Thirst things first: the best Liverpool bars

The Art School Cellars is part of the renowned Art School restaurant but it is also an atmospheric destination in its own right. Head to this charming, subterranean bar for a pre-dinner cocktail, a post-prandial port and cheeseboard, or make it the focus of your visit. The Art School Cellars offers a lighter menu than the upstairs restaurant but it’s no less delightful for that.

Get fresh, local and honest food at City Wine Bar and Kitchen in the grade II listed ‘City Buildings’ on Old Hall Street in Liverpool. This independently owned bar and restaurant prides itself on using fresh local ingredients, producers and suppliers as much as possible.

With its six foot chandelier and gold leaf ceiling Restaurant Bar & Grill Liverpool is one of the city’s most spectacular dining settings. A £500k refurbishment in 2021 brought to life the original features of this Grade II Listed heritage building. Now it’s one of the most photogenic backdrops in Liverpool, and the food’s not half bad too.

Some bars claim to be secret speakeasies even when they’ve got a big sign outside advertising cocktails. Shhh… don’t tell anyone.

81 Ltd is different. So secretive, you feel like part of an elite club when you get in.

Albert’s Schloss Liverpool is a Bavarian bar that mixes tongue-in-cheek fun with a dedication to high quality food and drink. It’s a cool take on Munich beer hall vibes and the Schloss menu staples even get food critics excited with Jay Rayner a fan of the crispy roasted pork knuckle, or Schweinshaxe.

Follow the faint sound of live blues and jazz to find this ultra hip, hidden bar. With no sign and a closed door, Berry and Rye is a secret-knock, if-you-know-you-know type place. 

Defunct red phone boxes are always being re-purposed as mini libraries, homes for defibrillators, or, in this case, an entrance to a cocktail bar.

From the traditional British landmark, you’ll be led to a modern drinking den with fluorescent brights and glitterballs.

One of the buzziest spots in the Georgian Quarter, Frederiks models itself on the neighbourhood bars of Brooklyn. Think casual eats, coffee and lounging, with live music and quality cocktails as the day turns into night.

Little Hardware takes its name from the not-so-little Rapid Hardware store that used to take up a sizeable chunk of Renshaw Street.

Inspired by flavours from the Carribbean, Manolo offers a variety of exceptional cocktails that stem from the region. The bar takes inspiration from New York speakeasies and 5-star hotels with its exceptional level of service.

The Monro has had a full restoration as of Summer 2024 and is now back in all its new old-fashioned glory. The Georgian listed building has been taken over by The 1936 Pub Company who also run other Liverpool heritage favourites like The Red Lion and The White Hart.

Situated on the booze-soaked Seel Street, Pogue Mahones is a long-standing, much-loved spot for Saturday night shenanigans (or any night for that matter).

Present Company is a cocktail bar and a pretty good one at that. Not only does it have the seal of approval from us lot here at Confidential Guides, but it came at number 20 in the UK’s Top 50 Cocktail Bars 2023 and in 2022 it made the final five in the GQ Bar of the Year Awards. Decent.

Be transported back in time with a visit to Puffin Rooms; Liverpool’s specialist whisky and cigar bar. With over 200 rare bottles behind the bar, whisky fans are in for a treat.