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WEDNESDAY, 31 January 2024 will mark Ma Boyle's, who are located at Tower Gardens, Liverpool, will be marking its 50th year, since it was relocated by Ma Boyle's.

The venue was 1st known as Ma Boyle’s Oyster Bar, after the original proprietor Kay Boyle, who ran the business as a coffee shop. After switching coffee beans for oysters, at the turn of the 20th Century, Ma Boyle’s quickly became something of an institution. Traders in the Liverpool Docks boom years and those working in professional services made up Ma Boyle’s clientele in the original location of 2 Old Hall Street.

Its entrance, much like its Tower Building counterpart, was unassuming and discreetly tucked away, down a side street. Inside was again a basement bar, but with triple height ceilings with its trademark beautiful marble topped bar and it became world famous for its seafood and oysters. Interestingly, Ma Boyle’s was 1 of the 1st ever:- 'no smoking bars' in the UK. this was not on health grounds, but on account that the cigar smoke would have unduly flavoured the oysters.

Its original location on Old Hall Street was open for over 100 years, finally closing its doors on New Year's Eve 1973, due to the building being demolished to make way for the new underground Merseyrail Moorfields Station. The only surviving item from its Old Hall Street days is the stunning Royal Imperial Mirror that once was the pride of place behind the bar. Today the mirror is now situated in the main bar area in the current Tower Gardens location.

A constant talking point for those visiting Ma Boyle's is the stunning mosaic, which is a tribute to the Old Hall Street location, Liverpool Docks, and business district that was commissioned by renowned Ceramics Artist Jean Powell for the opening of the Tower Gardens Ma Boyles, back in 1974. This amazing centrepiece is still in the entrance area of the bar to this day.

Ma’s has navigated history, through the rise and fall and rise again of the City where she had docked for over 160 years and has evolved and changed like the City itself. Through wars, Pandemics, poverty, and boom years, it remained a constant to all who worked and socialised in the business district through generations of patrons.

Ma Boyle's home is now in the stunning Grade II* listed Tower Building, with its basement lounge sitting upon the catacombs of the original Liverpool gaol, a history lesson in Liverpool itself.

The oysters may be no more, but its most recent reinvention has Ma Boyle’s as the home of the famous Scouse stew, the most popular dish on the menu, which attracts tourists from all over the world. And to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary, on Wednesday, 31 January 2024, there’s a special offer available all day for Ma’s famous Scouse, but booking in advance is strongly recommended.

Current owner Iain Hoskins, who rescued Ma Boyle's from permanent closure, in 2015, explains:- "We all love how Ma's is richly steeped in history, and when we found out that January 2024 was 50 years of being in Tower Gardens and we wanted to share this wonderful story. It's fascinating to see how the heart and soul of Ma's have remained essentially the same; a much loved place to socialise, celebrate, and party, and it's this DNA we still have in the present day. We're tucked away off Water Street and nestled by the beautiful St Nick's Church Gardens and as Ma's has seen the City change it's always stayed true to its maritime roots. Since I took over Ma's we've sought to enhance and refine the splendid space as a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the City and a place to escape in. It's been a wonderful 9 years for me and the team and a lot has happened during this time as we have developed and honoured the legend of Ma's. Every time I walk in the walls resonate with its storied past and how it came to be here. The Pandemic was tough and we questioned whether Ma Boyle's would have a future in the new realities of people working from home. I'm happy to say that she's bounced back stronger and her future is assured. I knew Ma Boyle's was special when I 1st saw the site and understood its history and heritage. As a Port City and famous trading center, just imagine all the conversations, stories, and energy that unfolded here. It has a special place in the City's lore. You can't buy history like that, which makes Ma's truly 1 of Liverpool's longest running names in hospitality. And I feel the story is set to continue. We're offering our famous Scouse on:- Wednesday, 31 January 2024, to honor the fabulous history of Ma Boyle's."

Do you remember the original location on Old Hall Street and what do you think of its home for the last 50 years? We would love to know your memories and do you know of any other small businesses, like Ma Boyle's, who have run for over 100 years in Liverpool City Center? Please do tell us bellow...