The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime) – 16 July 1962

Monday 16 July 1962 | Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool

On 16 July 1962, The Beatles gave their 115th lunchtime performance at the Cavern Club on Mathew Street in Liverpool's city centre — their 197th known appearance overall at the soon-to-be-famous cellar venue, including evening events.

The group's lunchtime shows typically ran from 12pm to 2pm.


The Cavern Club

By July 1962, the Cavern Club was the undisputed home of Merseybeat. The Beatles had been playing the venue since February 1961 and had built a devoted local following through relentless lunchtime and evening appearances. Within weeks of this show, Ringo Starr would replace Pete Best on drums, and the group would record their debut single Love Me Do at EMI Studios in London.

The Cavern's lunchtime sessions drew office workers, students and teenagers from across Liverpool, packing the low-ceilinged cellar on Mathew Street for two hours of live music. The atmosphere was unlike anything else in British popular music at the time.


The Beatles at the Cavern: By the Numbers

Date Monday 16 July 1962
Venue Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool
Session type Lunchtime (12pm – 2pm)
Lunchtime show number 115th
Overall Cavern appearance 197th known
Total lunchtime shows At least 155 (9 Feb 1961 – 3 Aug 1963)
Total evening shows At least 125 (9 Feb 1961 – 3 Aug 1963)

The Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool — the venue where The Beatles performed at least 280 times between 1961 and 1963.

The Beatles: Cavern Club Magnetic BookMark

Celebrate the Cavern Club — the venue that made The Beatles

Officially licensed Beatles Cavern Club merchandise.

The Beatles: Cavern Club Magnetic BookMark →


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 between 9 February 1961 and 3 August 1963, giving a minimum of 280 known appearances. The precise total is not known due to incomplete records.

What time were the Cavern Club lunchtime sessions?

The Beatles' Cavern Club lunchtime sessions typically ran from 12pm to 2pm, drawing office workers, students and teenagers from across Liverpool.

When did The Beatles first play the Cavern Club?

The Beatles' first performance at the Cavern Club was on 9 February 1961. They continued to play the venue regularly until their final Cavern appearance on 3 August 1963.

When was The Beatles' last Cavern Club performance?

The Beatles' final performance at the Cavern Club was on 3 August 1963, by which time they were already a national phenomenon following the success of Please Please Me and From Me To You.


16 July in Beatles History
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