Old Rope Walks opens fifth pub

Old Rope Walks has announced the opening of its fifth site, following a £750k investment scheme with Star Pubs and Bars.

The new site, named The Butterfly and the Grasshopper, will open today (28 November) in Renshaw Street, Liverpool.

The pub marks the third collaboration between Old Rope Walks and Star Pubs and Bars.

The new site will span across three floors, and feature a traditional ground floor bar that serves a menu of “extensive and carefully crafted” spirits and cocktails, premium beers, wines, natural wines and coffee.

Also featured is a first floor kitchen and roof garden-style restaurant, alongside a gin and cocktail bar on the top floor.

David Gale will lead the kitchen as executive chef. He previously worked as group head chef at Selfridges, as well as group head chef for Ian Shrager hotels. His menu will feature steak and mussel dishes, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. 

Food is expected to account for 40% of the pub’s trade.

The site’s decor is described as a “modernist take on arts and crafts”, with a design that “juxtaposes nineteenth century and contemporary furniture, features and artwork”. 

It is said to have been inspired by ‘The Butterfly’s Ball and The Grasshopper’s Feast’, a children’s poem written by Liverpool MP William Roscoe in 1810, from which the site also gained its name. 

Old Rope Walks hopes to expand further into the North West and is currently looking at other sites in Liverpool and Manchester. 

It says it is “interested in freehold and leased period sites that have the potential to be given a distinctive new identity by one of its eclectic design schemes.”

Old Rope Walks managing director, Mike Girling, said: “The opening of The Butterfly and Grasshopper helps us cement our position within the city’s competitive market and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Liverpool. It’s great to play such a key role in its fantastic hospitality sector.”

Phil McWilliam, Star Pubs and Bars business development manager, said: “We’ve been delighted to back Old Rope Walks in delivering their vision for The Butterfly and the Grasshopper. 

“The company is well known in Liverpool for their iconic pubs and bars and The Butterfly and the Grasshopper is set to follow suit.” 

He added: “It’s completely unique, highly imaginative and finished to a very high specification. It will be a real destination venue.”