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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Remy Greasley

The best night out in Liverpool, according to locals

There's nothing like a night out in Liverpool.

It's most likely always on the minds of people across the country when they think about some of the best nights out they've ever had. We've got a thriving city centre and that, coupled with perhaps the most fun-loving group of people in the country, means a night in Liverpool never disappoints.

The city offers so many places where you can enjoy a good night out - whether you're doing it in style at a club like Tonight Josephine or going to catch up over a few pints with friends at the Bridewell, the city is spoiled for choice.

READ MORE: Met Office predicts 40C temperatures with heatwave set for July

We asked our readers where their favourite place - pub, club or venue - for a night out in the city is. We got a definite mix of places, with well known establishments like the Swan Inn and Coopers Town House mingling with newer establishments like Albert's Schloss on our long list.

These are the places they voted for.

Ship & Mitre, Dale Street

The Ship and Mitre pub on Dale Street, Liverpool (Liverpool Echo)

An iconic pub in one of the city's few Art Deco buildings. The Ship & Mitre has a huge beer menu, which alongside its accessible location make it a great place for a night out in the city centre.

Its 4.6 star rating on Google (out of 2,625 individual reviews) is a testament to that.

The Bridewell, Campbell Square

Fiona and Dominic Hornsby at The Bridewell (Photo by Colin Lane)

The owners of the Bridewell said they were 'so proud' after being named CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2023 in March. The location near the docks attracts a variety of visitors and plenty of locals.

It's been a staple in the city centre for many years but was originally a lock-up when the building was first built in the 1840s.

The Swan Inn, Wood Street

The Swan Inn on Wood Street (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)


The Swan Inn is so popular that during lockdown a fan painstakingly created a digital reconstruction of the pub when he had free time from his job as a games tester at Sony Playstation. The pub has been called a 'sanctuary' on Wood Street for the alternative crowd and with a 'legendary' jukebox and classic posters its easy to see why.

Did we miss any out? Tell us in the comments.

Albert's Schloss, Bold Street

Albert's Schloss Bar and Restaurant on Bold Street, Liverpool. Photo by Colin Lane (Colin Lane)


A newer venue, Albert's Schloss only came to the city last year but since then the swanky venue has become a popular Bold Street go-to. The venue also boasts a dessert kiosk, as well as a good menu and drinks offerings.

Motel Bar, Fleet Street

Motel bar, Liverpool, 2020 (Google Maps)

Motel was opened in 2013 by Rob Gutman, the man behind iconic nightspots Korova and Alma De Cuba. At the time, Gutman said it would fuse the spirit of American graphic novels with a post-punk edge.

He called it a 'manifestation of all my personal dive bar, Americana based fantasties.'

Royal Court & The Courtyard, Roe Street

Royal Court Theatre on Roe Street (Liverpool ECHO/Colin Lane)


The Courtyard Bar and Kitchen, beside Liverpool's Royal Court, overlooks St George's Hall and has a large, covered outdoor drinking and dining area - perfect for groups of friends. Reviews on TripAdvisor said the venue is 'all round superb' and raved about the quality and presentation of the food and drinks.

Berry and Rye, Berry Street

Berry and Rye is hard to find - so no wonder people get lost on Berry Street (Liverpool Echo)

Customers often struggle to find their way into this hidden away bar on Berry Street but once inside they're welcomed by a hidden gem of the city's bar scene.

Cavern Pub, Mathew Street

The Cavern Pub on Mathew Street (Liverpool Echo)

Part of the Cavern Club where the Beatles cut their teeth on Mathew Street, the Cavern Pub is a relaxed venue with sport on the big screen, live music and Irish-influenced food and drink menus.

Coopers Town House, Clayton Square

Landlady Maria Hodges outside Coopers Town House next to Clayton Square in 2017 (James Maloney / Liverpool Echo)


Once called the 'craziest pub in Liverpool', according to punters you go into Coopers for one and stay for hours. The pub is often packed on a weekday and is particularly popular with older generations.

Landlady Maria Hodges took over the pub with her husband in the mid-1980s and since it has become an icon of the city centre.

G-Bar, Eberle Street

The G-bar on Eberle Street (Liverpool ECHO)

Just a single minute after lockdown restrictions ended on July 19 2021, GBar opened its doors to welcome back the public. It's a vital part of Liverpool's Gay Town community after it was established in the 1990s and has become renowned for its music and drag entertainment.

Manager Andrew Pankhurst once told the ECHO 'there is no job like it' after 19 years at the venue.

Hippie Chic, Stanhope Street

This flowery 'disco hippie tent' located in Cairns Brewery Village is not your average bar but that is part of its allure. Inside you'll find a little slice of Glastonbury but if you're looking for something a little more exclusive there is a VIP pod outside for six to eight people which can be hired.

Kazimier Garden, Seel Street

Named one of the best beer gardens in England just this month, the Kazimier Garden (or the Kaz) on Seel Street has long been a favourite for locals but was praised for its secret garden with 'quirky seating, eclectic decor and fairy-light-festooned umbrellas.'

McCooley's, Concert Square

The queue outside McCooley's, Concert Square (Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)

Most students will have vivid memories of a night out at McCooley's with no fee to get in. The venue has been a mainstay in Concert Square since 2015.

Only Fools Bar, Seel Street

Liverpool artist Paul Curtis painted an Only Fools and Horses mural on Seel Street for the new Only Fools Bar (Only Fools Bar)

Liverpool's only Only Fools and Horses themed bar, the Only Fools Bar offers an immersive experience that makes customers feel like they're inside the popular 1980s TV show. It even features a Nags Head area, dedicated to the fictional pub from the show with a fully functioning bar.

When it opened co-owner James Daly said they 'wanted to bring something totally different to the city'.

Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Hope Street

The Philharmonic Pub (Liverpool Echo)


An icon of Hope Street, the Philharmonic pub is one of of the most distinctive pubs in the country. The Victorian building was Grade II listed in the 1960s before being listed as a Grade I building in 2020.

Seven Brothers Beerhouse, Wolstenholme Square

Seven Brothers, Wolstenholme Square (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)


Opening in what was once the beating heart of Liverpool clubland just last summer, Seven Brothers grew to become one of Manchester's most successful independent businesses before it expanded to Wolstenholme Square where it serves the people of the city its signature craft brews.

Ye Cracke, Rice Street

Ye Cracke on Rice Street, Liverpool. Photo by Colin Lane (Colin Lane / Liverpool Echo)

One of Liverpool's oldest places to drink, Ye Cracke has connections to the Beatles being John Lennon's favourite watering hole when he was an art student in the city. Former bartenders claim he would drink Black Velvet, a cocktail made from Guinness poured on top of sparkling wine at the pub.

The Slaughter House, Fenwick Street

Thomas Dalton, General Manager at the Slaughter House (Photo by Iain Watts)

A classic, cozy pub surrounded by the bustling city centre, the Slaughter House 'takes care of their beer' and also houses one of the city's most popular comedy clubs in its cellar. It has been a mainstay on Fenwick Street potentially for hundreds of years, and offers something a little more authentic than the more expensive bars and restaurants the area is known for.

The Grapes, Mathew Street

The Grapes Pub in Mathew Street, Liverpool. Picture taken circa June 1980 (Mirrorpix)


An icon of Mathew Street, The Grapes was restored to its 'former glory' in 2019 after closing the year before. The historical pub was once the only pub on the now-bustling street.

Woody's, Wood Street

Woody's karaoke bar on Wood Street (Liverpool ECHO)

A staple of Liverpool nights-out, Woody's is open seven days a week and is popular with students and pensioners alike, and offers cut-price cocktails as well as very popular karaoke.

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