Liverpool has a rich cultural history. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, over 40% of the world's trade passed through its famous docks, and you may be familiar with the story of four young Scousers who changed the face of pop music with their catchy tunes.
But if you think Liverpool is all about The Beatles, Aintree, rival football teams and Brookside, you've sorely misjudged the northern city. It was named City of Culture back in 2008, and for good reason: with a booming art scene, experimental food pop-ups and an independent spirit, Liverpool is a treasure trove of things to see, eat, drink and do.
As house prices in London rise seemingly every month, a one-bed by the Liverpool docks sounds like a dream find – particularly when you can walk across the city without having to fork out for sweaty Tube journeys. With green open spaces, contemporary art exhibitions, and more independent coffee shops than you can shake a stick at, Liverpool should be top of your list for a staycation.
Whether you're planning a big move or just fancy a weekend away, we've rounded up our favourite spots to hit up in Liverpool.
Baltic Market
Cains Brewery, Stanhope Street, L8 5XJ
As the city's first street food market, the opening of Baltic Market was a highly anticipated event. Founded by Oliver Press and David Williams of Independent Liverpool (the go-to guide for the coolest events and spaces in the city), Baltic brings together the best of the food vendors they've worked with under one roof.
Located in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle, the city's creative quarter, the market is open every week from Thursday to Sunday. Expect wood-fired pizza from Little Furnace, Caribbean vegan street food from ItalFresh, and smoky BBQ treats from Slim's Pork Chop Express. A few trips may be necessary to tackle the amount of choice on offer.
FACT
88 Wood St, L1 4DQ
Liverpool's Foundation for Art and Creative Technology is a leading arts centre, with three galleries, a café run by LEAF (more on them later) and a Picturehouse Cinema all in one space. A one-stop culture hit, FACT offers the latest indie flicks, cutting-edge exhibitions and workshops on everything from banner-making to yoga to life drawing.
Bakchich
54 Bold St, L1 4HR
This Lebanese street food spot on Bold Street's a real gem – and Bold Street has some of the best cuisine in the city. With a casual atmosphere, affordable prices, super friendly staff and fresh-out-the-kitchen bites, it's the ideal lunch spot. However, it really comes alive for dinner with a big group of friends – book a table as it's usually heaving. The portions are so huge you can order as much or as little as you like and be satisfyingly stuffed. Our favourite is the mixed grill meshawi with a healthy serving of baklawa for pudding.
LEAF
65-67 Bold St, L1 4EZ
Another Bold Street resident, LEAF is a café specialising in tea during the day (over 50 loose-leaf teas from across the world), and a relaxed drinks spot at night. The art deco interior is cute and, being spread over two lofty floors, it's a great event space, too. The venue works with the local community a lot, so you'll find anything from evening life drawing classes to Monday-morning pilates, to Sunday-afternoon vintage clothing fairs.
The Botanical Garden
49 New Bird Street, L1
Another Baltic Triangle gem, this gin hotspot returns for a third season in the city. Sit in the garden, complete with painted wall art, heated snugs, and flora and fauna, and you'll feel like you're miles out of the city centre. With a rotating residency of food trucks, there are live bands and DJs but most importantly, gin. And lots of it. From the Baltic Iced Tea (with chilled Earl Grey) to the Hot G&T (with an orange and juniper twist), you're spoilt for choice – just prepare for a hangover.
The Royal Standard
Northern Lights, Cains Brewery Village, Grafton St, L8 5SD
This artist-led gallery, studio and social workspace is a creative hub for artists and art-lovers alike. Beginning in a pub in Toxteth, it relocated and relaunched for the 2008 Liverpool Biennial. To keep ideas fresh, new directors are appointed every two years, making the space one of the most innovative and exciting spots in the city.
Bold Street Coffee
89 Bold St, L1 4HF
Yup, another Bold Street hit (just spend a whole afternoon trawling up and down, ok?), Bold Street Coffee set up shop in 2010 after travelling to festivals to offer pick-me-ups to hungover music lovers. Another venue that hosts artist exhibitions, this is simply a nice spot for a catch-up with friends over really, really good coffee.
Sefton Park Palm House
L17 1AJ
Sefton Park is Grade 1-listed and one of our favourite spots in the city. Ideal for a morning run or cycle, a picnic with friends, or some dog-spotting, it feels tucked away from the bustle of the city. The Palm House, a Victorian architectural treat located in the centre of the park, hosts everything from yoga and weddings to live music and plays. Plus, it's Instagram fodder on sunny days.
Alma de Cuba
St Peter's Church, Seel St, L1 4BH
Situated in a former church, Alma de Cuba is a Latin-influenced tapas-and-cocktails bar. Its candlelit chandeliers and exposed brick lend a fancy vibe but, come 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the venue goes wild. The carnival atmosphere comes alive with samba dancers, resident DJs playing music from across the world, and a petal shower. It's slightly pricey, so save for the end of an evening, having bar-hopped down Seel Street.
Berry & Rye
48 Berry St, L1 4JQ
This speakeasy is a bit of a hidden gem. It has no online presence, and the unmarked building itself looks like a run-down shop front but knock on the door and you'll find an old-fashioned and cosy cocktail club. The space is super intimate and, with bar staff that are more than happy to talk you through their speciality drinks list, it's different without being pretentious.
Mowgli Street Food
69 Bold St, L1 4EZ and 3, Water Street, L2 0RD
This small-plates street food spot has really nice interior design but more importantly, banging food. Founder Nisha Katona wanted to push against the English idea of curry, and serve up the food that people ate in Indian homes. Now with two locations in Liverpool and one in Manchester.
Tate Liverpool
Albert Dock, L3 4BB
You should pay a visit to Liverpool's docks anyway, with their redbrick buildings and waterside views, but Tate Liverpool is a must for art fans. Like Tates Modern and Britain – only without the heaving weekend crowds – Liverpool's gallery houses some of the most exciting exhibitions going, from German art between 1919-1933, to Tracey Emin and Egon Schiele. A far less stressful experience than its London counterparts.
Ryde
The Courtyard, Cains Brewery Village, Stanhope St, L8 5XJ
Cycling around a city doesn't have to mean road rage and potential hazards (just London, then). It's a great way to get around Liverpool and, for two-wheel enthusiasts, Ryde is an essential stop-off. Situated in a beautiful old brewery in the Baltic Triangle, they offer great coffee, food and bike repairs all under one roof.
Bido Lito!
Citywide
Bido Lito! is a monthly magazine for the thriving creative community of Merseyside (that's all the boroughs surrounding the River Mersey: Knowsley, St. Helens, Sefton, Wirral and Liverpool). Since 2010, the magazine has championed the city's new music and diverse creative endeavours, from previews of exhibitions on digital art, to the next up-and-comers to see live. It has a website too, which is constantly updated, but we love the slick design and collectable feel of the monthly print mag. You can grab it from most cafés and shops in the city.
Constellations
35-39 Greenland St, L1 0BS
Another Baltic Triangle mainstay, Constellations is your best bet for a relaxed sunny day. The beer garden is a hotbed of activity come summer, with mini festivals, live music and open-air parties galore, while the main building plays host to coffee mornings, great grub, and exhibitions.
Camp and Furnace
67 Greenland St, L1 0BY
Another hot spot in the Baltic Triangle, Camp and Furnace is a unique multipurpose venue. A restaurant during the day (check out their Sunday slap-up roasts), Friday night sees the venue transformed. A fusion of nature, food and technology, the space becomes a night garden – think Secret Garden Party in a warehouse, with floating cloud structures and botanicals adorning the ceiling. Alongside this, Camp and Furnace also boasts up-and-coming live music, day festivals, and all-round good vibes.
St. Luke's 'Bombed-Out' Church
Bold St, L1 9DN
Liverpool boasts some cool churches, from the cathedral on St James Mount decorated with Tracey Emin's neon artwork, to the Metropolitan Cathedral – nicknamed 'Paddy's Wigwam' – which hosts vintage markets in the basement. St. Luke's is more popularly known as the 'bombed-out church' due to the damage incurred during the 1941 Blitz. Another thriving community spot, since 2007 it's been maintained by various organisations, who stage everything from film screenings to gigs from Floating Points, poetry recitals and Tai Chi.
Dig Vinyl
80 Bold St, L1 4HR
A secondhand record shop with a pinch of mystery, Dig Vinyl is hidden in the basement of a vintage store and stocks everything from folk to drum and bass via psych rock and noise music. They'll also purchase your unwanted records, so you know they're going to a good home if you're having a clear-out. Even if you're not a dedicated collector of vinyl, it’s definitely worth stopping by to see this unique spot.
The Bluecoat
School Lane, L1 3BX
The centre for culture and arts in the heart of Liverpool, The Bluecoat is well established within the community. But don’t let the historic walls fool you – its exhibitions are contemporary, and the venue's ideology emphasises creativity and talent. Events encourage participation and end up being heaps of fun – as part of its most recent exhibition, visitors were given chalk to transform and decorate the walls of the building.
Cow&Co
15 Cleveland Square, L1 5BE
Stop off at Cow&Co for a supremely tasty breakfast or lunch. This little place can compete with anywhere else in the area, thanks to its selection of heavenly homemade sandwiches, starting from £3.95. On top of food and drink, there’s a little shop selling collectables like ceramics and indie magazines.
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