The Pig & Whistle pub, located on the corner of Chapel Street and Covent Garden in Liverpool city centre, has been a source of fond memories for locals over the years. Bobby Dix, 45, took over the pub in 2024 after moving to the city from High Wycombe. He told the ECHO that every week is different inside the historic venue, which welcomes both tourists and those seeking a quiet, cosy pub.
Refurbishment and New Additions
Following a refurbishment in 2025, Bobby previously told the ECHO that "lots" had changed, but the "feel" should hopefully remain the same. He worked hands-on to revive the pub, making changes through new upholstery and exterior additions, including flower beds and new light-hearted signs. Among them are posters that read: "The façade only a mother could love" and "We're not closed, just ugly."
A Journey into the Pub Industry
Bobby moved to Liverpool in 2019 to help the previous landlord, Neil at The Cross Keys, who was opening the pub. He offered Bobby a place to stay upstairs and a job. After about a year, Bobby went to university, bought a flat, and stayed involved only lightly. When Neil gave up the pub in 2024, Bobby took it over on a temporary basis. He opened it basically two years ago.
History and Name Origins
Records and adverts for the pub go way back in local newspapers, with several name variations. The most likely origin is an evolution of two words: "piggin," a cup for drinking beer, and "wassail," an English mead from 300-400 years ago. "Piggin wassail" was easier to understand in picture format, leading to the pig and whistle imagery. There are also nautical explanations due to the pub's proximity to the docks, but Bobby believes the word explanation is most likely true.
Celebrity Connections and Unique Features
The pub has notable celebrity connections. Barbra Streisand, while filming 'Yentl' on the Isle of Man Ferry in 1981, stayed at the Atlantic Tower and visited the pub occasionally. It was also a local pub for Jim McCartney, Paul McCartney's dad. Mike McCartney recalls sitting on the pub steps with Paul as youngsters, not allowed in. The four steps at the front are now called the McCartney Steps.
One unusual claim is that the pub sits on the border between L2 and L3 postcodes, with half in each. The pub's merchandise and logo include "Not a Brothel Since 1875," reflecting its history as a house of ill repute near the docks.
Haunted Presence and Community
The couple who lived there before Bobby are certain of a haunted presence, though Bobby has not experienced it. Those who do sense a presence agree that since the refurbishment, it has been calmer, with the presence seeming happy with what's going on.
The pub's bestsellers are Guinness in winter and Cruzcampo in summer, alongside real ales. Bobby notes the community includes young local professionals and tourists, with regulars skewing younger than most city centre pubs. He encourages people to explore further afield, mentioning The Railway, The Lion, and Shenanigans as good pubs on the same road.
