When it comes to music venues, there’s more to Liverpool than the Cavern Club. And while that famous Mathew Street basement hangout of the Beatles has a firm place in pop music’s history (albeit in its reconstructed form these days), it’s the city’s cafes, bars, warehouses and even converted taxi garages that are driving Liverpool’s music scene towards the future. Discover the hottest spots below.
The Invisible Wind Factory is a 1500-capacity converted warehouse whose gravitational pull for excellent touring artists grows stronger each year. It also acts as creative playground for multidisciplinary collaborations and experimental projects — the kind of one-night-only affairs that the culturally curious people of Liverpool (and beyond) buzz off.
A mixed-use event space in the Baltic Triangle, 24 Kitchen Street hosts some of the best leftfield club nights and gigs in Liverpool. All bare bricks and exposed wooden rafters, it’s a very cool spot to catch emerging artists and cutting edge electronic music.
This cavernous three-room complex in the Baltic Triangle is part bar-restaurant (boasting its own beer) and part flexible event space – meaning it can host a film shoot one day and the likes of Mogwai, Martha Wainwright, or John Cooper Clarke the next.
Situated in a 1930s Grade II-listed building on Hope Street, this art deco-style hall seats over 1700 people and hosts both its resident Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as well as visiting ensembles and popular musicians.
A former taxi garage, Meraki is one of Liverpool’s most exciting young venues, playing host to both wild club nights and cutting edge gigs. It’s a 300-capacity, Berlin-style space, complete with a plant-filled oasis around the back. Expect leftfield gigs here, and all genres, from post punk to hip hop.
The vaguely nautical-themed Shipping Forecast is a great place to catch new bands on the up. Its basement club “the hold” is a sweaty rock ‘n’ roll mainstay for the city, and tickets for gigs there tend to be very reasonably priced.
The creation of 70s punk legend Jayne Casey, District Liverpool is a vibrant multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Triangle that hosts gigs, club nights, film screenings, cabaret, festivals and much more. It’s home to some of the city’s most popular and eclectic club nights, and is a key venue at the likes of Liverpool Sound City.
Above Leaf’s popular ground floor café, its event space boasts mirror balls galore. Musically, expect to catch touring acts on folk end of the spectrum, as well as regular acoustic and DJ nights too, many of which are free entry.
Run by the heads behind Invisible Wind Factory, Kazimier Stockroom is a micro venue with a lot going on, from gigs to screenings to theatre. Fitting no more than 100 people, you’ll always be able to get nice and close to the action!
Hangar 34 is a huge warehouse, dedicated to live music, nightlife, exhibitions and much more. It’s always worth checking out, especially if you love a rave.
Based in Liverpool’s old Royal Institute of Arts and Science building, Liverpool Arts Club is a great spot to catch small touring acts.
The sixth and largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop.
The Jacaranda Club is a legendary music venue, bar and record store, that continues to play an key part in Liverpool’s music scene.
Seating up to 400 people, the Tung Auditorium hosts a variety of concerts.
The arts bar is a vibrant, creative hub nestled between the city’s cathedrals, offering a platform for local creatives to showcase their musical talents.
Excellent drinks, local music and good vibes, with a rooftop bar and an event space in Liverpool’s Fabric District.
Hobo Kiosk is a teeny tiny pub that stands out with its distinctive décor that feels as much like an art installation as it does a watering hole, and there are regular live music evenings too (it closes at 10pm, so get there early!).
A creative bar and venue, Commune is a space for local creatives to come together and share live music, art, film and have a drink.
The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop
Round the Corner provides excellent drinks, local music and good vibes, with a rooftop bar and an event space in Liverpool’s Fabric District.
The Tung Auditorium is Liverpool’s new, state-of-the art performance space seating up to 400 people and hosting a variety of concerts.
A mixed-use event space in the Baltic Triangle, 24 Kitchen Street hosts some of the best leftfield club nights and gigs in Liverpool.
District Liverpool is a multi-purpose venue in the Baltic Quarter, hosting gigs, club nights, films, cabaret, festivals and much more.
Clockworks is a great spot off the beaten track to grab a cosy pint or cocktail, and you’ll often find live music happening outside the front in Wolstenholme Square. It’s worth dropping by just to see Cuban sculptor Jorge Pardo’s Penelope, one of the largest sculptures in the city.
Hinterlands is a multi-purpose venue in Liverpool where events can come to life.
The Jacaranda Club is a legendary music venue, bar and record store, that continues to play an key part in Liverpool’s music scene.
From the team behind the Kazimier, the Invisible Wind Factory is Liverpool’s most eclectic live music venue and nightclub.
Latest addition to The ACC Liverpool Group’s family of world class venues alongside interconnected sister venues BT Convention Centre and the M&S Bank Arena.
O2 Academy Liverpool (formerly the L2 and Carling Academy Liverpool) boasts two performance areas that host live music and clubnights.
Liverpool has seen something of a renaissance of the old-fashioned boozer - here's our guide to the city's best pubs.
Take a look at our top picks of literary places in Liverpool, from atmospheric bookshops to beautiful libraries.
Our guide to museums in Liverpool ranges from gargantuan offerings like the World Museum to the small but perfectly-formed.
Whether it's classical sculpture or cutting-edge photography you're after, check out our guide to the best art galleries to visit in Liverpool.
You’ll find a varied programme across our guide to Liverpool’s best theatres.
Whether you want a multiplex or something a little extra, the cinemas in Liverpool have it all.
Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.
Bold Street is one of Liverpool's most high-profile areas, full of unique coffee shops and independent restaurants. Here's our expert guide to this wonderful area.
From delicate small plates to locally-sourced laid-back dining, Liverpool has it all. We get it, sometimes you’re just not in the mood to get dressed-up and fancy, sometimes jeans, t-shirt...
Liverpool is one of the better cities when it comes to high-quality vegan cuisine - here's our guide to the best vegan food in the city
Fancy a festive day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Take me there
Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.
From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.
Get ready for animated classics, Muppet mayhem and a whole host of New York movies -- it's Christmas time in the cinema.
From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.
Get creative, allow yourself to be curious and learn something new with this month's tours and activities guide.
Looking for the best winter meals the North has to offer? This month's guide to food and drink has the lot.
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
It might be chilly out there, but we're shining our lantern light on some events that will warm the cockles.
