Saturday 29 July 1961 | Blair Hall, Walton Road, Liverpool
On 29 July 1961, The Beatles performed at Blair Hall in Walton, Liverpool — their fourth of five appearances at the venue, booked by Peak Promotions. The show came during a concentrated run of Blair Hall dates in July 1961, with the band playing the same venue on 16, 23, 29 and 30 July — four shows in a fortnight.
Blair Hall
Blair Hall was a dance hall situated on the second floor of the Co-operative building on Walton Road, Walton, Liverpool. The building served multiple purposes across its floors: the basement housed a furniture store and pharmacy; the ground floor sold groceries and soft furnishings; the first floor contained Co-op offices and banking services; and the second floor — Blair Hall itself — was the dance and events venue.
The entrance was not on Walton Road but on Christopher Street, at the side of the building. The building was later demolished and a supermarket built on the site.
Peak Promotions
Peak Promotions ran jive events at four venues across northern England:
- Blair Hall, Walton Road, Liverpool
- Holyoake Hall, Wavertree, Liverpool
- David Lewis Club, Great George Place, Liverpool
- Columba Hall, Widnes
The Beatles performed at three of the four — Blair Hall, Holyoake Hall, and the David Lewis Club — but not at Columba Hall in Widnes.
All Five Blair Hall Dates
| 5 Feb 1961 | Blair Hall, Liverpool |
| 16 Jul 1961 | Blair Hall, Liverpool |
| 23 Jul 1961 | Blair Hall, Liverpool — read article → |
| 29 Jul 1961 | Blair Hall, Liverpool ★ This show |
| 30 Jul 1961 | Blair Hall, Liverpool |
The cluster of four shows in July 1961 — on the 16th, 23rd, 29th and 30th — reflects the intensity of the band’s gigging schedule at this point. They were playing the Cavern Club at lunchtimes and evenings, weekend dances at venues like Blair Hall, and occasional out-of-town bookings, all while building the Merseyside following that would attract Brian Epstein’s attention later that year.
The Beatles in July 1961
By late July 1961, The Beatles — John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best — had returned from their second Hamburg trip and were one of the most in-demand live acts on Merseyside. Stuart Sutcliffe had remained in Hamburg, leaving the four-piece lineup that would carry the band through to Ringo Starr’s arrival in August 1962.
The summer of 1961 was the last period of relative obscurity before the machinery of Beatlemania began to turn. Brian Epstein would visit the Cavern Club for the first time in November 1961 and become their manager in January 1962. The Blair Hall shows of July 1961 were among the final dates the band played as an unknown local act.
Key Facts: 29 July 1961
| Date | Saturday 29 July 1961 |
| Venue | Blair Hall, Walton Road, Liverpool (2nd floor of the Co-operative building) |
| Promoter | Peak Promotions |
| Significance | 4th of 5 Blair Hall appearances |
| Entrance | Christopher Street (side of building) |
| Venue status | Demolished; supermarket built on site |
Walton Road, Liverpool — where the Co-operative building housed Blair Hall on its second floor. The building has since been demolished.
The Beatles: The Cavern 1962
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Frequently Asked Questions
Did The Beatles play Blair Hall in Liverpool?
Yes. The Beatles performed at Blair Hall in Walton, Liverpool on five occasions: 5 February, 16, 23, 29, and 30 July 1961. Blair Hall was on the second floor of the Co-operative building on Walton Road, entered via Christopher Street. The building has since been demolished.
What was Peak Promotions?
Peak Promotions ran jive events at four venues across northern England: Blair Hall and Holyoake Hall in Liverpool, the David Lewis Club in Great George Place, and Columba Hall in Widnes. The Beatles performed at three of the four venues — Blair Hall, Holyoake Hall, and the David Lewis Club — but not at Columba Hall.
Where was Blair Hall in Liverpool?
Blair Hall was on the second floor of the Co-operative building on Walton Road, Walton, Liverpool. The entrance was on Christopher Street, at the side of the building. The building was later demolished and a supermarket built on the site.
What were The Beatles doing in July 1961?
In July 1961, The Beatles were playing an intensive schedule of Cavern Club sessions and weekend dances across Merseyside, including four shows at Blair Hall (16, 23, 29 and 30 July). They had recently returned from their second Hamburg trip and were building the local following that would attract Brian Epstein’s attention later that year.
→ The Beatles live: Blair Hall, Liverpool – 23 July 1961
→ 29 July in Beatles History
→ July in Beatles History
→ Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ John Lennon: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ The Beatles Knowledge Hub
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