Liverpool

Few cities in the UK have a personality as big as Liverpool. It’s loud, it’s proud and it wears its culture on its sleeve. Everyone knows it as the home of The Beatles and two Premier League giants, but spend any time here and you’ll see it’s a city where history, culture and modern life all collide. If there’s one thing you’ll learn about Liverpool, nothing is ever done quietly.

Food and Drink

Hungry? Thirsty? In Liverpool, that’s never a problem. Whether you’re after a late night kebab, a bottomless brunch or street food from around the world, the last thing you’ll be complaining about is a lack of options.

Cafe Tabac - 4.4/5

Cafe Tabac could be the poster child for outlining Liverpool’s history and culture, while mixing it with some open late, laid-back, bohemian cafe/bar vibes. Cafe Tabac has been around for a good 50 years and is well known for good coffee, cocktails and some serious munch.

The Bagelry - 4.2/5

Found in the heart of Chinatown, The Bagelry is known for its hand-rolled bagels and donuts. It’s perfect as a hangover cure or just when you need a sweet pick-me-up for those long days.

Obe’s Kitchen - 4.1/5

Authentic Nigerian food of the highest quality. Good vibes, good people. Definitely worth a visit.

Blackstock Market - 4.7/5

Think Boxpark, think stack. Live entertainment on offer with a world of choice when it comes to food and drink. Gets a little busy, but that’s for good reason.

Woffle - 4.8/5

Ask anyone who’s been to Woffle and you’ll get nothing but rave reviews. Think of those burgers that you see in your dreams, Woffle brings them to life.

A real strength of Liverpool is that no matter where you go for food and drink, you’ll feel the
character and the mix of influence that you won’t find anywhere else.

Things to Do & Culture

From football and live music, to shopping and the waterfront, Liverpool is bold, varied and always has something going on.

Liverpool ONE - 4.5/5

Liverpool’s huge open-air shopping complex. Has all the high-street staples, restaurants, and a cinema, making it well worth the day out.

Formby Beach - 4.7/5

Formby beach is so nice that it genuinely feels like a holiday destination hidden away in the Merseyside. Sand dunes, forest trails and a bastion for the red squirrel. Perfect for a day trip out, especially if you can catch it when it’s quiet.

Crosby Beach - 4.3/5

Now this beach you’d preferably catch at low tide, as the main attraction here are the iron men. A little eerie but definitely worth the trip.

Ferry Trips - 4.6/5

Don’t read this as ‘one of the best things to do in Liverpool is leave’. But the ability to travel around by boat is more fun than it sounds. The actual recommendation here is to ferry down the Mersey to sightsee Liverpool and the Wirral from the river but if you’re really looking to get away, Ireland is a surprisingly short trip away too.

The Cavern Club - 4.8/5

Probably the most famous club in the city, maybe even the country. The birthplace of the Beatles is most definitely worth a visit. With tribute acts and up and coming bands, you’re bound to have some fun here.

If you’re staying indoors in Liverpool, you’re doing it wrong. With so much life within the city, and with the likes of Manchester (see our Ultimate Guide to Manchester) and Ireland hardly an hour away, you’ll never be short on things to do.

Going Out & Nightlife

Outside of The Beatles, the football and the accent, Liverpool is probably most well known for its nightlife, and rightly so. The phrase might be overused, but there is truly something for everyone in this city.

Rubber Soul - 4.3/5

If you’re a fan of The Beatles, Rubber Soul is definitely worth a visit. The artwork and statues make it a real standout for Beatles related bars in the city.

The Flute - 4.3/5

The Flute is a real student classic. £2.50 pints Sunday to Friday, all the live sports, and a delicious choice of food if you get peckish.

The Pilgrim - 4.3/5

A local favourite. More cheap drinks which you can enjoy in a real nice beer garden. And if the weather’s not so good, inside there’s a vintage jukebox which will always keep the energy up.

The Scholar - 4.4/5

An independent local which was made with students in mind. Cheap drinks, and pub quiz nights which gets seriously competitive.

Camp and Furnace - 4.4/5

Your one stop shop for everything. A large warehouse venue which hosts live music, themed parties, day raves and even pop culture quizzes. Something for everyone in here.

Honestly, reading this back, it feels like the surface has hardly been scratched regarding the nightlife in Liverpool. Just get out there, get into somewhere that looks good to you, and the odds are good you’re in for a good night in Liverpool.

Hidden Gems

Now this is where Liverpool’s personality really shines through. You’ve gotta look past the Beatles, Anfield and the likes of Concert Square to really find out what Liverpool is all about.

St Luke's Bombed Out Church - 4.6/5

A great piece of history in the heart of the city, with a beautiful garden cafe. Your visit probably won’t be long but it’ll stick with you long after you’ve left.

Woolton Village - 4.5/5

If you’re looking to get away from the city life, Woolton Village is the perfect place to do so. A quaint little village full of independent shops, cafes and history all making it a trip worthwhile.

Vale Park - 4.5/5

Another good reason to venture out of the city. A beautiful little park, right on the promenade just over the Mersey. No shortage of cafes with a beautiful view of the city over the river.

The landmarks in Liverpool might steal the spotlight, but the real heartbeat of the city is everything else. So whether you’re looking to just rediscover your city, or someone looking to wander off the beaten path, Liverpool proves that there’s always more to discover about a place.

Study Spots/Student Essentials

It can sometimes feel tricky balancing your student life with everything else in Liverpool, here are a few spots that can make it a little easier for you:

Harold Cohen Library (UoL) - 4.6/5

Liverpool Uni’s main library for STEM subjects (you don’t have to be doing STEM to use it), and currently the 24 hr option. With study spaces galore, you won’t be hard pressed finding a good spot here.

Student Life Building (LJMU) - 4.8/5

The Student Life Building is the hub of John Moore’s. The library is also 24 hours, and it has just about every student facility you could ask for.

Sheppard-Worlock Library (Hope) - 4.7/5

Liverpool Hope’s main library. Well equipped and great for some serious studying.

Student Unions - 4.5/5

Every uni in Liverpool has its own SU, and they're all worth checking out. Cheap food, live events, societies and student bars. If you’re looking to find your people, the SU is always a good bet.

City Advice

Liverpool is easy to love, but knowing a few local tips and tricks will make it even smoother (and cheaper).

Getting Around - Liverpool’s compact city centre makes it easy to get around on foot, but the real backbone of getting around here are the buses. A student bus pass will save you all sorts when getting around. If you ever fancy a trip to the Wirral, or the beaches over at Formby and Crosby, the Merseyrail network can be a real hand there.

Where to Live - Smithdown Road and Kensington are the classic student areas with affordable housing, loads of pubs and a strong student community. The city centre puts you in the middle of everything but do expect to pay for the privilege.

Local Quirks - Scousers are famously friendly, so don’t be surprised if someone just starts chatting to you on the bus. And don’t be shocked if at first you can’t understand everything they’re saying to you, you’ll pick up the accent eventually.

Liverpool’s one of the UK’s best cities. Filled to the brim with heart and character. Don’t be afraid to talk to the locals and get involved with the culture, and you’ll feel a part of the city in no time.

All the spots are marked on the map here.