Liverpool has really put itself on the map in recent years. When it was hailed as the European Capital of Culture in 2008, a lot of investment went into the city, with new hotels and venues popping up all over town. I moved to Liverpool from Scotland at the beginning of 2008 and left in the summer of 2009 and happened to be there just in time to witness the change. I would recommend a weekend break to Liverpool.
The city has always had a rich music culture, particularly in the pop industry with of course the Beatles starting out back in the sixties and more recently girl bands such as Atomic Kitten and the Sugababes. If you are a big music fan, the Matthew Street Festival is a fantastic (and free) two day event of live outdoor music, showcasing an exciting mixture of cover bands and the coolest new bands performing their own original music.
Sleep like a Beatle
In every corner, it´s always easy to find some great Liverpool hotels, which can offer something for everyone. I had the pleasure of attending a few events at the then newly opened Hard Day´s Night Hotel: a lovely ‘Beatles-inspired’ 5 star hotel in the city center. Luxurious, with a fantastic, relaxed cocktail bar and restaurant, it is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway, particularly for die-hard Beatles’ fans, no matter how hard the day has been. The concept may sound tacky, but this is not the case at all, the Beatles references are actually subtle and classy. For example, as you enter the hotel all of the bands hit songs are printed decoratively across the walls, the cocktail bar is named ‘Bar Four’, and there is a penthouse suite named after John Lennon; ‘The Lennon Suite’.
Eating Out & Night Life
Liverpool also boasts an impressive variety of great restaurants and bars, including quite a few with a Latin American/Mexican influence. Alma de Cuba is a converted old church where gorgeous Cuban dancers appear about midnight and get everyone in the dancing mood, without fail. If you happen to go there, you will experience a little something special, as flower petals are usually poured over from the restaurant mezzanine area onto the party goers below. There is also a famous Mexican bar called Lucha Libre, which doubles as a restaurant with a pumping nightclub underneath. If you are looking for something traditonally British, Pushka is the right choice. They change the menu frequently but rest assured, you will always find something you love. I still remember the melt in the mouth lamb and root veg main course I once enjoyed there. For a luxurious start to the evening, you can treat yourself to a glass of champagne at Panoramic, a restaurant on the 26th floor of an apartment block, with stunning views down the river Mersey.
Shopping
Liverpool One is a new shopping precinct, which opened in 2009. It seems to have moved all of the shops from the main street (Church Street) to round the corner, and now Church Street is deserted. But you can be sure to have a fantastic day of shopping at the likes of John Lewis, Zara and Republic. There is a great restaurant area as well, featuring several famous chain eateries. If you have a little more to spend and are looking for a bit of WAG spotting, you should go to Met Quarter, where you will find top designer shops such as Armani. Wherever you go though, day or night, do remember the effort Scourse girls put into their appearance; it is said that Liverpool is like no other city in this respect.
This article is a guest post by Jamie Monteath.
Images by Micron Communications site and Travel by here
Featured image by Karen_O’D
