The history of the Cavern can be divided into 3 distinct periods.
Click the years for a more detailed history.

The Cavern Club opened its doors for the first time on January 16th 1957. Initially it was a jazz club which was gradually infiltrated by skiffle groups, followed by blues bands and eventually Beat groups, playing a brand of rock n' roll which became known as Merseybeat. Between 1961 and 1963 The Beatles made almost 300 appearances. From 1963 through till 1973, many of the great names of popular music appeared at the Club.  >> More

The Club closed in March 1973 and didn't open its doors again until 1984. It was during this period that the myths surrounding the Cavern began to take shape.   >> More

Rebuilt and remodelled, the club re-opened in April 1984. It was not until the 1990's that the Club once again became a live music venue.  The Cavern celebrated its 40th birthday in 1997 although for many cynics it could not replace the original. This cynicism came to an abrupt end on 14th December 1999, when Paul McCartney performed his last gig of the century on the Cavern stage, giving the Club his personal endorsement and the world the recognition it truly deserves; living up to it's title 'The Most Famous Club In The World'.   >> More

On 16th January 1997, the Cavern Club celebrated it's 40th anniversary by throwing a huge party and unveiling the "Wall of Fame".  Click the logo to discover how the occasion was commemorated.