10 Reasons To Get Down To Quiggins

You may have noticed that Quiggins at Grand Central is undergoing a bit of a makeover.

The charm of the old Quiggins on School Lane, just next to the Bluecoat, has never been lost, however, it seems that it may have been slightly forgotten. That is why it’s so important that we support this latest renovation.

The original Quiggins was actually born in Liverpool on Renshaw Street in 1986, it outgrew its space and moved into the Palatine Building on School Lane in 1988, this is where the real journey began.

The original Quiggins

It become a firm favourite for lovers of all things weird, wonderful and whacky. That smell of incense hit your slap bang in the face the instant you walked in, and your eyes would light up at the colourful sights on offer.

Sadly the building was closed t0 make way for what we now know as Liverpool ONE, but the memories live on and that journey continues at Grand Central.

Here are 10 reasons why you need to get to Quiggins and keep on supporting one one of the city’s best loved ‘out there’ complexes.

Grand Central Dome

Although not strictly Quiggins, The Grand Central Dome is perhaps our most impressive, hidden venue and it is furthering that unmistakable Quiggins vibe and attitude. How? How about hosting some of the coolest gigs that the likes of Liverpool Music Week has to offer, or maybe a Halloween Horror film screening with live, interacting actors in amongst the audience. That hippy gothic crossover that personifies Quiggins is being taken to the next level in the attic.

Tiny Rick’s Cafe 

A brand spanking new cereal and board game cafe is now open for business, the latest in what has been, and is sure to continue, in a long line of regeneration. Taking inspiration from the adult cartoon hit, Rick & Morty, and combining it with the hipster hit, Cereal Killers, founded in Shoreditch and Camden, Tiny Rick’s offers up a similar vibe, complete with cocktails and even a Pac-Man arcade machine. There goes all your loose change and lunch hours for the foreseeable future!

HATS B4 U ASK 

Undergoing new management, HATS B4 U ASK has been tidying up it’s act and as Quiggins at Grand Central put it themselves, the store has been given a “much needed organize”. Open Thursday to Monday you can rely on this place once again to provide you with that crazy hat that you look back on and wonder about – I’m sure we all got one of them from the old Quiggins…just us? Oh.

Cult Vinyl

There is, of course, still a record store in the basement maze that is home to many rare pieces, signed memorabilia and mounds upon mounds of must hear music to add to you collection. The revival of vinyl is great a thing and no one is doing it better than Liverpool, but there is something extra special about taking home a vinyl from Quiggins.

 Lectric-eye-emporium

Furthering the memorabilia and paraphernalia that you can find in Cult Vinyl, Lectric Eye Emporium offer the next level. Here, as well as having music merchandise, they’ve got rare and unique pieces from film and TV, currently having signed items from Adam Ant, Star Trek and Playboy.

Sharky’s – Band Tees 

If we told you that Quiggins at Grand Central have their own resident horror author, would you believe us? Of course you would. Dani Brown – Queen of Filth is one of Europe’s top female Extreme Horror authors, with books designed to test the limits of human taste and decency. They really aren’t for the faint of heart. This terrifying talent is based in Sharky’s where she also works as a band t-shirt consultant, specialising in Goth, New-Wave and Black Metal. Signed books are available from Sharky’s and can be personalised on request. You won’t find these in Waterstones.

 Total Recall Vintage Liverpool

What is near the top of the list when you think of Quiggins? Vintage clothing, of course. If you used to head to Quiggins to cover yourself head to toe, then make sure you head to Total Recall Vintage. This store is dressed in authentic vintage and retro clothing and accessories, keeping you set apart from the rest of the crowd.

Amethyst Ink

This new tattoo parlour is going strength to strength at the moment and is giving some of the Bold Street favourites a run for their money already. A tattoo from Quiggins seemed to be a long lost thing, but not anymore, as the work coming out of this place is breathtaking. Check out their page for their portfolio.

Magic Willow

And speaking of amethysts, Magic Willlow pride themselves in supplying stunning amethysts. Stop in for all you crystals, incense and alternative gifts that you can only find at Quiggins. Magic Willow gives the alternative shopping complex its hippy edge amongst the gothic and vintage whirlwind and, as you step through its doors, you’ll be greeted by that familiar, Quiggins smell.

Barcelona Bar

There’s been no official statement on what is happening to the site on which the old Barcelona Bar once stood, before becoming The Hippy Hole. However, it only takes a wonder past the window to see that they are building something special in there, and we’ve heard on the grapevine that a regenerated Barcelona Bar is on the cards. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and are wishing upon our new crystals we got from Magic Willow.

Tell us about your favourite times at one of the many incarnations of Quiggins? Tweet us @TheGuideLpool or get us on Facebook too, share the memories and keep supporting.

By Alex Dop