Liverpool is an excellent choice for a long weekend – the nightlife is varied, the pubs are lively and the city’s museums are world class.
It only gets better when one of the Merseyside teams takes to the pitches of Anfield and Goodison Park and thousands of Liverpool or Everton fans descend upon the city for the weekend – making Liverpool a vibrant metropolis to explore both before and after the game.
Read on for our picks of the best attractions, restaurants and other things to do in Liverpool before kick-off and after the final whistle has been blown.
Things To Do Before The Match
Boats in the church of Saint Luke as part of the Liverpool Biennial of Contemporary Arts
If you arrive on the Thursday then you’ll find plenty to do in Liverpool before the match kicks off over the weekend making it possible to explore your pick of the city’s seven national museums, which includes the northern branch of the Tate at Albert Dock and the splendid Walker Art Gallery whose substantial collection ranges from the 13th century to the present day.
High on your list should be a walk on Albert Dock – a charming collection of Grade 1 listed former warehouses and dock buildings now filled with modern restaurants, bars, museums and shops.
Your first visit to Liverpool? It’s worth taking in the Museum of Liverpool which sits on the waterfront and houses a reconstruction of a working-class Victorian street amongst an enlightening collection of artefacts from all sides of Liverpool’s past – including a few nods to the sport and music scenes.
Are you a bit of a Beatles fan? Spend your afternoon in the Beatles Story museum which explores the band’s history through a series of recreations and exhibitions – including many of the group’s personal effects.
Whilst walking through the centre of the city you’ll stumble across an intriguing relic in the form of Church of Saint Luke – a church that was gutted during the World War II – leaving what is now a sombre though exceptionally beautiful 19th century façade, which stands in memorial to the victims of the bombing that left the church in its current state.
There are all kinds of exhibitions and concerts here through the warmer months which lends it a slightly different ambiance – but if nothing else it’s good for a stroll all year round!
Eating Out The Night Before
Cavern Quarter
While the city centre has lots of restaurants, the choice can be overwhelming. You might instead want to try your luck in one of the local Lark Lane eateries – a street famed for its bohemian look, boutiques and restaurants. A popular choice is the Meat Factory, which serves up great burgers and a fun American-style menu – including American lagers and meat free options.
Afterwards, slip into The Albert Pub, a Victorian original, for a pint.
Later and back in the centre, you can’t miss a visit to the legendary Cavern Club in the Cavern Quarter – where The Beatles appeared no less than 292 times in their early days.
Beware if you’re not the most comfortable in small underground spaces – as the dingy underground walls offer very little escape from what is basically a cellar. Despite this, The Cavern Club is still as good a spot as any to catch a live act, and the decor plays into the spirit of 50s rock and roll with black and white photos and music memorabilia pasted on every wall.
Celebrating a Win…or Not!
When it comes to post-match nightlife – Liverpool is well-versed and well prepared – win or lose.
One of the best places to celebrate or drown your sorrows is the huge and architecturally stunning Philharmonic Pub (a favourite with John Lennon and many a Liverpool fan over the decades and home to a set of legendary pink marble urinals).
If you prefer something a bit more lively, head down Lime Street to Renshaw Street and try the Dispensary – which always has plenty of local supporters and good real ale on tap. Another popular choice is Pogue Mahones at the top of Seel Street.
If you want to keep going through the night, then take a look at the Baltic Triangle (Liverpool’s creative sector) which has a good collection of modern clubs and bars. I spent the night in Haus club (inside Camp & Furnace) – a converted warehouse that hosts house, garage and techno club nights – excellent for celebrating a win!
Tune Hotel Liverpool is located right in the city centre and just a 10-minute drive from Anfield Stadium – making it an ideal budget hotel for enjoying a leisurely match weekend, convenient both for the big game and to explore the city.