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For other places with the same name, see Liverpool (disambiguation).

Liverpool is a city in Merseyside, England, within the historic county boundaries of Lancashire, famed for its football teams, the Grand National horse race, music (including The Beatles), vibrant nightlife and its links with the arts and culture. Historically the city served as one of the leading ports linking Europe to the Americas, expanding to become England's second most populated city by the census of 1861, before slowly declining after 1921 as levels of transatlantic shipping dropped. Before airline travel, many Europeans migrating to the New World passed through the city, particularly the Italians and Irish; to this day the city enjoys a large Irish community, with impressive cathedrals for both Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths. In the 18th and early 19th century the port also acted as a gateway for the slave trade, with echoes of this period still evident in places around the city (Penny Lane is named after a slave ship owner, for example). Recent years have seen a comprehensive regeneration of the city centre, creating an influx of new shops, boutiques, and large performance/conference arenas near the waterfront; this has resulted in an upturn in population figures. The regenerated city now plays regular host to national and international conference, media and music events; examples include major political party conferences, the BBC Worldwide Showcase, the MTV Europe Awards, and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.

All this means that Liverpool is chiefly a 19th century city with tall buildings, which can be somewhat intimidating at times. "Cosy" is probably not an attribute you would use for it, and the Mersey waterfront (see photo above) is, perhaps disappointingly, nowhere a place you sit down to have a coffee (except in the Albert Docks, but these do not face the Mersey).

Understand

The Three Graces, Pier Head, Liverpool

Liverpool is a city with great cultural heritage and was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2008, with the famous Pier Head Waterfront being a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. Liverpool is home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and is also renowned for nurturing the talents of a wide range of musicians and band such as The Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Echo and the Bunnymen, Elvis Costello and many more. The city possesses the largest national museum collection outside of London and has a fascinating and turbulent history as a great world maritime centre. Liverpool is home to Europe's oldest Chinatown. The famous Grand National Horse Race takes place in the outskirts of the city (Aintree). It is also home to two very successful Premier League football clubs, Liverpool and Everton.

Get in

By plane

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL  IATA) is about 12 km to the south of the city centre.. Around 160 flights arrive daily from within the UK and Europe. The airport is well-served by low-cost airlines including Easyjet and Ryanair. For a complete listing of airlines and destinations, please see the destination list.

Immediately outside the arrivals area you will find a taxi rank and bus stops. Taxis to the city centre cost around £12 for the 20 minute journey.

Several bus routes go directly to the city centre from the airport:

  • The No. 500 Airport Express runs every 30 minutes and takes about 45 minutes to reach the city centre. Cost is £2.60 Adults, £1 Children and £5 Families. Student discount: £1.40.

The following local buses cost £2.10 to get into the city centre. They are as quick and cheaper to use than the Airport Express:

  • The No. 80A, run by Arriva, runs every 15 minutes and takes 45 minutes to the city centre.
  • The No. 82A, also run by Arriva, runs every 30 minutes and takes around 40 minutes to the city centre. This runs direct to Paradise Street interchange without stopping elsewhere in the city centre.
  • The No. 86A (Arriva) runs every 15 minutes during the day and now runs through the night, every half hour. This takes a little less time than the 80A as it is a more direct route down Smithdown Road. Journey time is 40 minutes but may be longer at peak traffic times.
  • The No. 81A also serves the airport, but does not go into the city centre. It may prove useful if you want to visit Woolton or the north of the city, as the route goes round the city ring road, Queens Drive, and terminates in Bootle.

The 80A and 86A also stop at Liverpool South Parkway station. It's a 10 minutes journey from where a frequent train service runs to the city centre in about 15 minutes. This may be a better option at times of peak road traffic (08:00-09:00, 17:00-18:00).

The airport offers a Fast Track service, which for a charge, means you can bypass the queue at security, but this tends to be worthwhile only for first flights of the day or if you risk missing your flight.

Manchester Airport (MAN IATA) can also be used and may be a better option. It is about a 45-60 minute drive away from Liverpool. Direct train services also run between Liverpool Lime Street Station and Manchester Airport operated by Northern Rail. Manchester Airport serves a variety of long haul destinations in North America and Asia, as well as short haul services throughout Europe.

Car parks serving Liverpool Airport
Address On/Off Airport Distance / Transfer Time Security Park Mark®
Award 		Additional Information
Liverpool Premium Parking Liverpool John Lennon Airport,
Liverpool, L24 1YD 		On On Airport Close to the Terminals/ Walking Distance CCTV, high perimeter fencing, security patrols. Yes Trailers are not permitted. Maximum size vehicles should fit in one parking space
Liverpool Airport Long Stay Liverpool John Lennon Airport,
Liverpool, L24 1YD 		On 0.2 miles / Walking distance CCTV, regular security patrols 24 hours a day, high fencing and flood lights - Maximum sized vehicle should fit in one parking space, no trailers allowed
Liverpool Skypark Indoor Liverpool John Lennon Airport,
Bristol, BS48 3DY 		Off 0.2 miles / 1.5 minutes Security barrier, CCTV, perimeter fencing and security patrols - Trailers are allowed and also no vehicle bigger than a transit van.
Liverpool Skypark Meet and Greet Customers' vehicles are parked in a secure, on-airport car park. Met at the terminal Customer is met at terminal. No transfer required. 24 hour security patrols, CCTV, a crash barrier and electronic shutters - Customer is met at the terminal upon departure and arrival.

By train

Liverpool Central

Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom.

Liverpool is served by Liverpool Lime Street station which is in the heart of the city centre. Trains arrive frequently from all parts of the U.K.

Liverpool is only about two hours from London by train. There's a train about every hour, with extra weekday evening peak services from London, and it's not too expensive to get there. You can get a saver ticket for £60 on the day of travel, or for as little as £8.00 if you book a couple of weeks in advance. Tickets are released three months in advance.

There is a direct train from Manchester Airport to Liverpool every hour at peak times (around 06:30–19:30). In addition, it is possible to reach Liverpool by changing at Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road.

Other main services

Birmingham, 1 hr 30 - 1h 45 minutes, half hourly Manchester, 50 minutes - 1h 10 minutes, 5 trains an hour (3 fast to Piccadilly and Oxford Road, of which 1 via Earlestown and 2 via Warrington, 1 slow to Oxford Road (extra services in peak times) and 1 slow to Victoria) Leeds, 2 hours, hourly Sheffield and Nottingham, 1h 30 mins and 3 hours respectively, hourly

By bus

  • National Express, the UK's largest scheduled coach company has a bus station on Norton Street (from 15-1-2016, National Express will use Liverpool One Bus Station -- the Norton Street Coach Station will close on 14-1-2016). London is four to five hours away by coach and is served by a half a dozen services per day. Manchester is served by an hourly service taking a similar time to the train (except at rush hour). Manchester Airport can be reached by coach in under one hour, six coaches run per day.
  • Megabus operates a network across the UK. There is one bus daily from London to Liverpool. Journey time 4–5 hours. Prices also start at £1 and then increase depending on how far in advance you book. Megabus use the Liverpool One Coach Station.

Over the next 10 years a Park and Ride scheme will be developed, with easy access to the city centre, for more information see National Park and Ride Directory.

  • Liverpool One Executive Travel Provides an executive 16 seat minibus service from all airports, seaports and other locations. Prices vary depending on distances. Call 07761042952 or visit the website for further information.

Get around

If you need a map, the certainly best one is by Andrew Taylor and called Liverpool City Centre. The scale is 1:3,500, i.e. 18 inches to one mile. The map is so detailed it even names shops and so on. (Can be bought at news from nowhere in Bold St.)

Map
53°24′4″N 2°55′23″W
Map of Liverpool

Liverpool City Centre is small enough to walk around, but black cabs are plentiful if you are feeling lazy.

By ferry

  • The Mersey Ferry, ☏ +44 151 639-0609 (Head Office). Probably the nicest way to get to the Wirral an back. Immortalised by the hit song Ferry Cross the Mersey by Gerry & the Pacemakers, the Mersey ferries offer a fun day out and a good way to see Liverpool from afar. 


Public transport

Buses run out from the centre regularly from Liverpool ONE Bus Station (mainly to the south) and Queen Square (mainly north/east). Both bus stations have travel centres with staff who will assist with which bus to get and from where. These travel centres also stock free transport guides and detailed timetable leaflets for each bus and train service. Highly recommended are the free 'map and guide' leaflets of the four main transport areas: Liverpool, Wirral, Southport and St. Helens; these giant fold-out street maps show at a glance the route of every bus service (individual service leaflets are required for timetable information).

In terms of pre-paid travel passes, Saveaway, Solo and Trio travel passes can be purchased from travel centres or Merseyrail stations. Liverpool and its surrounding areas are divided up into areas, each sub-divided into zones: the cost of each ticket typically depends upon how many zones/areas the purchaser wants to travel in. If a journey takes the ticket holder outside the boundary allowed by their ticket, they can typically purchase a regular ticket on the bus or train to cover just the extra required.

  • Solo and Trio passes are perhaps better suited to long stays in the city, such as students or visiting workers who travel regularly on public transport. They are weekly, monthly or annual travel passes tied to a specific person, featuring a passport-style photo of the owner, usable at any time of the day. Solo tickets may be used only on buses; Trio tickets may be used on buses, ferries or Merseyrail trains. The initial pass may only be purchased from Merseytravel centres, but once acquired may be renewed (up to three days before expiry) at any travel or train station in Merseyside. It is possible to renew Solo or Trio tickets by any duration: for example, it is permitted to add just a single week onto a ticket initially purchased as a monthly ticket.
  • Saveaway tickets are ideal for the majority of short term visitors, such as tourists. They are cheap, disposable, off-peak (after 09:30) single-day tickets that cover buses, ferries and Merseyrail trains. Unlike the other tickets, Saveaways are also sold in some corner shops and libraries. Saveaway tickets may be bulk purchased in advance; each ticket is a scratch card that allows the owner to choose its date of use. They may also be used by more than one person (although not at the same time, obviously!) They are priced at £3.40 for unlimited off-peak travel in 'Area C' (covering the city centre, west out to Huyton, north to Crosby and south to Speke), and £4.60 for an 'All-Zone' ticket covering the whole of the Merseytravel area (perfect for visiting the Wirral, Chester or Southport).

The main 'metro style' train stations in the city centre are Central, Lime Street, Moorfields and James Street. Lime Street is the terminus for many national lines and the local city line to Manchester. Moorfields is just off Dale Street, ideal for the business centre of Liverpool and Central is usually used by shoppers and visitors. Local trains run very frequently between Hunts Cross, Kirkby, Ormskirk and Southport on the Northern line. They run every 15 minutes from Monday to Saturday and 30 minutes on Sunday. Central station is the main station for the Northern line, although the 'loop' links the three main city centre stations. The Wirral line forms the link between the Lime Street, Moorfields and Central, so all of these stations act as an interchange between the City, Northern and Wirral lines.

A new station in the south of Liverpool replaced the old Garston and Allerton stations in June 2006. This links the Northern and City lines and is ideal for the airport. It also acts as an interchange for a number of local buses.

Adult bus fares on the main operators are: Arriva flat fare of £1.90 throughout the Liverpool area, £3.70 for Liverpool area Day Ticket, £4.40 for Northwest area. Stagecoach flat fare of £1.80 throughout the Liverpool area, £3.30 for Liverpool area Day Ticket, £3.60 for Northwest area. Arriva and Stagecoach Day and Weekly tickets my be used on either companies buses on new Quality Partnership Routes 10/10A/10B/10C(Huyton,St Helens), 86/86A/86D/86E(Speke,Airport,South Parkway), 53/53A (Crosby,Aintree), 14/14X (Croxteth,Kirkby) Similar flat fares are available from the other operators as well. There are also limited night bus services on a Saturday night costing £3.00.

Some buses are subsidised by Merseytravel, such as early morning and hospital services, and there is a fixed fare of £1.10. This includes the City Centre Circular buses C1 to C5.

If you plan to travel a lot, a prepaid pass presents much better value. Generally speaking, you save money with two or more train trips or three or more bus journeys.

(prices correct as at 29 Nov 2011)

By bike

There exists a useful cycle map of Liverpool called 'Liverpool Cycle Map' apparently jointly issued by Merseytravel, the Liverpool City Council, and Travelwise Merseyside. It is free and can be ordered at 0151 330 1253, or http://www.letstravelwise.org/content227_Cycling.html. You might be lucky to be given one at a store, such as GIANT.

It's the largest public bicycle hire scheme in the country outside London and there will soon will be a total of 1,000 bikes available to hire spread across 160 locations. You need to register if you want to participate (available by internet or phone call). If you want to hire a bike for a longer time at a stretch, Citybike may not be too convenient. £3 per day, £9 for a week or £60 for a year. (updated Jun 2015)

  • GIANT, Parliament St, opposite Grafton St. Opens at 10. A bicycle dealer which also rents out bikes of the very upmarket type. Their policy seems to be not to rent out locks to avoid any responsibility if the bike gets stolen (which seems an unusual idea, but that seems to be what they do), so be prepared to bring a lock or buy one from them. Nice staff. £40 for 2 days. (updated Aug 2015)

See

Old (St. Nicholas and Our Lady Church) and new architecture

A great thing about Liverpool is the architecture. For so long it was neglected and run down, but these days most of the city centre is quite splendid.

Pier Head

The harbour of Liverpool has played a very important role in modern history of the city. The wharf area drained by the Mersey River gives to the city an air of antiquity, which is quite strange and interesting because of the contrast between modern buildings and conventional buildings. The Pier Head has been considered as world heritage by UNESCO

  • 1 Royal Liver Building (on the riverside). Iconic symbol of Liverpool waterfront - this 1911 skyscraper still dominates the distinctive Liverpool skyline.This is the home of the legendary Liver Birds that sit atop the building looking out across to the Wirral. The river-facing face of the clock is six feet larger in diameter than that of the clock tower at Westminster. 
  • Fab4D Cinema, Pier Head. Is a film telling a story using The Beatles as a theme. 
  • 2 Canada Boulevard, The Pierhead. Runs the entire length of the Three Graces frontage and consists of a boulevard of maple trees with plaques laid into the pavement listing the Canadian ships lost during the Second World war. 

Albert Dock

  • 3 Albert Dock (on the riverside). This is one of the more sophisticated places in Liverpool and is situated in the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK. Old warehouses have been converted into shops, apartments, restaurants, pubs, hotels, galleries and museums. For fans of the old This Morning with Richard and Judy TV programme this is also where the 3D island weather map was situated in the centre of the dock on the water. Free. 


City centre

  • 4 St. George's Hall, Lime St (near railway station). A mammoth of a Greco-Roman-style building which was built by wealthy merchants for the people of the city. It is arguably the finest neo-classical building in Western Europe, and has recently been thoroughly restored for Capital of Culture Year. Inside it has one of the best church organs in Europe. On the outside it has a selection of classical murals which were thought quite shocking in their day (due to the shameful female nudity). Free. 
  • 5 World Museum Liverpool, William Brown Street, L3 8EN (near St. George's Hall). This is a fine building and well worth a visit. It contains an excellent collection of British rocketry exhibits, as well as the best Egyptological collection outside London. Free. 
  • 6 Liverpool Central Library (near St. George's Hall). This is another fine building, boasting a beautiful circular reading room. Free. 
  • 7 Walker Art Gallery, William Brown Street, L3 8EL (near St George's Hall), ☏ +44 151 478-4199. Daily 10AM-5PM. A nice neoclassical building opened in 1871, which forms an ensemble with the Central Library. Free. 
  • 8 Liverpool Town Hall. Built in 1754, the Official Residence of Liverpool's Lord Mayor is an elegant stone building, having two fronts; one towards Castle Street, the other towards the area formed by the New Exchange Buildings. Each front consists of an elegant range of Corinthian columns, supporting a pediment, and are themselves supported by a rustic base. Between the capitals are heads, and emblems of commerce in basso-relievo; and on the pediment of the grand front is a noble piece of sculpture representing Commerce committing her treasures to the race of Neptune. 
  • 9 Victoria Gallery & Museum, Ashton Street, L69 3DR (near the Catholic Cathedral), ☏ +44 151 794-2348, . Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00. The University of Liverpool's museum comprising their art collection and artefacts housed in an amazing Gothic building which coined the term 'red brick university'. 
  • 10 Williamson's Tunnels, The Old Stable Yard, Smithdown Lane, L7 3EE, ☏ +44 151 709-6868, . Heritage Centre T-Su. In the early 1800s, a Liverpool tobacco merchant, Joseph Williamson, funded the construction of an enormous labyrinth of tunnels under the Edge Hill area of Liverpool. Nobody knows his reasons for doing so though many guess it as an act of philanthropy, using his wealth to provide jobs and training for thousands of Liverpool workers. There is also a Williamson's Tunnels Heritage Centre. 
  • 11 The Bluecoat, School Lane, L1 3BX, ☏ +44 151 702-5324, . Daily 10:00-18:00. The Bluecoat is the oldest Grade 1 listed building in Liverpool’s city centre, dating back to 1717. Following a £14.5m redevelopment, it re-opened in March 2008 with a new wing of galleries and a state-of-the-art performance space. It showcases talent across artistic disciplines including visual art, music, literature, dance and live art. It helps nurture new talent by providing studio spaces for artists. Free. 

Religious buildings

The Anglican Cathedral
  • 12 Our Lady and St. Nicholas church (just off the riverside). This is the city's parish church and home to the third Liver Bird (there are in fact three of them, not two). 
  • 13 Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King (Paddy's Wigwam), Cathedral House, Mount Pleasant, L3 5TQ, ☏ +44 151 709-9222. Catholic. Affectionately known by the locals as Paddy's Wigwam or "the Pope's launching pad". Visit on a sunny day as the stained glass ceiling looks fantastic! Free. 
  • 14 Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican Cathedral), St James Mount, L1 7AZ, ☏ +44 151 709-6271. It may not look like a wigwam, but is so imposing that the architect of Lord Derby's tomb claimed that no self-respecting church mouse would live there. As a result, he incorporated a mouse into the design of the tomb - it's just under Lord Derby's pillow. Liverpool Cathedral is one of the finest examples in the world of Gothic revival architecture. On a clear day, the tower affords breathtaking views over Liverpool, Merseyside and beyond. Free. 
  • 15 Princes Road Synagogue (Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation). This is an impressive combination of Gothic and Moorish architecture by the Audsley brothers. The colourful interior has to be seen to be believed. Tours can be arranged through their web site. 
  • 16 Greek Orthodox Church of St Nicholas, Princess Road, Toxteth, Liverpool, L8 1XB, ☏ +44 151 724-3500, . Dedicated to St Nicholas the patron saint of seafarers. Built between 1865 and 1870, it was the second purpose built Greek Orthodox Church in England. The architecture of the building is a typical example of the Byzantine style as used in many Eastern Greek Churches. A typical feature is the four domes of the building. Henry Summers, a master builder who built many fine buildings in the city, was commissioned to build the church. 
  • 17 St Brides, Percy St, L8 7LT. 
  • St Philip Neri. 
  • 18 The Nordic Church (Gustaf Adolfs Kyrka, or locally as the Swedish Church), 138 Park Lane, L1 8HG, ☏ +44 151 709-7763. 
  • St Luke's Church (The Bombed-Out Church, Church of St Luke), on the corner of Berry St and Leece St (From the city centre, just walk up Bold St). St Luke's Church was badly damaged during the Liverpool Blitz in 1941, and remains as a roofless shell. It now stands as a memorial to those who were lost in the war, and is also a venue for exhibitions and events (such as, open-air cinema). (updated Aug 2015)

Around Liverpool

  • 20 Croxteth Hall and Country Park.  This is one of Liverpool's most important heritage sites, one of "the finest working country estates in the North West" and was the winner of the European Capital of Culture 2008. The park is at the heart of what was once a great country estate stretching hundreds of square miles and was the ancestral home of the Molyneux family, the Earls of Sefton. After the death of the last Earl it was given to the City of Liverpool. The estate has four main attractions - The Historic Hall, Croxteth Home Farm, the Victorian Walled Garden and a 500 acre country park including the new Croxteth Local Nature Reserve. A new addition to what's on offer at Croxteth is the West Derby Courthouse. Dating from the reign of Elizabeth I, this is one of the oldest public buildings in Liverpool.
  • 21 Sudley House, Mossley Hill Road, Aigburth. An art gallery which contains the collection of George Holt in its original setting. It includes work by Thomas Gainsborough, Joshua Reynolds, Edwin Landseer and J. M. W. Turner. Free. 
  • Wavertree Botanic Gardens. 


Guided Tours

For those in a hurry there are a number of operators offering guided tours, either using their own transportation or offering their services as "hop-on, hop-off Guides" on your coach or offering guided walks. The best way of getting an overview of the city, is by taking the City Explorer open-top bus [1] run by Maghull Coaches. With 12 stops you can hop on and off all day. Qualified local guides provide the commentary and can answer your questions about the city. For Beatles fans, there is the Magical Mystery Tour which will take you around the places associated with the Beatles both in the city centre and in the suburbs. For a more tailored tour, there's Liverpool Entente Cordiale Tours. Their Liverpool tour guides can plan a walk for you or hop on your coach and guide you around the city. They offer tours in English or French.

  • Liverpool Cycle Tours, ☏ +44 7986 139 531. They have 4 scheduled tours, all of which run in small groups of no more than 10 people. Discounts may be available by email. (updated Jun 2015)
  • Shiverpool. This offers three different tours around Liverpool. The Hope Street shivers is based around the Cathedrals, Auld city shivers starting from the slaughterhouse pub on Fenwick Street and Shiver me Timbers based around the Albert Docks. Wrap up warm. Prior booking required. 


Do

More than one category

  • The Bluecoat, School Lane, L1 3BX, ☏ +44 151 702-5324, . The Bluecoat (not to be confused with The Bluecoat School, which is a grammar school in Wavertree) is a world-famous prestigious school dating back to the 18th century, and is one of the oldest arts schools in Europe. It hosts arts exhibitions as well as music and literary events, but also offers tuition in fine art, music and literature. 


Music

  • Mathew Street Festival. The Mathew Street festival is a large and world famous music festival celebrated in Liverpool during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Over half a million people attend the event which hosts the largest outdoor music festival in Europe. 
  • Arts Club, 90 Seel St, L1 4BH, ☏ +44 151 559-3773. A concert venue which hosts things like Jazz concerts with well-known artists. Nice size (might accommodate around 400 people; there are no seats). Tickts in the range of ₤20 to 30. 


Theatre

  • 3 Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime St, L1 1JE, ☏ +44 151 702-7320. The Empire plays host to a wide range of shows, including many UK tours of large-scale musicals. the Unity theatre produces a diverse range of work. There's also the Epstein and Royal Court theatres. Check Lipa (www.lipa.ac.uk) for performance information, their student shows can be worth seeing. 


Comedy

Comedy nights are featured on Friday and Saturday at Baby Blue, a nice club on the exclusive Albert Dock, which is known as a celebrity hotspot. Check online [2] for more info and tickets.

Also for laughs, try Rawhide at the Royal Court Theater which showcases some of the best in regional and national comedy talent.

Every June or July there is a fortnight long *Liverpool Comedy Festival which takes place in venues across the city. One event not to be missed is the now legendary Drink up Stand up pub crawls which includes four pubs, four comedians, one compere (host) and a megaphone!

On the first Tuesday of the month the Fab Café on Hope Street hosts a comedy night with two or three local comics plus a compere.

Express Comedy, [3]. Based in Birkenhead across the river Mersey, Express Comedy has a stand-up comedy night called Laughter at the Lauries.


Arts

  • 7 Tate Liverpool, Albert Dock, L3 4BB, ☏ +44 151 702-7400 (information), +44 845 604 7083 (ticket office), . A fine modern art gallery. A definite visit for arty folk. The Turner Art Prize was hosted here from 19 October 2007 to 13 January 2008. This was the first time the award was held outside of London. Free (charge for some exhibitions).. 
  • 9 Wolstenholme Creative Space, 11 Wolstenholme Square, L1 4JJ (between Duke Street, Slater Street, Hannover Street & Seel Street. Look for the balls.), . Wolstenholme is an artist run gallery and studio space situated within a beautiful listed ex textile factory in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Info can be found on the website or just by dropping by, you may be fortunate enough to stumble upon some impromptu happening. 


Museums

  • 10 Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, L3 4AQ (on the Liverpool waterfront), ☏ +44 151 478-4499. 10:00-17:00 daily. Dedicated to the maritime history of the city, complete with galleries on customs and excise and emigration to the New World. There are also a number of vessels to see, such as the Mersey river tug Brocklebank and the river cargo carrier Wyncham. A museum permanent gallery is devoted to the Titanic, Lusitania and Empress of Ireland, ocean liners lost at sea from 1912-1915 with a total of 3,700 fatalities. free. 
  • International Slavery Museum, Albert Dock, L3 4AX (Within the Merseyside Maritime Museum), ☏ +44 151 478-4499. 10:00-17:00. "Our aim is to address ignorance and misunderstanding by looking at the deep and permanent impact of slavery and the slave trade on Africa, South America, the USA, the Caribbean and Western Europe. Thus we will increase our understanding of the world around us." Dr David Fleming OBE, director, National Museums Liverpool Free. 
  • Western Approaches. A museum in the once a top-secret nerve centre in World War Two Britain. This command centre based in Liverpool's city centre is underground and was the key communication point to Britain's gallant fleet of Royal Navy warships based in the Atlantic ocean. 
  • Spaceport Liverpool. Interactive science museum aimed at children and young adults but with enough to keep adults entertained too. Located across the River Mersey in the Seacombe ferry terminal, most visitors incorporate a Mersey Ferry tour into their itinerary. 
  • 22 The Beatles Story, Albert Dock, L3 4AD, ☏ +44 151 709-1963, . The Beatles originated in Liverpool. The Beatles Story is the only museum in the world that is entirely Beatles-themed, with exhibitions such as their instruments and other artifacts. Other attractions based on The Beatles include their homes, Penny Lane, commemorative statues, Strawberry Fields and others. £12.25 (adult). 

Sports events

Trivia

Liverpool's Kop end at Anfield was named after Spioenkop (Spy Hill) in KwaZulu-Natal. The Lancashire brigade comprised the largest part of the British forces during the Battle of Spioenkop and, when they returned to Britain, the earth mound at Anfield (used by spectators to get a clear view of the game, before any of the stands were built) reminded them of Spioenkop

  • 11 Liverpool FC, Anfield Rd, L4 0TH, ☏ +44 151 260-6677. Liverpool are one of the most successful clubs in the history of English football, and are one of the most famous clubs in the world, Liverpool have won a British record five European Cups. Their fans are famous the world over for the unique atmosphere they create at Anfield and the singing of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' on matchdays. They have a very heated rivalry with Manchester United FC, considered by most football fans to be the biggest rivalry in England; a rivalry which stems from the traditional city rivalry between Manchester and Liverpool since the Industrial Revolution, and further fueled as the clubs are the most successful English clubs in European and domestic competition. Matches between the two sides are always very charged affairs which attract sell-out crowds. Crowd violence is rare though, as there is always a strong police presence at big matches to keep things in order. 
  • 12 Everton FC, Goodison Rd, L4 4EL, ☏ +44 871 663 1878. The self-styled 'Peoples Club' of Liverpool, Everton is one of the oldest football clubs in England and are one of the most successful clubs in England. The club has played in the top division of English football for more seasons than any other club. Fans of Everton are known as "Toffees". They play at Goodison Park, one of the oldest football grounds in England, it is known for its excellent atmosphere. The stadium can be reached via buses from Sandhills Station or a taxi, normally costing £6 from Lime Street station. Tickets are available from the Fan Centre behind the Park End of the stadium or online at www.evertonfc.com. Club Merchandise is available from the Everton One Megastore opposite the Park End of the ground, or Everton Two in the Liverpool One Complex. The Winslow Hotel on Goodison Road, opposite the Main Stand at Goodison, is the closest public house. Food is available on the concourses, along with beer in the form of club sponsors Chang. For those on a restricted wallet plus with a sweeter tooth, there is a tea and cake sale held before every match in the hall of St Luke's Church, located on the corner of Goodison Road and Gwladys Street. 

Learn

Liverpool is home to three universities:

  • The University of Liverpool. Liverpool's oldest university established in 1881, it generally outranks the other two in national league tables for both teaching and research. 
  • Liverpool John Moores University. Established 1823 as a college, this is the second largest university in Liverpool, boasting modern facilities and improved teaching. 
  • Liverpool Hope University. Established 1844 as a college, it is in Childwall and Everton. Hope attracts students from some 65 countries worldwide and has enjoyed many successes as of late. 

Buy

Although the main shopping street in Liverpool is dominated by the same chain stores you'll find in any other large UK city, Liverpool has many distinctive shops of its own including:

  • 1 Gostins Arcade, 32-36 Hanover Street. An alternative shopping centre which is definitely worth a look. The small shops inside sell goods ranging from books to tattoos. 
  • 2 Grand Central Hall, 35 Renshaw St. An alternative shopping centre which is definitely worth a look. The 40 small shops inside sell goods ranging from alternative clothing to used furniture. 
  • 3 Liverpool One, Liverpool One, Paradise St. Landmark development opened in 2008, redefining the city with three levels of shopping and entertainment and even a park. Offers a mixture of familiar highstreet chains and fashionable boutique stores 
  • 4 MetQuarter, 35 Whitechapel, L1 6DA. This recently built shopping centre focuses on designer-label fashion and has more than 40 stores. 
  • 5 The Bluecoat. Located in the heart of Liverpool's shopping district, the Bluecoat houses a number of specialist independent retailers offering an eclectic range of products. Stocking the best in contemporary craft, design, fashion and homewares, the shops at the Bluecoat should be your first destination in the city for the unique and the unusual: Display Centre, Drum, Landbaby, Purlesque, Robert Porter. 
  • 6 St John's Shopping Centre, 125 St Georges Way, L1 1LY, ☏ +44 151 709-0916. 
  • 7 Clayton Square Shopping Centre, Great Charlotte St, L1 1QR, ☏ +44 151 709-4560. 
  • 8 Petticoat Lane Arcade, Petticoat Lane Arcade, 102 Bold Street, L1 4HY. 

The upper part of Bold St (where it is not pedestrianised) has a number of independent dealers. There are also many nice cafes and restaurants in between.

  • 9 news from nowhere, 96 Bold Street, L1 4HY, ☏ +44 151 708-7270. A left-leaning bookshop which is impressively stocked on political topics (even as regards journals and newspapers), but has an interesting choice of books on other topics, too. 

Eat

There are various pubs serving food across the city centre and its suburbs. The two main areas are the City Centre and Lark Lane about three miles from the city centre in Aigburth. There are various restaurants on Allerton Road (near Liverpool South Parkway) as well. Expect to spend around £10-£15 for a meal for two. Check with your hotel first if they allow food delivery. There is also quite a number of places to eat in Liverpool One.

City Centre

  • 1 Upstairs Restaurant Bar (Bluecoats), School Ln, ☏ +44 151 702-7783. Sunday and Monday (11:30 - 18:00); Tuesday until Saturday (Lunch: 11:30 - 15:00; Afternoon tea: 15:00 - 17:30; Dinner: 18:00 - 23:00). Offering seasonal food and a great wine list in a creative setting. Also offers a special children's menu (under 12s). 
  • 2 Espresso Bluecoat (Bluecoats), School Ln. 08:00 - 18:00 daily (later when there is an event on). Offering illy coffee, Jing leaf teas, Monbana hot chocolate and a range of soft drinks together with a selection of sandwiches, salads, homemade cakes and biscuits that are freshly made on the premises and able to be eaten on site or taken away. Also available, is a fine selection of alcoholic beverages ranging from locally produced bottled lager to wines by the glass or by the bottle. 

Student District, Georgian Quarter and Hope Street

  • 10 92 Degrees Coffee, 24 Hardman St, L1 9AX. Combined coffee shop and micro roastery. One of the better places to drink coffee. Nice toasted bagels for breakfast. 
  • 11 U-N-I, Renshaw St. Indian restaurant. Delicious Indian food all served in your own private booth with a curtain, to get the waiters attention press the button in your booth. 

Bold Street (upper part)

Bold St has a nice mixture of independent shops and interesting places to eat.

  • 12 Miyagi, 77 Bold Street, ☏ +44 151 329-0222. Very good and fresh Japanese cuisine, really high standard, and delicious. The interior is a very successful fusion of the presumably Victorian style of the building and Japanese aesthetics. Highly recommended. You can eat for little more than £10 (if you do not have a drink or order tap water), but there are lots of small treats which probably add up quickly. 
  • 13 Bretta & Co., 5 Heathfield Street, L1 4AT (Central Village, Unit 5 off Bold Street), ☏ +44 151 709-6369. a lovely deli operation and a bar bistro to boot 
  • 14 Maggie Mays, 90 Bold St, L1 4HY, ☏ +44 151 709-7600. Traditional cafe (but veggie breakfast is no problem) with modest prices. Nice, relaxing and, above all, authentic. 
  • Raggas, 53 Bold St, L1 4EU, ☏ +44 151 708-0482. 12pm to 10pm every day. Jamaican food which is definitely worth trying. All mains just below £10, small treats much cheaper.. 
  • 15 Leaf, 65-67 Bold St, L1 4EZ, ☏ +44 151 707-7747. 10am to 12am. Large and quite popular cafe which caters to a modern population (there is even a vegan English breakfast as a matter of course) and also hosts cultural events. Quite loud downstairs, but can be peaceful upstairs if there is nothing on. 
  • Quynny's Quisine, 45 Bold St, ☏ +44 151 708-7757, . Caribbean food. Easy to miss as the entrance is a yellow door with stairs leading down. Well kept secret. 
  • The Tea House, 69 Bold St and 62 Mount Pleasant, ☏ +44 151 707-2088, . This modern Hong Kong-style tea house is a great place to visit for some cheap and tasty Chinese meals, snacks and drinks. 

Chinatown, Ropewalks and East Village

Chinatown is Berry Street, Duke Street, Roscoe Lane, Parr Street and Seel Street.

  • 16 Sound Food & Drink, 52 Duke Street, L1 5AA. 
  • 17 Almost Famous, 11-13 Parr St, L1 4JN. 
  • 18 The Brink, 21 Parr Street, L1 4JN. 
  • 19 The Attic bar, 33-35 Parr Street, L1 4JN. 
  • 20 Studio 2, 33-45 Parr St, L1 4JN. 
  • 21 Rookwood Bar and Cue, 14 Colquitt Street. American Steakhouse 
  • 22 China Palace, 27-35 Berry Street. Chinese food 
  • 23 Il Forno, 132 Duke St, L1 5AG, ☏ +44 151 709-4002. Italian cuisine 
  • 24 Sapporo, 134 Duke Street, East Village, ☏ +44 151 709-4002. Japanese cuisine 
  • 25 Savina Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, 138 Duke Street, L1 5AG, ☏ +44 151 708-9095, . Mexican 
  • 26 The Monro, 92-94 Duke St, ☏ +44 151 707-9933. Popular gastro-pub serving good British food from rabbit and boar right through to the local delicacy, scouse. All washed down with a pint of ale. 
  • 27 MelloMello, 40-42 Slater St (Entrance is on Parr St). Offers a full menu of breakfast, lunch & mains daily from 10:00-20:00. Fiercely independent, eco and ethically aware cafe. Features all organic, local beer, cider, wines, spirits, teas and coffee. The entire menu is vegetarian with vegan options. They serve vegan & gluten free cakes on rotation, and specialise in organic & international alcoholic beverages. Healthy vegetarian menu and specials daily. 
  • 28 Lucha Libre, 96 Wood Street, L1 4DQ, ☏ +44 151 329-0200. Mexican 

Liverpool One

  • 42 Brown's (43a Paradise Street, L1 3DN), 5 Wall St, L1 8JQ, ☏ +44 151 709-1693. Mon-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:30. Classic British cuisine 
  • 43 Byron's, Liverpool ONE, 43 Paradise Street, L1 3EU, ☏ +44 151 707-8231. Mon-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:30. Burgers 

Commercial District, Dale Street and Victoria Street

Pier Head and Albert Dock

Lark Lane

The Albert, Lark Lane

Lark Lane is about 2.5 miles to the south of the city centre, a very pleasant (and less stressful than the city) place and is one of the better places to eat out. The road, which connects Aigburth Road with Sefton Park, is home to many unique restaurants, cafés and other shops. It is quite isolated, i.e. you will only find residential areas around it, but the street itself is worth the trip. Most pubs and bars serve real ales. Some choice picks include:

  • 57 Green Days Cafe, Little Parkfield Road, L17 8US, ☏ +44 151 728-8259. Bills itself as The first choice cafe for veggies. The only non veggie item on their dishes and snacks is tuna. It's a great place for lunch in a friendly atmosphere for both veggies and non-veggies. 
  • 58 Milo Lounge, 88-90 Lark Ln, L17 8UU, ☏ +44 151 727-2285. a modern lounge restuarant. 
  • 59 The Albert Hotel, 64 Lark Ln, L17 8UU, ☏ +44 151 727-3403. Victorian pub serving pub grub at reasonable prices. 

Drink

There's a good selection of pubs, clubs and bars to suit a variety of music and atmospheric tastes. Friday and especially Saturday nights are the busiest nights, although a few bars are busy with students throughout the week. The areas around Mathew Street and Concert Square with nearby Wood Street are the main two nocturnal focal points. There is a good mix of locals and students. It is best to dress smart for the majority of bars and clubs (such as "Society" and "Garlands"). Notable exceptions are places like Le Bateau, the Krazy house, the Caledonia and other places of a similar alternative style. Like any major UK city, it is pretty safe out at night. The local police have had a heavy presence on a Friday and Saturday night to combat any problems and are largely succeeding. It is pretty busy getting out of the city centre at the end of a weekend (especially at the start of university term time - Sep/Oct). There are plenty of black hackney cabs which congregate at various taxi ranks. The Merseyrail system works until about midnight, whilst there are a series of dedicated night buses which run from the main bus stations, usually for a flat fare. All modes of transport tend to become very busy from around midnight.

Liverpool is home to the Cains brewery which produces a large selection of cask beers.

  • Dr Duncan's, St John's Lane – This is the premier pub for the local Cains brewery. It has a fine reputation and consequently is full of middle-aged professional drinkers. The pub has the full range of Cains beers, including Dr Duncan's IPA. Rudimentary bar menu, but good busy atmosphere on the weekend.
  • The Dispensary, Intersection of Renshaw and Leece Streets – Another of the local Cains brewery houses. Charming Victorian bar area. Usually has two rotating guest beers, plus a large selection of bottled beers and ciders.
  • The Globe, 17 Cases St (Tucked away, adjacent to Clayton Square shopping centre, opposite the Ranelagh Street entrance of Central Station). A small, often cramped. This is a traditional Liverpool pub, with no-nonsense barmaids. Usually busy after 17:00 and during the weekend, acting as a refuge for husbands abandoned by, or having escaped from, their shopping-mad spouses. Always a good variety of guests. 
  • The Brewery Tap, Stanhope Street is attached to the Cains brewery and serves a large variety of ales, plus traditional pub fayre.
  • The Crown, 43 Lime St. Next to the station. Most likely the first pub you will see upon arriving in Liverpool. 
  • The Pilgrim, Pilgrim Street – Located off Hardman Street, this pub serves the best breakfast in town, £4 for a king size feast. You also get to share the pub with stag parties and students wondering what happened the night before.
  • The Canarvon Castle, 5 Tarleton St. Established for about 200 years, this small and homely pub was named after Lord Carnarvon. Packed full of collectors items - model cars, lorries, handcuffs and truncheons - it attracts a mixture of clientele. Serving good quality real ales, the pub is also popular for its range of hot snacks including the well-loved Carnarvon toasties. 
  • Pig & Whistle, 12 Covent Garden. This pub has recently undergone a 'refurbishment' and been transformed into a rather fake looking pub.
  • Peter Kavanagh's, 2-6 Egerton St. An unusual and old-world hideaway can be found just outside the city centre. Built 150 years ago, the walls are adorned with art deco murals painted in 1929 and the snugs are themed with various artefacts such as musical instruments and chamber pots. The friendly atmosphere makes this a favourite with artists, locals, travellers and musicians. George Melly, a famous jazz player is known to frequent this pub when visiting the city. If you're in for a tradional English breakfast, this pub serves great black pudding and all the fixings from noon to 16:00, 
  • Poste House, 23 Cumberland St. Most nights has a gay friendly bar serving cheap cocktails upstairs from the main pub. 
  • The Brookhouse Smithdown Rd. Used to be one of Liverpool's pubs was a hangout of bands of the late 1980s such as the La's. It's now most popular with students, and is known for its Liverpool games when locals lead the Liverpool chants and become the vocal cords of this old pub.
  • The Old Post Office, School Ln. Friendly pub famous for its steak and mixed grill meals. Great for watching sports as there are three TVs including one big screen. 
  • The Vines, Lime Street – A stylish club.
  • GBar, Eberle Street – Popular gay-friendly club with two floors. Upstairs, 'The Church' offers funky house music and campy classics in the 'Love Lounge'. Downstairs 'The Bass-ment' pumps out quality vocal house music. Open Thur.-Mon. Costs between £5-£7 for non-members.

Chinatown, Ropewalks and East Village

Chinatown is Berry Street, Duke Street, Roscoe Lane and Seel Street.

  • El Bandito, 41b Slater St, L1 4BX, ☏ +44 151 707-8560. Wed - Sun 9pm into the morning. A small cocktail bar in a basement room. Combines the feeling of being in a bombed-out house with that of being in a living room. (updated Aug 2015)

Seel Street

Voted by the good people at Google as "The Fourth Hippest Street in the UK". A recent addition to Liverpool's nightlife scene, Seel Street has rapidly become the popular with locals, students and visitors.

Find us on Seel Street:

  • Heebiejeebies. A large, lively, destination venue with live music and open air courtyard. Open until 04:00 at weekends. (Photo ID required for entry) 
  • Heebies Basement. A late night bar-come-club playing a broad spectrum of electronic music, Hip Hop and indie spun together by some of the City's finest DJs. No drink costs more than £2.50. Open until 05:00 Friday - Saturday and 04:00 Tuesday - Thursday. (Photo ID required for entry) 
  • The Peacock. A cool, urban boozer, with a wide drink selection and experienced staff, treating patrons to a free BBQ every Friday at 18:00. The Peacock also boasts an intimate club room upstairs with the best electronic beats in town Thursday - Saturday, the perfect compliment to the eclectic tunes downstairs until 02:00 Sunday - Thursday (03:00 Friday & Saturday) 
  • Aloha, Colquitt St. Liverpool’s only '‘Tiki’ bar, hidden away on Colquitt Street. You can expect to drink beautiful exotic cocktails served in vessels such as pineapples and volcanoes by friendly bartenders clad in Hawaiian shirts; to listen to reggae and rock & roll in equal measure; and to partake in the occasional limbo and conga whilst enjoying the best atmosphere in the city. Open at 20:00 till late 7 nights a week. (opens at 21:00 Sunday) 

Concert Square, Fleet Street, Wood Street, Duke Street

Concert Square is situated behind Bold Street, where you'll find a range of the trendier bars. Most bars are open until 02:00 Mon.-Sat. They include Lloyd's, Walkabout, Modo and a minute away near Slater Street is Baa-Bar. This district usually has the youngest crowd drinking here.

  • Baa Bar, Fleet Street - The City’s leading shooter bar. This is the place to go if you like £1 shots, good music and a great atmosphere. Baa Bar Fleet Street has been rocking concert square for over 20 years, with the biggest DJs in Liverpool. Its extensive 32 strong shooter menu and newly refurbished upstairs terrace makes it stand out from the crowd, in an area were competition is fierce.
  • O'Neills, Wood Street – Part of the O'Neills chain but don't let that put you off. Its managed by two real Irish men who know what a real Irish bar means. Good beer, food and good music is always on hand here. You also might bump into a few Liverpool FC players drinking in the corner.
  • The Krazy House, Wood Street – The club provides three floors. K1 with rock and metal, K2 with indie and K3 with Punk/R&B/Dance, all combined with constant cheap drinks. It attracts a crowd of skate punks, students and metal heads. You'll hear R&B and dance music on Thursday, punk and new wave on Friday and new metal on Saturday night.
  • Le Bateau, Duke Street – The home of Liverpool's premier alternative club night, Liquidation every Saturday, which is also the city's longest running weekly club night spread across two floors. Plus Adult Books on Tuesdays, Shoot The Messenger on Wednesdays, Indication on Fridays. Cheap drinks every night, plus a Royal Rumble pinball table. Very friendly and popular with a mix of locals and students all year round.
  • The Swan Inn, Wood St – Liverpool's only rocker/ metalhead pub, it actually has quite an eclectic mix of customers during the week, ranging from construction workers to businessmen, all side by side sharing pints. In the evenings and weekends, this gives way to the alternative/ rocker scene. Pub quiz every Thursday evening and a legendary jukebox. This pub is consistently regarded highly by the local CAMRA group, due to its dedication to quality and variety of ale.

Mathew Street, Temple Court and North John Street

An older crowd will drink in this district.

  • 1 The Cavern Club, 10 Mathew Street, L2 6RE, ☏ +44 151 236-1965. Although the original Cavern Club—a former bomb shelter in the basement of a Liverpool warehouse—was filled in in the 1970s, it was re-excavated and recreated in the 80s, using many of the same bricks. Today it continues as a live music venue, not to mention a tourist attraction. Many of Britain's most popular groups played its stage in the 60s, most famously The Beatles, who made almost 300 appearances here between 1961 and 1963. 
  • 2 The Cavern Pub, 5 Mathew Street, L2 6RE, ☏ +44 151 236-4041. 
  • 3 The Grapes, 25 Mathew St, L2 6RE, ☏ +44 151 255-1525. The Beatles' favourite pub. They would drink here before and after their many gigs at the Cavern Club, and there is a corner of the pub dedicated to them. It even has a photo of them sitting down in seats that are still there today. 
  • Flanagan's Apple, 18 Mathew St, ☏ +44 151 227-3345. 
  • 4 The Welkin (JD Wetherspoons), 7 Whitechapel, L1 6DS, ☏ +44 151 243-1080. 
  • 5 Hogshead, 18-22 North John St, L2 9RL, ☏ +44 151 236-8760. 
  • 6 The Slug and Lettuce, Watson Prickard Building, North John Street, L2 4SH, ☏ +44 151 236-8820, . 

Dale Street, Moorfields and Tithebarn Street

Sometimes considered the commercial district and is populated by office workers during the week.

  • The Ship and Mitre, 138 Dale St. Consistently voted one of the top cask ale pubs in Liverpool by the Merseyside branch of CAMRA. Has a wide, and frequently changing, variety of guest ales. It also has a large selection of bottled foreign beers (though this selection pales slightly in comparison to that of other pubs in the area). Hot and cold food is served in the afternoons and evenings. 
  • Rigby's, Dale Street – This cask ale pub dates back to Lord Nelson and has recently been refurbished by the Isle of Mann Okell's Brewery (it being their first UK mainland pub). Good atmosphere. Busy on weekend nights and also does meals in the bar.
  • The Railway Hotel, 18 Tithebarn St. Over a hundred years old, this old Victorian pub has several original features, many of which would interest the historian as much as the beer lover. The tall ornate ceilings, wood panelling and traditional bar create an inviting and impressive atmosphere. Surrounded by stained glass windows, the lounge, snug and dining areas are well decorated. An open fireplace and displays of old prints add to the comfortable ambience. 
  • Ma Boyles Oyster bar, 2 Tower Gardens. weekdays only. Secluded pub in the business area of the city. Set below street level, the high ceilings and terracotta walls create a relaxing ambience with a separate dining area and a cosy drinking den. The much-acclaimed menu includes dishes such as hot lamb and mint sauce pitas, and of course the local delicacy of Scouse and red cabbage. 
  • 7 The Lion Tavern, 67 Moorfields, L2 2BP, ☏ +44 151 236-1734. Excellent pub, particularly for cheeses. 

Pier Head and Albert Dock

A favourite district for tourists.

  • The Baltic Fleet, 33 Wapping, ☏ +44 151 709-3116. Just over the road from the Albert Dock, this unique pub is a great place to escape from the glossy and expensive bars on the Albert Dock. Serving good food and real ale at good prices, and with a friendly atmosphere. The basement houses Wapping Beers, a small brewery. Take the opportunity to taste one of their own beers as fresh as it comes. 
  • Raven (Irish American Grill and Beer Hall), Britannia Pavilion, Albert Dock, L3 4AD, ☏ +44 151 709-7097. 
  • Vinea (Wine Club). 

Student district

Universities of Liverpool and John Moores students from the student residential areas descend here during term time.

  • 11 Korova, 32 Hope Street, L1 9BX, ☏ +44 151 709-7097, fax: +44 151 708-8751. Mon.-Sat. 11:00-late; Sun. 11:00-00:00. Part bar, part club, split between two floors. Upstairs there is the lush front area replete with orange leather booths and over-table televisions which usually stream the live action from downstairs. At the back is the kitchen, which during the day serves a range of freshly cooked meals. Downstairs the intimate gig venue has hosted some of the biggest names in music, as-well as being an important venue for local musicians. Free Wi-fi. 
  • 12 The Caledonia, Catharine Street, L8 7NH, ☏ +44 151 709-5909. Underground, alternative music venue in a pub. DJs and live bands throughout the week. First Friday of every month is the infamous "It's Not Bangin", with classic dub reggae, soul and disco playing. Well worth a visit. .
  • The Philharmonic – Located on the corner of Hope Street and Hardman Street, this Tetley heritage pub is opposite the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Formerly a gentleman's club, there are two small, snug rooms and a larger dining room to the back with leather sofas and an open fire. The gentlemen's toilets are grade 1 listed and ladies may ask permission to view them at the bar. Excellent food served both from the bar and in the dining rooms upstairs. Usual cask beers include Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Caledonian Deuchars IPA and Tetley's.
  • The Cambridge – Located at the corner of Cambridge Street and Mulberry Street. This pub is at the heart of the University of Liverpool and has a great atmosphere. It is very popular with both students and lecturers.
  • The Augustus John, Peach St. This is an obligatory hang out for Liverpool's students. Like most student pubs, the bar area gets packed during September and October.
  • Roscoe Head, 26 Roscoe St. 
  • Fly in the Loaf, Hardman Street, Today it arguably serves the finest quality and variety of cask ales in the city centre. The Fly in the Loaf has a good mix of students and local regulars. It includes bar meals and wide-screen televisions for football and is one of the few Liverpool pubs that regularly show rugby league.
  • Ye Cracke, 13 Rice St. – This pub was a favourite haunt of John Lennon's uncle. Can get quite dodgy at night. 
  • 13 The Blue Angel (The Raz), 106-108 Seel Street, L1 4BL, ☏ +44 151 709-1535. Popular with students especially student doctors. 

Sleep

Albert Dock

There are a number of hotels in the city, ranging from budget guesthouses and lodges to 4 star international properties. Liverpool presently has no 5 star hotels although the Hope Street Hotel, a boutique hotel on Hope Street and easily Liverpool’s finest hotel, would certainly qualify if it wasn’t far too posh to bother with things like stars.

Budget

  • Belvedere Hotel, 83 Mount Pleasant (City Centre), ☏ +44 151 709-2356. A B&B run by an old lady. Basic room. Shared toilet and shower. Price includes full English breakfast in the downstairs living room. Centrally located 2 minutes from Lime St. station. £25 single room. 
  • The Embassie Hostel, 1 Falkner Square, ☏ +44 151 707-1089. Check-in: 10:00, check-out: 12:00. This hostel features free coffee, tea, and toast (with jam and peanut butter). Very comfortable beds (dormitory style), and a great mix of international travellers to befriend. The hostel has friendly staff, led by their wonderful boss and hostel proprietor, Kevin who tells a Beatles story or two, and leads a free Beatles tour every Thursday night which ends up at The Cavern Club. £16 pp Sun-Thurs, £21 pp Fri & Sat. 
  • Bankhall Hotel, ☏ +44 7528190759. About 2 kilometres from the city centre. All rooms are private. Free internet/Wi-FI. From £11 per person per night incl breakfast, non-stop drinks. 
  • Everton Hostel, 53 Everton Rd, ☏ +44 7916 495468. Free Wifi (which works very well), price includes a breakfast buffet (yes, all you can eat), free coffee, cocoa and tea during the rest of the day, Friday Night karaoke (with free shots for anyone who dares to sing) and just a chill and great atmosphere. Many come to stay a few nights, and then they end up staying for a few weeks or even longer. No doubt, you'll make many new friends here. (updated Jan 2016)
  • The Nightingale Lodge, 1 Princes Rd, ☏ +44 1229 432378, fax: +44 151 708-8758, . Cheap hostel accommodation near to town. Communal kitchen and dinning area. Free hot showers. Plasma TV with Satellite. Computer kiosks, Wifi access. Full central heating. Free bedding. Garden. Secure cycle storage. Lockers and luggage store. Laundry facilities. Secure car park. Continental breakfast included. Dormitory from £15 large secure car park. 
  • Youth Hostel, 25 Tabley St, ☏ +44 151 709-8888. £21.95+. 
  • 1 Cocoon International Inn, 4 South Hunter St (Off Hardman St), Liverpool, L1 9JG (about 15 min walk from Lime St). A hotel without breakfast. Staff is there 24 hrs and usually not very busy, very friendly and willing to help with minor quirks. Single room (Jul 15) GBP 38. (updated Aug 2015)

Mid-range

  • 4 Crowne Plaza Liverpool Airport (formerly Marriott). A short drive from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, this makes fabulous use of its Grade II listed art deco building which was the old airport terminal and control tower. If you are looking to eat out of the hotel then Damon's is a restaurant on the same site which you will enjoy if you like American kitsch and microwaved food. Apart from that, there is a retail park with the typical fast food restaurants just a short walk from the hotel. 
  • 5 Marriott Liverpool City Centre, 1 Queen Square (In the heart of the city.), ☏ +44 151 476-8000. Claims to be a 4 star property but is now a little tired. The Marriot is surrounded by the Queen's Square complex with its bars and restaurants. 
  • 7 Premier Inn, Albert Dock, East Britannia Building, Albert Dock (Situated just off the A5036. Follow the brown tourist signs for the 'Albert Dock' and the 'Beatles Story'. Once inside the dock, the hotel is situated in the middle of the Britannia Pavilion directly besides the Beatles Story.), ☏ +44 870 990 6432, fax: +44 870 990 6433. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: Noon. The hotel is in original warehouse, has been well transformed and has the vaulted ceilings. While room allocation is mostly luck some rooms have classic views over the dock; others of the new Liverpool Arena. Early booking essential; cheap/discounted rooms now impossible to find because of the high demand/location. Ranked as top Liverpool hotel on Tripadvisor. No hotel parking - nearby at about £12/day. Around £66 per room per night. 
  • 8 Radisson Blu, 107 Old Hall St, ☏ +44 151 966-1500. On the old St. Paul's Eye Hospital site in the business district of the city. A small part of the original building has been retained and incorporated into the hotel. 

Splurge

  • Roscoe House, 27 Rodney St, ☏ +44 151 709-0286, fax: +44 151 203-3076. A magnificently restored city centre Georgian townhouse, once home to famous writer, politician, and philanthropist William Roscoe, the gentleman commonly referred to as ‘The Father of Liverpool Culture’. From £59. 
  • Feathers Hotel, Cater House, 113 Mount Pleasant, ☏ +44 151 709-2020, fax: +44 151 708-8212. Located close to shops, restaurants and nightclubs. Adjacent to both universities and two cathedrals. 

Stay safe

Crime rates in Liverpool are low compared with most other large cities in the UK. You are no more likely to be a victim here than most other European cities. However, as in other cities, you should observe a few simple precautions. Don't leave valuables on display in an unattended car, for example. Even an empty car will get a smashed window from time to time, so try to park yours at private parks when the night comes. Try to stay aware of your surroundings and be discreet with cash, expensive camera equipment, etc.

Scousers are mainly gregarious and friendly people, but there are still many who seek to take advantage. You will find, however, that Mancunians and Scousers get along much better than the stereotype suggests and you will very often come across each in each other's city. Be particularly aware of people who approach you in the street with stories of having lost their train fare home. These are typically begging techniques.

Stay on the beaten track at night and stick to the many themed pub and bars and avoid some of the larger dance clubs as these are more suited to streetwise locals or people who understand Liverpool culture well, although to be fair, most Scousers will welcome anyone to their city, and especially their clubs! Be prepared to wait for a taxi at night and don't be tempted to walk back to your hotel unless you are close by. Although Liverpool is a quite friendly place, a slightly sinister side appears after hours.

Some of the City's districts should be avoided by non-locals. Areas such as Croxteth, Dovecot, Everton, Huyton, Kensington, Kirkdale, Norris Green, Page Moss, Stockbridge Village and Toxteth are seeing some serious issues with gang related violence including increases in gun and knife crime and several murders have been recorded.

Around the city centre, be aware there are many homeless people, especially around William Brown Street near the museums. Unlike, in, say, the United States of America or other parts of the United Kingdom, these are less likely to pose a threat to you, and although they may beg for money, they tend to be friendly and often want to talk about their backstories openly with you. Give them money, but at your own risk, as long as it's small change.

Also, older women may (and often do) flirt with younger men, but accept this part of the Liverpool cultural milieu. This also applies to the homelessness situation mentioned above, which much the same situation tends to happen. This should not be confused with prostitution (mentioned below). It is explicitly not solicitation, and is just flirting.

Although prostitution is legal in the UK, solicitation is illegal and it is a fact of life in most cities, Liverpool being no exception. The "Red Light" areas are as follows: around Netherfield Road North and the Shiel Road area of Kensington. Although quiet during the day, there is a lot of business at night and particularly on weekends. Women walking by themselves have been known to be approached by men looking for prostitutes and people in vehicles have been known to be approached by prostitutes looking for business.

Avoid Manchester United shirts, which worn in the wrong place makes you an easy target for abuse or worse even assault, especially on match day.

A friendly manner, a polite smile, and a sense of humour go a long way in this city, but a sensible approach to travelling is, as always, advisable.

Note that the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, when nearly 100 Liverpool fans were killed, is still a very sensitive subject. Openly carrying or reading The Sun newspaper is also cautioned against due to its offensive coverage blaming Liverpool fans for the deaths at the time.

Be aware that the streetlighting (Urbis Evolo 2, shown on the right-hand side of the picture) is brighter than you might expect, and drive more cautiously. These streetlights are common across the city centre and in Kensington. Drive much more cautiously if you see them. These are less common outside of Liverpool. Americans may be used to bright lights, but Evolos are really bright.

Less than an hour away, Manchester holds a wealth of sights and attractions.

Go next

Manchester – Once the home of the industrial revolution, it has now swapped its chimneys for skyscrapers, and mill workers for urbanite accountants and designers. It is also the home of the second most successful football club in England, Manchester United FC. Well worth a visit and is easy to get to by train or coach/bus. Less than an hour away.

Chester - A beautiful historical city on the River Dee, which is famous for its Roman ruins and city walls. It is also the Gateway to North Wales and the delights of Llandudno and Snowdonia National Park. Forty minutes by Merseyrail.

Crosby - Just north of Liverpool with Anthony Gormley's Another Place famous sculptures on the beach.

Wirral

Birkenhead – Across the Mersey, Birkenhead has a football club called Tranmere Rovers. Although this club has always lived in the shadow of Everton and Liverpool, it has a long tradition and a great family atmosphere. Well worth a visit.

Port Sunlight - On the Wirral. It was built as a model village by Lord Lever and contains the Lady Lever Art Gallery, a marvelously eclectic collection of objects, similar to the Burrell Collection in Glasgow. Twenty minutes by train.

West Kirby - Also located on the Wirral, boasts a superb beach. There is also a 52 acre marine lake which has sailing and windsurfing. Thirty minutes by train (from all four downtown Liverpool stations, Wirral line, every 15/30min).

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