Thursday 10 August 1961 | The Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool
On 10 August 1961, The Beatles performed a lunchtime show at the Cavern Club on Mathew Street in Liverpool. It was their 24th lunchtime performance at the venue and their 32nd appearance overall. The Cavern's lunchtime sessions typically ran from 12pm to 2pm, drawing workers, students and local fans into the cellar venue that would soon become one of the most famous music clubs in the world.
The Cavern Club
The Cavern Club opened in January 1957 as a jazz venue. By 1961 it had embraced rock and roll and skiffle, and The Beatles had become its most popular resident act. The club's low brick arches, condensation-soaked walls and intimate atmosphere created a unique environment that was central to the early Beatles story.
Although the precise total of their Cavern performances is not known with certainty, The Beatles played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows at the venue. Their final performance there took place on 3 August 1963, by which point Beatlemania had made such intimate club appearances impossible to sustain.
By August 1961, The Beatles had recently returned from their second residency in Hamburg and were building a devoted local following. Their manager Brian Epstein would first see them perform at the Cavern in November 1961, a visit that would change the course of popular music history.
The Beatles at the Cavern — officially licensed merch
Beatles Cavern Shots 1962 T-Shirt in black.
The Beatles at the Cavern in 1961
The summer of 1961 was a pivotal period for The Beatles. They had returned from Hamburg in July 1960 and again in the summer of 1961, each residency sharpening their musicianship and stage presence. The Cavern lunchtime shows were a regular fixture — a chance to play to a loyal local crowd in the city that had made them.
The line-up at this time was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best on drums. Ringo Starr would not join the group until August 1962. Stuart Sutcliffe, who had played bass in the Hamburg line-ups, had remained in Germany and would die there in April 1962.
The Beatles at the Cavern — officially licensed merch
Beatles The Cavern T-Shirt in black.
Key Facts
| Date | Thursday 10 August 1961 |
| Venue | The Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool |
| Session type | Lunchtime (typically 12pm–2pm) |
| Lunchtime show number | 24th lunchtime performance at the Cavern |
| Overall Cavern appearance | 32nd appearance overall |
| Line-up | John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best |
| Total Cavern shows | At least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows |
| Final Cavern show | 3 August 1963 |
The Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool — where The Beatles performed on 10 August 1961.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times did The Beatles play the Cavern Club?
The Beatles played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows at the Cavern Club, though the precise total is not known with certainty. Their final performance there was on 3 August 1963.
What time did The Beatles play their Cavern lunchtime shows?
The Beatles' Cavern lunchtime shows typically ran from 12pm to 2pm, drawing local workers, students and fans to the Mathew Street cellar venue.
Who was in The Beatles in August 1961?
In August 1961, The Beatles comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Pete Best on drums. Ringo Starr did not join until August 1962.
When did Brian Epstein first see The Beatles at the Cavern?
Brian Epstein first saw The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in November 1961. He became their manager shortly afterwards, a relationship that would transform their career.
→ The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime) – 9 August 1961
→ The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime) – 8 August 1961
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