The Merchant

The Merchant is a lively hangout with great pizza. At the front, spilling onto the street, the outdoor tables under natty striped awnings are always popular while inside there are distressed walls which give an undone boho chic look. Or scruffy, whichever you prefer.

Out back there is a rather fine beer garden with booths and canopies – a top sun trap for summer sessions.

It’s a big place with plenty of tables, but it gets busy, particularly when there are DJs on. It’s not really a place to come for a quiet drink, particularly at weekends. But it is an essential part of Liverpool’s nightlife.

Food has a good rep; New York-style pizza by the slice comes courtesy of Nightcrawler Pizza. It’s good value and good fun. Cocktails are also a pretty impressive.