Liverpool is one of England’s most eclectic and stunning destinations.
However, the density of great things to do in the city can catch some of our guests off guard, so to help we’ve put together our essential guide to what to see, what to eat and drink, and where to shop in Liverpool.
All of these attractions are within walking distance from Tune Hotel Liverpool – use the map to find your way around and plan an unforgettable day or evening.
Attractions
Royal Liver Building
http://www.royalliverbuilding.com/
Photo (C) Adam Tas
This stunning Grade-1 listed building hovers over the River Mersey and is one of three distinctive waterside buildings that make up the Three Graces. Look out for the iconic Liver Birds, protecting the city of Liverpool from atop the two stunning clock towers.
Radio City Beacon
http://www.radiocity.co.uk/local/radio-city-viewing-gallery/
Liverpool’s skyline is dominated by a grand and varied mix of architecture, spanning Victorian, gothic and modern, to name but a few. For the best views over the city – ascend to the viewing gallery inside the Radio City Beacon, which offers stunning 360° views out over the entire city.
Cavern Club
http://www.cavernclub.org/
Photo (C) Cavern Club
The legendary Cavern Club is a mecca for Beatles fans as it’s the club where Lennon, McCartney et al, had their first gigs. These days it’s decked out in all kinds of memorabilia from the 50’s (and beyond) rock and roll scene in Liverpool, and as luck would have it, is still a fantastic place to catch a live band and indulge in a drink or two. The club even has its own resident ‘Cavern Club Beatles’ tribute band. They play live most weekends.
Pier Head (Ferries)
http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/contact-us/find-us/Pages/Pier-Head.aspx
Pier Head is one of the most stunning areas of Liverpool – home to the iconic ‘Three Graces’ buildings and a wonderful collection of restaurants and bars, as well as countless events throughout the year. It’s also a great place to jump aboard a ferry to cross the Mersey. We recommend taking a trip out in the evening to see the waterside beautifully lit under the night sky.
Liverpool Catholic Cathedral
http://www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk/
The Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is one of the most striking modernist buildings in the city. The building, designed by Frederick Gibberd, is a conically shaped church designed to allow a congregation of 2,000 to each see the altar. Hence the altar sitting in the middle of the structure. All this sits atop a crypt, completed in 1958, which was to be the first stage of what was to become the second largest church in the world. Unfortunately, the project was halted due to the Second World War, and later cancelled due to rising construction costs.
Liverpool Cathedral
http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/
Photo (C) Bob Edwards
If you prefer more traditional Christian architecture then take a peak at the Liverpool Cathedral just east of the Baltic Triangle. Gothic Revival in style, and the longest cathedral in the world. The only church structure larger is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Impressive to say the least.
Museums & Galleries
Museum of Liverpool
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/
The addition of the exceptionally modern Museum of Liverpool on the waterfront has led to some heated discussion as to whether it’s an eyesore or a modern beauty. We like it. It offers an aesthetic contrast to mirror those found in the exhibitions and displays found within the museum, which include everything from photography exhibits on the war, and the well known Cheshire Hoards collection to Mesolithic & modern archaeological discoveries.
Tate Liverpool
http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool
Tate Liverpool is one of several museums located in the lively Albert Docks area. Inside, you’ll find the National Collection of Modern Art in the north, as well as an eclectic and ever-changing programme of events and exhibitions throughout the year. The upcoming (18/05/2016 – 18/09/2016) Francis Bacon exhibition at the Tate Liverpool will be the largest such exhibition ever staged in the north of England.
Titanic Memorial
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/visit/floor-plan/titanic/
This wonderful free exhibition explores the story of the Titanic and her links to the city of Liverpool, as well as personal stories of the passengers and crew on board. If you’re an enthusiast or would like to see more relating to the Titanic in Liverpool then we suggest you also pay a visit to the Memorial on the Merseyside.
Memorial to the Engine Room Heroes of the Titanic
You’ll find the somewhat sullen, though beautiful, Memorial to the Engine Room Heroes of the Titanic on St. Nicholas Place, at the Pier Head. The memorial was constructed in memorial to the heroism shown by the ship’s engineers, who kept their posts even as the Titanic began to sink. It’s a beautiful place next to the water to reminisce and ponder how the Titanic might have looked in the Mersey if it had ever set sail from the city.
Merseyside Maritime Museum
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/
This gloriously enlightening museum sits in a stunning red brick building in Albert Docks and serves as an excellent starting point for those with a desire to learn more about the maritime history of Liverpool. Look out for the Seized! The Border and Customs Uncovered exhibition, in the basement too, which is an incredible journey into the world of a customs officer. It sounds tedious, but the visuals showing the incredible measures that people have gone to in order to smuggle drugs through border control is worth it alone.
International Slavery Museum
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/about/
Photo (C) Jonathan Oldenbuck
In the same building as the Maritime Museum, and spread across a second location in the Albert Docks, is the International Slavery Museum, whose exhibits are focused on the previously untold stories of enslaved people both in an historical and contemporary context.
Theatres & Cinemas
Royal Court Theatre
http://www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk/
The Grade-II listed Art Deco Royal Court Theatre is one of two notable theatres in Liverpool. If you feel like catching a show while in Liverpool then take a look at the website for the current listings, and look out for The Golden Oldies – a 60’s comedy musical coming over the spring and Twopence to Cross The Mersey – in late summer and autumn – which is regarded as something as a classic in these parts.
Liverpool Empire Theatre
http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/
The beautiful 1920’s built Empire Theatre has hosted everyone from the Beatles to Frank Sinatra in its almost 100 year history. These days the venue is more concentrated on musical theatre, dance and opera with a huge roster of events throughout the year. Of note are famous musicals Chicago, Sister Act, Rocky Horror Show and Liverpool favourite Blood Brothers in autumn 2016.
ODEON Theatre
http://www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/find-a-venue/liverpool-one
If you feel like catching a movie whilst in Liverpool then we recommend the 14-screen ODEON Theatre inside Liverpool ONE, which as well as a large collection of screens, also has a private bar area and a fantastic view of Liverpool’s waterfront area.
Food & Drink
Albert Dock
http://www.albertdock.com/
Albert Docks is one of Liverpool’s most vibrant and entertaining hubs. As well as the world-class museums and boating available – there’s also an eclectic collection of bars and restaurants – suitable for any budget. The Spice Lounge, with its modern Indian cuisine is one of our favourites, though the excellent Vinea Wine Bar & Deli is a great choice for couples and groups looking to sample a staggering collection of wines, beers, whiskeys, cured meats and cheeses.
Pinch Liverpool
http://www.pinchliverpool.co.uk/
This great pincho bar serves a delicious selection of small snacks (pinchos) and some of the finest cocktails in all of Liverpool, in a delightfully social setting, on Castle Street. We suggest the Pinch Pisco Sour – a Peruvian white brandy with a flamed brûlée of walnut bitters, and the Essence of Lavender, a decadent mix of vodka, citrus and lavender.
Hannover Street Social
http://www.hanoverstreetsocial.co.uk/
Added to the Michelin guide in 2013, the Hannover Street Social is a perfect place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The brasserie is decked out it in stylish dark woods and brass and serves a good mixture of English and European food. It’s a good option for families and groups in search of a big restaurant with an eclectic enough menu for the whole group. However, if you’re just in search of a good cocktail – then you’ll undoubtedly find the Bellini Bar and the cocktail menu much more than satisfactory.
CAU Liverpool
http://www.caurestaurants.com/book-a-table/liverpool/
For something a little different, head to Castle Street’s CAU Restaurant and try an Argentinian steak, or an Argentinian-influenced breakfast or brunch, all cooked around a coal-fired oven. During the summer months, there’s a large street side dining area, just in case you fancy eating dinner al fresco.
Bacaro Liverpool
http://www.salthousebacaro.co.uk/
This great Italian small bites restaurant specialises in small plates of charcuterie, cheeses and Italian dishes such as fritto misto, Tuscan sausage and carpaccio. There’s a large selection of Bellinis on the menu too, as well as a Campari bar – so you can put together a perfect aperitivo.
San Carlo Restaurant
http://www.sancarlo.co.uk/liverpool
The award winning San Carlo restaurant is the number one spot in Liverpool for authentic Italian cuisine, whether that be Veneziana style fish, Florentine steak or Neapolitan pizza. The restaurant has beautiful presentation, matched only by the elegant white, black and red finish of the interiors.
Shopping
Liverpool One
http://www.liverpool-one.com/
Photo (C) Clive Varley
The cavernous Liverpool ONE is a shopping, residential and leisure complex. The outside walkways and glass-fronted façades of the shops are reminiscent of Westfield in south London, but it’s smaller, less crowded and a tiny bit more charming. The shopping on offer is mostly a cluster of highstreet stores such as Zara, John Lewis and Superdry, but you’ll also find a few designers such as Michael Kors and Ted Baker, as well as a good number of jewellers, kids stores, restaurants and gift stores.
Met Quarter Liverpool
http://www.metquarter.com/
Met Quarter is by far the best option for your luxury-shopping fix in central Liverpool. You’ll find everything from L.KBennet and Kurt Geiger to Armani Exchange and Links of London, side by side with smaller brands and beauty concessions from the likes of Illamasqua and M.A.C.
Exhibition & Event Centres
Arena Convention Centre
http://www.accliverpool.com/
Voted 2016’s best conference centre and host of a seemingly uncountable timetable of events throughout the year – the ACC is easily Liverpool’s busiest conference centre, and is just a 10 minute walk from Tune Hotel Liverpool, along Liverpool’s beautiful waterfront.
Exhibition Centre Liverpool
http://www.exhibitioncentreliverpool.com/
Right next door to the AAC is Liverpool’s recently built, of shimmering water reflecting glass, £66m exhibition centre. Coming up in 2016 is the International Festival for business, BT Accelerate and the Curve Fashion Festival, to name just a few.
Tune Hotel Liverpool is located in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre and is ideal for seeing all the sights, whether you’re in Liverpool with family, friends or in town for business. Just remember to book well in advance to secure the best rates.