The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime) – 4 August 1961

Name: The Beatles live: Cavern Club, Liverpool (lunchtime)
Start: 1961-08-04T12:00
Location: Cavern Club

August 4, 2026

Friday 4 August 1961 | Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool (lunchtime)

On 4 August 1961, The Beatles performed their 22nd lunchtime show at the Cavern Club on Mathew Street in Liverpool — their 28th appearance at the venue overall. Lunchtime shows at the Cavern typically ran from 12pm to 2pm, drawing workers, students and devoted fans into the cellar on Mathew Street that would soon become one of the most famous music venues in the world.

The Cavern Club

The Cavern Club on Mathew Street in Liverpool had opened in 1957 as a jazz venue. By 1961, it had become the heartbeat of the Merseybeat scene, hosting lunchtime and evening sessions that drew the best local acts — and none more so than The Beatles. The cellar venue's low brick arches, condensation-soaked walls and packed audiences created an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Britain.

The Beatles first performed at the Cavern on 9 February 1961 and would go on to play there until 3 August 1963. Although the precise total of their appearances is not known, they played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows — a remarkable record of sustained live performance that forged the tight, powerful sound they would take to the world.

Official Beatles The Cavern T-Shirt Black

The Cavern Club — officially licensed Beatles merch

Official Beatles “The Cavern” T-Shirt in black — for true Cavern Club die-hards.

Official Beatles “The Cavern” T-Shirt →

Key Facts

Date	Friday 4 August 1961
Venue	Cavern Club, Mathew Street, Liverpool
Session	Lunchtime (typically 12pm–2pm)
Lunchtime appearance number	22nd lunchtime show
Overall appearance number	28th appearance at the Cavern
Line-up	John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best
Total Cavern appearances	At least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows (9 Feb 1961 – 3 Aug 1963)

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

Official Beatles Cavern Shots 1962 T-Shirt Black

The Beatles in Liverpool, 1962 — on a T-shirt

Official Beatles “Cavern Shots 1962” T-Shirt — officially licensed Cavern Club era merch.

Official Beatles “Cavern Shots 1962” T-Shirt →

The Beatles at the Cavern: 1961

By August 1961, The Beatles were the undisputed kings of the Cavern. They had returned from their second Hamburg residency earlier in the year, where marathon sets at the Kaiserkeller and Top Ten Club had sharpened their sound and stamina beyond anything their Liverpool contemporaries could match. The Cavern lunchtime sessions were a regular fixture in their schedule — a chance to play to a devoted local audience while continuing to build the reputation that would soon attract the attention of Brian Epstein.

The line-up at this time was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best on drums. Stuart Sutcliffe had remained in Hamburg. Ringo Starr would not replace Pete Best until August 1962.

Other confirmed Cavern lunchtime appearances in July and August 1961 include 14 July, 17 July, and 19 July 1961.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times did The Beatles play the Cavern Club?

The precise number of Beatles performances at the Cavern Club is not known, but they played at least 155 lunchtime and 125 evening shows between 9 February 1961 and 3 August 1963 — a total of at least 280 appearances.

What time did the Cavern Club lunchtime sessions start?

The Cavern Club lunchtime sessions typically ran from 12pm to 2pm, drawing workers, students and fans into the cellar venue on Mathew Street during their lunch breaks.

Who was in The Beatles at the Cavern Club in 1961?

In 1961, The Beatles' line-up at the Cavern Club was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best on drums. Stuart Sutcliffe had remained in Hamburg. Ringo Starr did not join until August 1962.