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Theatre
17 things for your Grand National week in Liverpool
3 years ago
It’s one of the biggest and most dressed up weeks for Liverpool this week with Aintree opening again for crowds and the Grand National festival starting on Thursday.
Hopefully it’ll be an amazing few days, and The Guide will be there on the course for all the action and the Style Award judging. But there’s much more than just racing happening this week, it’s a bumper one, so if you’re looking for something else to do here are 17 ideas to get on your to-do list (and a few Aintree too because we couldn’t resist).
Oh Me Oh My’s Afternoon Tea in the Sky
You know we’re heading for summer when the gorgeous roof garden at Oh Me Oh My, facing the Liver Building, opens up again. Goodness Gracious is back with Afternoon Tea in the Sky, which will now be available to book Wednesday to Friday each week for £33.50pp. What could be nicer than scones and Champagne in the sunshine?
Grand Opening Day at Aintree
The opening day of the National festival on Thursday is always special to the city and this year it’s dedicated to all those NHS staff who were so incredible in the pandemic. As well as a full day’s racing, soprano Laura Wright will join with the Merseyside NHS choir to get the opening ceremony off to a fabulous start.
Mamma Mia continues at the Empire
If you love Abba and a bit of a finale sing-a-long then this one’s not to be missed because its feelgood factor is off the scale. Unleash your Dancing Queen for a show that’s packed with all the hits and a story of friendship, love and a special mum-daughter relationship as a bride-to-be tries to work out who her dad is. On until Saturday.
Breakfast/brunch at Lime Street Central
Lime Street Central is just up the road from the station and if you’re in that part of town, it’s a great choice for freshly cooked pub food including brunch from 10am til 12. There’s loads of options like full English and a veggie full, eggs Benny, Royale and Turkish or vegan breakfast crostini. On Saturdays and Sundays you can go bottomless too from 11-2pm.
War of the Worlds live on stage at M&S Bank Arena
Jeff Wayne’s spectacular award-winning musical version of the War of the Worlds is in Liverpool on Wednesday, featuring a starry cast including Strictly’s Kevin Clifton, Duncan James from Blue, Steps’ Claire Richards – and a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson! With a 30ft tall Martian fighting machine, live music and fantastic special effects, it’s going to be a spectacular night.
Watch Liverpool in the Champions League at Yankees Sports Bar
The first leg of the quarter final is coming up on Tuesday night against Benfica so Reds fans won’t want to miss that and Yankees on Wood Street is showing the game live on its big screen. Watch with one of their classic sports icon cocktails or get the beers in.
Tasty food at GPO Metquarter
GPO in Metquarter is a top choice for food and drink because there’s so many independent traders covering all different cuisines, from Greek and Cantonese to dirty burgers plus desserts and ice cream. Go on Ladies Day and you’ll find a races bottomless brunch with 90mins of unlimited prosecco or beer.
Day out at Sudley House
If you’re in south Liverpool and looking for somewhere for a nice day out, head to Sudley House where you can wander round the beautiful gardens which are now in full spring bloom, maybe have a picnic, explore the house itself and see the exhibition of paintings on display. Open Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm.
Book dinner at Gino’s at the Melia on Old Hall Street
Gino’s at the Melia on Old Hall Street is fast becoming one of Liverpool’s most popular restaurants, so if you’ve not tried it yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. Sample Gino’s authentic Italian dishes in the big open plan restaurant then head up to the 18th floor for drinks and stunning views in the Sky Bar.
Ladies Day at Aintree
For punters it’s mostly about the big race on Saturday, but when it comes to fashion and fun you can’t beat Friday for Ladies Day at Aintree. We’ll be there as part of the judging team for the Style Award, alongside Never Fully Dressed’s Lucy Aylen, and after all the racing Craig Charles will be doing a live DJ set on the Red Rum Lawn.
Sheila’s Island at the Playhouse
Get along to the Playhouse for a show full of laughs, with a new comedy from Tim Firth (Calendar Girls) on from Tuesday until Saturday. Starring Sara Crowe, Sheila’s Island has been described as The Office meets Lord of the Flies meets Miranda, which sounds like a winning hat-trick.
Cocktails and good times at Alma De Cuba
For a guaranteed party atmosphere, Alma on Seel Street always delivers – the old church never looks anything but gorgeous, there’s a glammed up crowd and the cocktails are fantastic, whether you want classics like a strawberry daiquiri or mojito, or something quirkier like their watermelon sugar martini.
Adele tribute at Camp and Furnace
It’s not likely we’ll get to see the woman herself out performing live in Liverpool this year, but here’s the next best option – Camp and Furnace’s Someone Like Adele night on Friday features a live performance from the UK’s number of tribute act, plus there’ll be music videos, themed cocktails and DJs all night.
Grand National Day – the eyes of the world on Liverpool!
OK, this is the biggie, watched by millions of people all around the world and right on our doorstep. Pace yourself because a full day of racing starts at 1.45pm and the National is at 5.15pm when a sell-out crowd will raise the roof off the Queen Mother Stand as the winner makes that famous long run-in home.
Watch the National live at Roxy Ball Room
And if you can’t be at Aintree in person, then you can still get the atmosphere of a day at the races by watching it at Roxy Ball Room on Rainford Square. It’s brought in seven big screens for the weekend to show the racing live, then win or lose you can get the drinks in and take on your mates in some gaming of your own.
Sunday roast at the Pioneer in Crosby
Treat yourself to a really delicious Sunday roast at Pioneer Bar & Brasserie on Liverpool Road in Crosby. You can choose from beef, lamb, chicken or a nut roast with loads of veggies and Yorkshire puds, but make sure to leave room for dessert – double chocolate and orange gin brownie anyone?
Take on the Liverpool ONE Heritage Trail
This is such a great way to learn more about Liverpool’s history – Liverpool ONE has a new Heritage Trail dotted with 16 stopping off points, each with its own fascinating backstory. The whole trail should take no more than about an hour and you can pick up a free trail map from the Information Centre on Wall Street.
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