Liverpool Arts Bar, Hope Street
Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
The Arts Bar on Hope Street (one of two Arts Bars in the city) is a vibrant, creative hub nestled between the city’s two iconic cathedrals, close to two universities and Liverpool’s key cultural spots, like ‘The Phil’, as well as the Everyman and Unity Theatre. Thanks to the location and relaxed attitude, it offering a cosy, art-filled space that brings together creatives, students, and art lovers alike.
It’s housed in an impressive Grade-II Masonic Hall, with a grand staircase and heavy doors. Fear not though, as the inside is friendly and relaxed so you’ll feel right at home.
The venue was opened in 2019 with the hope of providing a platform for local creatives to showcase their work and they’ve been realising this dream ever since by regularly hosting a variety of live performances, from acoustic sets to spoken word and comedy nights. The Arts Bar provides a platform for emerging artists in Liverpool’s thriving music and arts community and serves as a gallery space so there’s something new to see every time you pop in for a cup of tea.
Speaking of beverages, the Arts Bar boasts a curated selection of craft beers, cocktails, and hot drinks, whether you want an Old Fashioned at a spoken word gig or a hot chocolate after seeing a play at the Everyman Theatre across the road.
The idea for the Arts Bar came out of a desire to support local artists and was set up by four friends who understood the challenges of creative life all too well. Having met at one of the universities up the road from the venue, they ran an events company together, before eventually opening the venue months before the pandemic. Not only did they get through the lockdowns, they also built up a thriving online community that loves and continues to support the Arts Bar today and even opened a sister venue in the Baltic Triangle.
