the band's first manager and played a pivotal role in their early career. In 1960, he arranged for The Beatles to travel to Hamburg, where they performed marathon sets at clubs like the Indra Club and Kaiserkeller. Those months are widely regarded as crucial in shaping the band's musicianship and stagecraft.
The falling out and the ban
The relationship between Williams and the band broke down in 1961 over unpaid booking commissions after their return from Hamburg. According to Williams' account, the disagreement led him to bar the group from The Jacaranda and his other venues. However, the split was short-lived, and the band soon moved on under new management. Williams later became known as "the man who gave The Beatles away" after failing to secure a long-term management agreement.
The Beatles came under the management of Brian Epstein in late 1961, propelling them to worldwide fame.
Embracing Beatles heritage today
Today, The Jacaranda embraces its Beatles heritage, regularly hosting live music, displaying Beatles memorabilia, and remaining a popular stop on Liverpool's music tours. The venue continues to celebrate its place in the story of the band's earliest years.
