Liverpool is a city that seems to vibrate with energy. During the day, its streets are packed with tourists and shoppers, poring over Beatles memorabilia or the independent shops of the Ropewalks. Come night, and the volume goes up a notch as the bars, clubs, venues, restaurants and bistros fill up with merrymakers revelling in all that Liverpool nightlife has to offer. Whatever your tastes, Liverpool has something for you.
Cavern Club<o:p></o:p>
No break in Liverpool would be complete without a trip to the venue that kickstarted the careers of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. During the day, it’s a museum of Beatles memorabilia, but at night it carries on its work as a buzzing live venue, with two stages of music every night of the week. The resident Beatles tribute act play Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The Kazimier Garden
Based in the city’s trendy Ropewalks neighbourhood, The Kazimier Garden is unlike any other bar or venue. While the much-loved Kazimier venue may have shut its doors for the last time in on New Year’s Eve 2016, this botanical wonderland is still going strong. Bare wood, mismatched furniture, greenery and the most chilled out vibe in the city make this a popular spot day or night, only boosted by regular barbeques and a constant conveyor belt of musical talent on the bandstand.
Salt Dog Slims
This self-styled dive bar on Seel Street brings together the best of Liverpool, New York and Germany in one great little package. Step through the green curtains and be greeted by inviting bonhomie, great hotdogs, flawless cocktails and steins full of top notch beer. Ask nicely enough (or have the daily password) and you might be allowed upstairs into 81 Ltd, the speakeasy cocktail bar upstairs.
Berry & Rye<o:p></o:p>
Don’t come to this cocktail bar expecting the same old same old. Drawing heavily on pre-Prohibition influences (in both décor and drinks), the flavours are timeless but there’s endless creativity in how they’re put together. Try the Trinidad Smoke, a house special with rum, cloves and tobacco syrup that comes in a carafe full of smoke, adding theatricality to invention.
Heebie Jeebies
Heebies isn’t the place you end up at the end of the night when you’ve imbibed a little too much. It’s more the place you base your entire night out around. Located in a discreet redbrick townhouse on Seel St, only a positively tasteful neon sign above the door hints at what awaits inside. Unwind at the bar, lounge with the cool kids outside or head downstairs and dance yourself clean in Heebies Basement.
Peter Kavanagh’s
If your idea of a great night out involves sinking several pints in the corner of an eccentric old boozer then welcome to Peter Kavanagh’s, your new favourite pub. To call the interior design eclectic is not entirely doing the place justice. Dead crocodiles, urns, and copper plates adorn the wall while wooden toys and a gas mask hang from the ceiling, while live music ranges from folk to jazz. Very few pubs can be said to be truly unlike any other but Peter Kavanagh’s earns that title with aplomb.
Arts Club
Another popular spot on Seel St is the Arts Club, which has long been one of the most reliable spots in Liverpool for music. Club nights range from 90s indie discos and emo throwbacks to Medication, Liverpool’s biggest student night, but it’s the live music that puts Arts Club towards the top of the pile. Top drawer indie, folk and alternative bands from the UK and the US dominate the listings, with plenty of local heroes including Space, Craig Charles and Cast.
The Magnet<o:p></o:p>
The Magnet has been a fixture on the Liverpool scene since the late 50s, albeit under several different monikers. It was the setting for the first ever live performance from Brian May and Freddie Mercury. These days, it hosts live music, club nights, comedy and open mics, meaning you could end up sitting in a winner of “Best Bar in Liverpool” watching a future superstar.
When you’ve partied yourself out, retire to our Atlantic Tower Hotel, which boasts a city centre location right on the waterfront
