Wednesday 19 July 1961 | Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool
On 19 July 1961, The Beatles gave their 16th lunchtime performance at the Cavern Club on Mathew Street in Liverpool's city centre — their 18th appearance overall at the underground venue. The group's lunchtime shows in the cellar club typically ran from 12pm to 2pm.
This was also the second occasion on which The Beatles performed both a lunchtime and an evening show on the same day at the Cavern. In the evening they gave their third late show at the club.
Although the precise number of their Cavern performances is not known, The Beatles played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows between 9 February 1961 and 3 August 1963.
The Cavern Club
By the summer of 1961, the Cavern Club on Mathew Street had become the undisputed home of Merseybeat. The Beatles had been playing the venue since February 1961 and were building a devoted local following through relentless lunchtime and evening appearances. The Cavern's lunchtime sessions drew office workers, students and teenagers from across Liverpool, packing the low-ceilinged cellar for two hours of live music.
The double-header format — lunchtime and evening shows on the same day — was still a relative novelty in July 1961. The 19th marked only the second time The Beatles had undertaken this demanding schedule at the Cavern, a pattern that would become increasingly common as their popularity grew and demand for their performances intensified throughout 1961 and into 1962.
The Beatles at the Cavern: By the Numbers
| Date | Wednesday 19 July 1961 |
| Venue | Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool |
| Session type | Lunchtime (12pm – 2pm) |
| Lunchtime show number | 16th |
| Overall Cavern appearance | 18th |
| Evening show number | 3rd late show |
| Double-header occasion | 2nd time performing both lunchtime and evening on the same day |
| 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.
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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.
Did The Beatles ever play both a lunchtime and evening show at the Cavern on the same day?
Yes. The Beatles performed both lunchtime and evening shows at the Cavern Club on the same day on multiple occasions. The 19 July 1961 double-header was only the second time they had done so.
→ 19 July in Beatles History
→ July in Beatles History
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→ Paul McCartney: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ George Harrison: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
→ Ringo Starr: Beatles History, Solo Career, Songs & Legacy
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