Wilsons Bar, Wood Street [Archive] - Yo! Liverpool Community Forum

horseflaps

09-09-2007, 11:17 PM

Hi All, I'm not too sure if this is the right place to request photos but I would love to see some pictures of an old bar I used to frequent in my youth.

It was called Wilsons and was on the bottom of Wood Street in town. It would be great to see some pics of either the outside and especially the inside.

stan

09-11-2007, 11:34 AM

I bet you were one of the ones who used to sit on that little balcony.
Did you ever go to Freewheelers too?

horseflaps

09-11-2007, 12:09 PM

I bet you were one of the ones who used to sit on that little balcony.
Did you ever go to Freewheelers too?

I did occassionally sit upstairs on the balcony, always on the floor as i remember for some reason.
I never did go into Freewheelers, I had friends who went but I always went upstairs into Sloanes.
Was the bouncer there called Mark Thomas? he had spider web tattoos on his elbows, I wonder what happened to him, or Stu who worked behind the bar.

stan

09-14-2007, 12:44 PM

I remember the bouncer.Didn't know his name though.
Freewheelers was great little place ,really laid back. Shame there's nowhere like that in town anymore (don't mention the swan).

Devo

09-20-2007, 07:14 PM

Sorry got no pics
Last time I saw Tommo was about 8 years ago not seen his girlfriend Jane from Maghull (big t**s) either!
Used to play pool in the Wilsons during the day, Milo's bar in the precinct used to be a favorite (remember the sticky carpet) and what about the "Warehouse" some great bands played there.
In the early days before i had a car or could afford a taxi we used to have to get the last train home to Aintree (anyone remember the two bikers from burscough who would roam through the train shouting about the germans?)

christy

10-20-2007, 10:04 PM

Know someone who bumped into Mark Thomas on a PGCE teacher training course:eek: Apparently he didnt pass:shock: Dont think I would like my kids taught by him.
Liked Sloanes, Rockfords and Rainfords were also good places but The Wilsons,Milo's and Freewheelers (nightriders) were my favourites.

Motorhemp

10-21-2007, 07:19 PM

Can't find any Wilsons photo's but got this one of Wood Street circa 1985

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/WoodStreet.jpg

anyone remember the two bikers from burscough who would roam through the train shouting about the germans?

Don't remember them but do remember a German lad over here despatch riding on a white BMW (R80?) with "Chippy Bomber" written on the side!

horseflaps

11-25-2007, 03:25 PM

thanks for the pic.

I remember some guy called Aurthur who went to Wilsons, he was about 40, maybe late 30's. He drank special brew, always wore combat gear and carried dead birds in his pockets, he was a right weirdo.

Motorhemp

11-25-2007, 04:28 PM

H_Asbo

11-25-2007, 07:12 PM

I remember the bouncer.Didn't know his name though.
Freewheelers was great little place ,really laid back. Shame there's nowhere like that in town anymore (don't mention the swan).

There were 2 bouncers Foz ( Foster) and George the Fireman

Foz later managed Freewheeelers, if you remember the coffin near the Entrance that was when Foz had it.

Little Sadie took over after him.

PhilipG

11-26-2007, 01:55 PM

There were 2 bouncers Foz ( Foster) and George the Fireman

Foz later managed Freewheeelers, if you remember the coffin near the Entrance that was when Foz had it.

Little Sadie took over after him.

Was that the Bar Royale?

H_Asbo

11-26-2007, 03:12 PM

Was that the Bar Royale?

Nope Freewheelers / Nightriders, but he may have taken over the Bar Royale too, but I wouldn't know it wasn't the place for me.

Motorhemp

11-27-2007, 12:03 AM

Nope Freewheelers / Nightriders, but he may have taken over the Bar Royale too, but I wouldn't know it wasn't the place for me.

Thought Sadie owned the lease on the whole block of Wilsons, Bar Royale Wheelers/Riders? Bar Royale being the gay bar sandwhiched between the two biker places. When he died his sister took over and ran them (more) into the ground and sold bits off? Bar Royale briefly became a sort of punk place with bands like Arcoroc and the Go-Heads playing...this is causing me to unscramble some brain cells to remember the place now!

Seem to remember a film think it was called Coast to Coast that had Lenny Henry in it using a greatly disguised Wilsons as a location.

H_Asbo

11-27-2007, 09:52 AM

Thought Sadie owned the lease on the whole block of Wilsons, Bar Royale Wheelers/Riders? Bar Royale being the gay bar sandwhiched between the two biker places. When he died his sister took over and ran them (more) into the ground and sold bits off? Bar Royale briefly became a sort of punk place with bands like Arcoroc and the Go-Heads playing...this is causing me to unscramble some brain cells to remember the place now!

Seem to remember a film think it was called Coast to Coast that had Lenny Henry in it using a greatly disguised Wilsons as a location.

Ahh I didn't even know Sadie had died, but not surprised having lost all the rest around there, Val Blundell ( Swan/Marlborough/Peppers ) Clive from the Swan ( and Joan who used to cook ), all nice people.

That block included the 147 at the back too, because one night it was Peeing down and Sadie let a gang of us through into the 147 from either Nightriders or the Wilsons there was a connecting door, but I can't recall which building.

Yes you wouldn't think a Gay Bar sandwiched between the 2 biker places wouldn't work would you? But in all my time drinking there, I never heard of any trouble between them.

I also remember going into Nightriders before it was a biker place. It was a skinhead hangout and its name was something to do with Scotland?
Wracking my brains and getting 'Swinging Sporran'? but not sure, that was a long time ago, and only went there to see a band ( can't even remember bands name ) but I was in Leathers and the skins gave me no hassle then either.

In the words of Foz "Happy Days"

Motorhemp

11-27-2007, 11:46 PM

Ahh I didn't even know Sadie had died, but not surprised having lost all the rest around there, Val Blundell ( Swan/Marlborough/Peppers ) Clive from the Swan ( and Joan who used to cook ), all nice people.

That block included the 147 at the back too, because one night it was Peeing down and Sadie let a gang of us through into the 147 from either Nightriders or the Wilsons there was a connecting door, but I can't recall which building.

Yes you wouldn't think a Gay Bar sandwiched between the 2 biker places wouldn't work would you? But in all my time drinking there, I never heard of any trouble between them.

I also remember going into Nightriders before it was a biker place. It was a skinhead hangout and its name was something to do with Scotland?
Wracking my brains and getting 'Swinging Sporran'? but not sure, that was a long time ago, and only went there to see a band ( can't even remember bands name ) but I was in Leathers and the skins gave me no hassle then either.

In the words of Foz "Happy Days"

It was called the Swinging Apple - there's threads on here about it somewhere but a little before my time. Didn't know about Val - used to frequent the Marlborough a lot including very drunken stay behinds on Sundays with Caesar providing food from his Indian restaurant over the road and Peppers a bit.

Seem to recall the whole block was connected by little passageways and you could go out the 'Riders fire escape and get into Sloanes and once wandered into the 147 when we got lost! Was George one of the original Wilsons bouncers always wore a suit and had scar on his face?

H_Asbo

12-08-2007, 03:57 PM

Yes that is George.

Sorry for the delay in Posting haven't been on much with Chrizzy and stuff :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

horseflaps

01-15-2008, 02:08 PM

fantastic stories guys, brings back loads of great memories.

This film ' coast to coast' , it sounds intersting (even though lenny henry is in it)
I will look it up, was it really shot in wilsons ?

Motorhemp

01-20-2008, 11:52 PM

This film ' coast to coast' , it sounds intersting (even though lenny henry is in it)
I will look it up, was it really shot in wilsons ?

Seem to remember they kicked everyone out and set up lights so that the balcony was supposed to be the way in and the cast came down the stairs into the main bar as if it were a cellar. Could well be wong though...:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

I've still not found any Wilsons photo's - have you? Nearest I've come to it is one of Wood Street (opposite direction from my last one and the Wilsons wall is just visible on the left)!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/20January200811.jpg

And this one of some group of regulars looking pretty drunk (well more drunk than pretty maybe) standing outside the place, the big metal bars on windows were the only way I recognised it.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/20January200823.jpg

Still rooting through old cupboards for more - may yet find some...

H_Asbo

01-21-2008, 11:24 PM

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/20January200823.jpg

Still rooting through old cupboards for more - may yet find some...

Ah I recognize the faces but don't know the names, did the guy by the girl have a brother that looks like him?

Also did the guy at the far right ever work behind the bar?

The guy next to him I saw in the Swan quite a few times, but they were just faces in the bar, same as I was to them :)

jimmin

01-21-2008, 11:40 PM

H_Asbo

01-22-2008, 10:46 AM

horseflaps

01-22-2008, 03:44 PM

great pic.........i recognise the tall guy, was he in a local band ?

keep em coming!

Im having trouble tracking down a copy of Coast to Coast, I've checked all the torrent sites, ebay and amazon....but i'll keep digging :034:

Motorhemp

01-22-2008, 11:45 PM

Ah I recognize the faces but don't know the names, did the guy by the girl have a brother that looks like him?

Also did the guy at the far right ever work behind the bar?

He was always getting mistaken for a guy called Andy who at one time DJ'd in the Riders, and don't think the guy on the end ever worked the bar.

Hi does anyone remember Dinos in wood street mid to late 60's great biker hangout was down in cellar just up from the swan (i think) had loads of bikers there. Remember granda reports doing feature on it and had us bikers following thier camera car round town, Happy Days:)

Wow got to know more about that! There's a guy who used to post to this forum, ex 60s Liverpool Biker (complete with Triton) who'd probably know - think he still posts to a group called scouse bad lads so will try to message him there.

great pic.........i recognise the tall guy, was he in a local band ?

Im having trouble tracking down a copy of Coast to Coast, I've checked all the torrent sites, ebay and amazon....but i'll keep digging :034:

Yes they were a local band around late 80s early 90s, and I hope I'm right about what film it was! Those cheap cans of Breaker had a way of altering memories!

Devo

01-23-2008, 04:38 AM

Coast To Coast - Pub Scene?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn4UH22pAiY

shoney

01-23-2008, 06:11 AM

Seem to remember they kicked everyone out and set up lights so that the balcony was supposed to be the way in and the cast came down the stairs into the main bar as if it were a cellar. Could well be wong though...:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

I've still not found any Wilsons photo's - have you? Nearest I've come to it is one of Wood Street (opposite direction from my last one and the Wilsons wall is just visible on the left)!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/20January200811.jpg

And this one of some group of regulars looking pretty drunk (well more drunk than pretty maybe) standing outside the place, the big metal bars on windows were the only way I recognised it.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/20January200823.jpg

Still rooting through old cupboards for more - may yet find some...

rooting in New Zealand and Australia means something else, enjoy your time in the cupboard , LOL

scousejoan

01-23-2008, 05:00 PM

Hi does anyone remember Dinos in wood street mid to late 60's great biker hangout was down in cellar just up from the swan (i think) had loads of bikers there. Remember granda reports doing feature on it and had us bikers following thier camera car round town, Happy Days:) hi Jimmin105174, I remember Dino's well. but every time I try to post my reply to you, I am told, I am not logged in. so I don't know what ya do about that, any mods reading this, I have given up after three attempts. No problem posting this quote though. Jimmin I have tried and tried to post my memories of Dino's, even opened it in a new topic, it's done now it's sorted so have a read.

Devo

01-30-2008, 02:57 AM

Regular in the Wilsons 1981.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd256/devo_2004/scan0007.jpg

This pic was taken in Ireland in 1981, the hair and ciggies may have gone now, but i still drink Snakebite!

lindylou

01-30-2008, 08:13 PM

It was called the Swinging Apple - there's threads on here about it somewhere but a little before my time. Didn't know about Val - used to frequent the Marlborough a lot including very drunken stay behinds on Sundays with Caesar providing food from his Indian restaurant over the road and Peppers a bit.

Seem to recall the whole block was connected by little passageways and you could go out the 'Riders fire escape and get into Sloanes and once wandered into the 147 when we got lost! Was George one of the original Wilsons bouncers always wore a suit and had scar on his face?

Those passages connected to a club called the 'Timepiece' in Fleet st (at the back of Wood st).

Someone was telling me that they wandered through the passages from the Wood st side and then went through a doorway and found themselves in the Timepiece club in full throttle ! They had a dance in there then went back over to the Wood st side. :D

The passages were for a fire escape exit route. (we think)

lindylou

01-30-2008, 08:16 PM

t
I also remember going into Nightriders before it was a biker place. It was a skinhead hangout and its name was something to do with Scotland?
Wracking my brains and getting 'Swinging Sporran'? but not sure, that was a long time ago, and only went there to see a band ( can't even remember bands name ) but I was in Leathers and the skins gave me no hassle then either.

In the words of Foz "Happy Days"

Was it called the Tartan bar ?

horseflaps

02-21-2008, 12:49 PM

why has this thread been moved to 'Architecture Discussion' ?

i couldnt find it, i had to go to google and do a search on wilsons bar, wood street

Julie C

03-27-2008, 04:39 PM

have just stumbled upon this gem, oh god the memories.

I used to frequent Wilsons, The Swan, Freewheelers/Nightriders

and Mad Arthur - he was a sweetie really, he painted my shop once for a crate of lager

christy

04-07-2008, 06:42 PM

He was always getting mistaken for a guy called Andy who at one time DJ'd in the Riders, and don't think the guy on the end ever worked the bar.

Yes they were a local band around late 80s early 90s, and I hope I'm right about what film it was! Those cheap cans of Breaker had a way of altering memories!

Boss memories and although only glimpses, great photographs, especially (weirdly) the one of the window with the bars which really brings back memories
Andy was a boss DJ and Stuart who worked behind the bar in the Wilson's of a day used to take over for him when he was off.
Kerry(goth) who worked behind the bar in the Wilson's was a nice girl and went out with my mate for a while.
Anyone remember Dev? Used to carry a cat around on his shoulder.
Big Ken and his wife (name?)
What was the name of the member of the Cerberus(sp?) who just stood there posing all the time - looked a bit like a cleaned up Frank Zappa and worked on the door of Sloanes????

Another lad called Stuart used to do the DJing in Milo's and was excellent - Kev McDempster used to take over for him if I remember right and then went on to work on radio city on the Great Eastern Express

Was there a band called Roadhouse who used to do Wilson's and done a boss cover of Dirty White boy by Foreigner? Stood out because they had a short haired 'scally' singer

Motorhemp

04-21-2008, 01:16 AM

Anyone remember Dev? Used to carry a cat around on his shoulder.
Big Ken and his wife (name?)

Oh my word - I remember the guy with the cat always on his shoulder! No one would believe that now, but it stayed there quite happy and purring no matter what!

Ken - we called him Grizzly (you would only have to see him)! He lived opposite me for a while near Garston, he was at one time a bouncer in the 'Riders and his wife was a barmaid there - no idea what happened after she got finished up and he took a baseball bat to the place :shock:. I remember his sister rode a BMW and I remember Ken having an ex-police Beemer around then as well.

Kev - why is this under architecture, the Wilsons could've been described as many things but architecture??? :)

christy

04-21-2008, 02:34 PM

After that, Ken and his girl took on the food selling in Sloanes when it first opened and then ended up with a cafe near Binns road. Cafe is still there I think but dont know if he still has it.

paulg104

07-13-2008, 02:35 AM

A mate just sent me that picture from outside Wilsons,many a happy afternoon spent in there,was mates with Stu who worked behind the bar as well as Mike (Moogy) and Alun who worked in there for a bit as well,me and Mike used to do a thrash metal night in Milos on a Thursday and did a bit of stint in Sloanes when they had bands on we's do the DJing.

Anyone used to go the Planet X as well?

Carlos_H

03-13-2009, 11:51 AM

Ha...just found this site!! Wilsons, Night Riders, Bar Royal, Milos, The Cave, The Swan, Cumberland Tavern....all quality drinking dives I spent my yoof in the early 80's. Does anybody remember/know.....Kipps, Smog, Kos, Noel, Gonzo, Lewie, Sparky, Diddi Dave, Tiny, Irene (from behind the bar), Alger, Boney, Carville, Lloydie n Sliced Bread, etc etc More importantly anybody got any pics?!?!?

Carlos

JMLE

03-13-2009, 01:37 PM

[QUOTE=Motorhemp;104715]
And this one of some group of regulars looking pretty drunk (well more drunk than pretty maybe) standing outside the place, the big metal bars on windows were the only way I recognised it.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j228/motorhemp/20January200823.jpg

A lad I work with recognises Richie (2nd from left) who was mates with Gary Dickinson.

Devo

03-14-2009, 06:35 AM

I used to go to the wilsons during the day to hang out n play pool. I remember cavesy ram motorpaul statusjoe tommo + burnsey but never owned a camera back then.
Anyone remember the bikers from burscough who used to get the last train to ormskirk at the weekend?

Spike

03-14-2009, 04:59 PM

I remember watching the band Sliced Bread playing many a time. Very good they where too.

Moogy

03-16-2009, 04:44 PM

just found this forum. I worked in the Wilsons n drank there most of the time. I've got loads of piccies inside n out of john, arthur, kerry, stu fox, stu lacky, alun tracy n all the freaks :-) who drank there from late 80's to early 90s. but no scanner. I think the photo on this site is of a band called mere dead men (MDM). I loved the place n the people there. Mike

Devo

03-18-2009, 10:29 AM

Welcome + Bring em pictures on Mike!
I'd love to see some pics of the place, maybe there's one of me losing a few memory cells before going to nightriders or milo's to loose a few more :shock:
Pity it's not still there.... i'd be in there this afternoon for a game of pool and a snakebite or two. I see MDM turned into a punk band :eek:

Hitchmough

05-04-2009, 09:06 AM

Wracking my brains and getting 'Swinging Sporran'?

The Swinging Sporran was in the Shopping city in Runcorn

Voodoo

10-07-2009, 08:15 PM

I just found this forum - wow does it bring back some memories. I remember drinking in the Wilsons every Friday and Thursday night in the early eighties before I transferred my allegiance to the Cumberland. The first time I went in it still had a dartboard (anyone remember that?) and I seem to remember some tartan wallpaper. later the back wall was painted with a mural of a woman with a snake. I remember Irene behind the bar (world record holder on the Space Centipede machine) and also a guy called John who worked there for several years. Someone mentioned the two guys from Burscough who used to catch the train home to Ormskirk - I remember them and their never-ending argument on the train. Every week one would say "Fords are better than Vauxhalls" and the other would disagree all the way home.
Most of all I remember the bands. Sliced Bread, of course. I saw their first performance in the Wilson's (one Thursday night -I had been looking forward to seeing Ronnie Westhead, Kieth Mulholland and Mylo doing their regular set as The Rubbers, and was quite grumpy that they had been replaced until I heard Sliced Bread; what a band!). I got to play guitar with Sliced Bread once in the Cumerland (only once!) a few years later. Anyone remember a band called Hellfire who played in the WIlsons a couple of times?
Happy days.....

alison

11-22-2009, 06:33 PM

Found this site today. Wow,WHAT A LOAD OF MEMORIES! The blazing fire in winter. Having to fight your way upstairs on a friday or saturday night for the loo. At closing time off to the Cave. They were the days. Anyone remember little Steve? It was where I would end up on my day off after spending most of my wages on records. I even used to take my mum there.