Liverpool for Drinkers
Travel Distilled brings this guide to Liverpool for drinkers including the best historic pubs, craft beer bars and where to enjoy a decent cocktail or whisky.
Liverpool, a city with a rich musical heritage and a vibrant cultural scene, is also a haven for those who appreciate a good drink. From historic pubs with crackling fires to craft breweries and to modern cocktail bars with innovative concoctions, the city offers a diverse range of drinking experiences.
Historic Pubs: A Taste of Liverpool’s Past
Liverpool’s pub scene is steeped in history, with many establishments boasting centuries-old heritage. A visit to one of these traditional pubs is a must for any drinker looking to experience the city’s authentic charm.
Ye Hole in Ye Wall: The oldest pub in Liverpool, dating back to 1726. It’s a charming 18th-century tavern located on Hackins Hey street, a few blocks back from the waterfront, offering a taste of history with its traditional atmosphere and a variety of drinks and food. They have a rotating choice of up to six cask ales, many from local breweries.
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms: Described as the most ornate pub in England, this historic Victorian bar offers a wide selection of whiskies from around the world, along with a sophisticated atmosphere and live music. Paul McCartney once staged a surprise gig here where he set up behind a false wall before launching into a show. The Beatles often used to drink here, but then so did (and does) most of Liverpool.
The Crown Hotel: Another historic gem, The Crown Hotel is a Grade II listed building with a stunning interior. The pub area offers a cosy atmosphere and a selection of classic drinks. The address is 43 Lime Street, a minute from Lime Street Central Station. There’s also lots of entertainment including quiz nights, sports nights and local bands playing.
The Grapes: A traditional pub with a modern twist, The Grapes offers a good range of whiskies and a cozy atmosphere. It’s another former haunt of The Beatles, and has regular live music at weekends, along with a vinyl jukebox, the money from which is donated to a local charity for the homeless. It’s on Mathew Street and is just along from the original site of The Cavern.
Craft Beer Heaven: Liverpool’s Brewing Renaissance
Liverpool has experienced a craft beer boom in recent years, with a growing number of breweries producing exceptional ales and lagers. Beer lovers are spoilt for choice with a variety of taprooms and bottle shops to explore.
Azvex Brewery and Tap Room: Based in the Baltic Triangle, Azvex brews a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. They also have a taproom where you can try their beers, and do brewery tours and tastings on Saturdays.
Black Lodge Brewing: Also located in the Baltic Triangle, Black Lodge is a popular brewery with a taproom serving their own beers. Beer tastings can also be booked, for a minimum of four people.
BrewDog: It may not be local but Liverpool’s branch of the Scottish BrewDog chain is typical BrewDog, and offers 28 of their beers on tap as well as a wide food menu. There are regular specials, like Vegan Mondays and a Weekend Bottomless Brunch. They also have wine and you can try the expanding range of BrewDog spirits, neat or in cocktails.
The Dead Crafty Beer Company: You’ll find this at the top of Dale Street, just over a five-minute walk from Lime Street Central Station. Sample something from what they call their Fridge of Dreams, which contains hundreds of craft beers from around the world, or go for one of their own unique brews, like a Tiramisu beer. Check their Regular Events calendar to see if they have any Meet the Brewer sessions, or a Tap Takeover when they feature the products of other breweries.
Love Lane Brewery, Bar and Kitchen: Another Baltic Triangle brewery, five minutes from the waterfront, Love Lane produces a range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, and lagers. There are pub quiz nights, curry nights, evenings of pairing food with wines or gins, and many other events besides. You can also book a brewery tour with a tasting at the end.
Liverpool’s Best Cocktail Bars
Liverpool’s cocktail scene is thriving, with a range of bars offering innovative and delicious drinks. Whether you prefer classic cocktails or experimental creations, you’re sure to find something to suit your taste.
The Botanist Albert Dock: There are now two of the Botanist chain of bars in Liverpool, and we like the one at Albert Dock, close to the excellent Maritime Museum and other waterfront attractions. There’s live music every Friday and Saturday night, and an extensive food menu. There are dozens of cocktail choices and small but select beer, cider and wine lists.
The Art School Cellars: Located in a former art school building, this stylish bar offers a sophisticated atmosphere and a carefully curated cocktail menu. Their talented bartenders create stunning drinks using high-quality ingredients. They also do Afternoon Tea, though you can opt for prosecco or champagne rather than tea. They do serve a good food menu but check times as it’s not always available.
Café Tabac: The Café Tabac has been going since 1974 and has become a Liverpool institution. They only serve food till 5pm but are open for drinks till midnight, 1am or 2am, depending on the day of the week. Wednesday nights they open what they call Liverpool’s smallest cinema. They have a long cocktail list including all the classics and their own creations, like a Scouse ‘n’ Stormy or a Tabac Attack. Wine and craft beers too.
Jenny’s: This disco and cocktail bar is in the heart of the Commercial District in a former rope factory. And yes, people did use to pay money for old rope here. Now you can dance till the early hours while sampling one of their signature cocktails. By the way, don’t be put off by their sign which describes it as a Seafood Restaurant – they just haven’t got round to changing it.
Little Hardware: Hidden underneath what used to be a hardware shop, this Speakeasy offers sophisticated cocktail creations in an atmosphere of low lighting, candles and old hardware tools hanging on the walls. There’s live music too.
Liverpool for Gin Lovers
Gin has experienced a resurgence in popularity, and Liverpool has embraced the trend with a number of gin bars and distilleries.
Liverpool Gin Distillery: This local distillery produces a range of award-winning gins, including classic London Dry and flavoured varieties. Visitors can enjoy gin tastings and tours of the distillery to learn about the gin-making process, take a gin-making class, or just relax in their basement lounge.
The Botanical Garden: This stylish bar in the Baltic Triangle offers a wide selection of gins, including many rare and unusual varieties. They also have a knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the perfect gin for your taste. Note that they’re only open for six months of the year so check the website before trying to find them.
Liverpool’s Best Whisky Bars
For those who prefer the warmth and complexity of whisky, Liverpool has several options to explore.
Berry and Rye: This speakeasy-style bar may be small, but it packs a punch with its impressive whisky selection. The intimate atmosphere and expert bartenders make it a great place to enjoy a quiet dram or a creative whisky cocktail. They pride themselves on their Old Fashioneds, and they’ll teach you how to make the perfect one in one of their occasional classes. There’s only room for 45 people so get there early, be prepared to wait, or have a Plan B. There’s live music most nights too.
HopScotch Whisky Bar: Located in Liverpool’s Fabric District, HopScotch offers a more relaxed and casual setting to enjoy a wide range of whiskies. At any one time they have about 130 whiskies (and rums) available, and they rotate their selection regularly so you won’t get bored. They also host whisky tasting events, and are fans of craft beer and lambic beers too. If you’re local you might want to check out their Liverpool Whisky Club. Note that they’re only open Thursday-Sunday.
Puffin’ Rooms: This cigar and cocktail lounge offers over 200 rare and refined whiskies, making it a must-visit for any whisky enthusiast. They also have live jazz in the evenings and a Sunday afternoon blues session. For food they serve tasty tapas and they have a fairly short but very original cocktail menu. They also hold Cocktail Masterclasses, and Personal Training Sessions, where you get to taste four very select drams of whisky.
Mackenzie’s Whisky Bar: Widely regarded as one of the best whisky bars in Liverpool, Mackenzie’s offers over 300 whiskies from around the world. They also have an impressive list of gins and a good choice of draught and bottled beers. There’s occasional live music and sports TVs for the big matches.
Best Guide to Liverpool
The Pocket Rough Guide to LIVERPOOL covers: St George’s Quarter, Waterfront, Cavern Quarter and around, Ropewalks and around, Georgian Quarter and around, Sefton Park and Lark Lane, around Liverpool, further afield.
Inside this travel guide to Liverpool you will find:
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER
Experiences selection for every kind of trip to Liverpool, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in the Williamson Tunnels to family activities in child-friendly places, like Cavern Quarter or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like the Three Graces.
INCISIVE AREA-BY-AREA OVERVIEWS
Covering Georgian Quarter, Sefton Park, Lark Lane and more, the practical Places section of this Liverpool travel guide provides all you need to know about must-see sights and the best places to eat, drink, sleep and shop.
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