Philharmonic Dining Rooms

Originally a gentleman's club, this magnificent marble-fronted late Victorian building is filled with astonishing period details. The centrepiece is the mosaic-faced serving counter, from which heavily carved and polished mahogany partitions radiate under the intricately plasterworked high ceiling. The echoing main hall has stained glass depicting Boer War heroes Baden-Powell and Lord Roberts, rich panelling, a huge mosaic floor, and copper panels depicting musicians in an alcove above the fireplace. More stained glass in one of the little lounges declares 'Music is the universal language of mankind' and backs this up with illustrations of musical instruments. Two side rooms are called Brahms and Liszt, and there are a couple of plushly comfortable sitting rooms. However, this is no museum piece and it can be very busy. There are ten real ales on handpump: Cains Finest Bitter and Jennings Cumberland with guests such as Adnams Bitter, Caledonian Deuchars and Flying Dutchman, fff Pressed Rat & Warthog, Fullers London Pride, Kelham Island Best Bitter, Sharps Doom Bar, and Thwaites Original. Also, several malt whiskies and quite a few wines by the glass; quiz machine, fruit machine and background music. Don't miss the original 1890s Adamant gents' lavatory (all pink marble and mosaics); ladies are allowed a look if they ask first.