Bluecoat
Susie Stubbs
The Bluecoat is the oldest building in Liverpool city centre, dating back to 1716. Once a school, it’s now one of the city’s liveliest arts hubs, an art gallery showing work by major national and international artists that also stages regular performances, readings and more.
The Bluecoat has multiple gallery spaces – the exhibitions usually take place in the three spaces downstairs and one upstairs (all fully accessible). There is a busy programme of free exhibitions often with accompanying event programmes and performances. For art-making, there is a fully equipped print room available for hire.
The upstairs space is a large multi-use room designed with stage-events in mind, but is used for makers markets, screenings and other gatherings. A regular print fair takes place at the Bluecoat too, with a wide range of artists’ styles to choose from and a lovely opportunity to have a chat with the person whose work you’re about to buy.
Clustered around its front courtyard are independent craft and design shops like the popular Root plant shop, while at the back you’ll find the highly-rated Bluecoat Display Centre. Established in 1959, the Display Centre stocks a wide and changing range of contemporary craft, interior design and jewellery, often working with local artists who excel at their craft. The Display Centre hold regularly changing mini-exhibitions too so take a look at their display window next time you’re walking past.
The Garden is an interior courtyard – a green suntrap filled with benches, picnic tables and plants that’s open all year round. It’s maintained by volunteer gardeners and it’s one of Liverpool’s (admittedly not very well kept) secrets – a lovely place to sit a while, even if just to escape from the hustle and bustle of the world outside. You can order food at the café to eat outside, or just bring your own packed lunch.
As well as being a centre for the contemporary arts, Bluecoat Liverpool is the perfect location for food and drink, in the heart of the city. In the café you’ll find barista coffee alongside a great selection of freshly made sandwiches, homemade cakes and biscuits, and other breakfast and lunch options, all made with locally sourced ingredients.
