20 things you can get up to this week in Liverpool (24-30 Aug 2020)

Liverpool is getting livelier by the minute and there’s loads to do as the city starts getting back to normal.

Merseyrail is back on track so you can leave the car at home and get in by train. The latest advice from Merseyrail and the latest time tables can be found here

Here’s some ideas to tempt you into town this week…

Roxy Ball Room Hanover St reopens with crazy pool and more

Photography by Contakt Photography | © All Rights Reserved.

Game on! Great news that the Hanover Street bar, restaurant and leisure space is back open from August 27 with Crazy Pool and more.

If you’ve never played Crazy Pool, it’s a mash up of Crazy Golf and Pool and £8 for 8 holes … all make sense now?! Whether you’re playing Crazy Pool, shuffleboard, or ping pong at Roxy Ball Room, you can have a great time with your mates and enjoy a craft beer or a classic cocktail.

More info here.

Afternoon Tea at The Art School

There’s afternoon tea … and there’s a masterpiece of this English classic.

For starters, you can relax in the stylish venue in Liverpool’s stunning Georgian Quarter, before indulging in a menu that showcases the best of modern British flavours, choosing three savouries from a range of exciting options including Southport potted shrimps with shallot puree, sorrel and chives on toasted soda bread, topped off with a range of sweet treats including an Art School cherry scone served with clotted cream & strawberry & Tahitian vanilla jam.

Book here.

Try the waffles at Wolf & Waffle

It used to be Neon Jamon, but now this Berry Street venue has been transformed into a brand new restaurant and bar offering beer, cocktail, wine … and waffles.

And you really have to try the waffles! There are two types, including savoury waffles like the Canadian, which comes loaded with fried buttermilk chicken strips, a poached egg, mustard maple syrup & gravy jug for £10, and sweet ones, like the Black Forest waffle, topped with black cherries, chocolate brownie, Chantilly cream, berry jam & chocolate shavings for £7.

Follow on Facebook here.

Educate yourself at International Slavery Museum

Back open, the International Slavery Museum is one of the lesser-known stars of the Liverpool museums collection but it’s a fascinating visit.

You can hear the untold stories of enslaved people, and learn about historical and contemporary slavery. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am-5pm and, as with the other museums now, you will need to book and get a combined ticket to Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Book your ticket here.

Book your own hut and try a gin or beer taster at the Chavasse Project, Liverpool ONE

The Chavasse Project is a new pop-up that’s taken up residence at Chavasse Park until September, with safe and secure, bookable private cabins offering a relaxed drinking experience – and protection against summer showers.

In partnership with Sipsmith Gin and Camden Brewery, there’s a wide selection of handcrafted gin and beers. For £16 a person, everyone gets three drinks, served by a personal host or, for £22 per head, you can upgrade to include three bespoke gin cocktails, designed and crafted by Sipsmith.

www.thechavasseproject.co.uk

Be breath-taken by Liverpool Cathedral

Built by the people for the people, Liverpool Cathedral is one of the city’s most treasured architectural gems.

Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott – who also designed the famous British red telephone box – the gothic-style cathedral is an amazing building and, as the highest cathedral in the UK you can spot most of Liverpool’s great landmarks from it and, on a good day, Blackpool Tower!

www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk

Popcorn and pictures at ODEON, Liverpool ONE

There’s nothing like seeing a new film at the cinema and with IMAX cinemas like this one, you’re definitely at the heart of the action with high-definition images and the realer-than-real digital audio.

Monster screens and mind-blowing sound mean you can immerse yourself and, with safety measures and pre-packed food at Odeon Liverpool ONE you can sit back and revel in the latest blockbusters.

See what’s on here.

Try the breakfast burrito at Lock & Key Duke Street

The Georgian townhouse hotel has already featured in The Times list of 100 top hotels so you know already it’s somewhere special, but what you might not know is it’s a great place to eat – especially brunch.

Its breakfast burritos are really something special … scrambled cheesy eggs, crushed avocado, sweet tomato salsa with bacon and chorizo within a grilled wrap anyone?

See the menu here ad order from Uber Eats

Take a trip back to the Tudor age at Speke Hall

Speke Hall is a wood-framed Tudor manor house and famous for being one of the finest surviving examples of its kind.

Owned by the National Trust and a Grade I listed building, the hall is opening its doors again this wek after lockdown so you can appreciate this splendid building at its best, from inside, as well as admire its gorgeous grounds and gardens.

Pre book your place here

Park life lunch at The Watering Can, Greenbank Park

One of Greenback Park’s most popular features, The Watering Can is a great independent restaurant and café serving small plates, drinks and homemade cakes – and there’s gorgeous ice cream to be had too.

For lunch you can enjoy hot and cold sandwiches, salads and the best burgers, so it’s the perfect place to round off a visit to the park with its lake and walled garden.

See the menu here.

Strawberry Field Forever

Mike McCartney’s photographic journey of the Strawberry Field redevelopment is opening ahead of his book launch later this year.

The photos will go alongside an exhibition with interwoven stories of the Salvation Army, the children’s home, John Lennon’s childhood and the writing of Strawberry Fields Forever.

There’s a special rate for entry until the end of September, with an adult ticket costing £7 (a 45% reduction), and you can book now for August and September at www.strawberryfieldliverpool.com

Join Bev’s Busking Bonanza

Liverpool city centre was way too quiet during lockdown, but all that’s going to change this weekend with Bev’s Busking Bonanza.

Head to Williamson Square on Saturday and, thanks to Life In Theatre Productions supported by Culture Liverpool’s Without Walls project, you’ll hear some of the city’s most talented street musicians performing on an outdoor pop-up stage, hosted by #ThisIsOurBev. There’s still a few paid 10-minute slots available, so if you fancy playing, see Lifeintheatre Productions Facebook page here.

Party with the best of the best at virtual Creamfields

Crowds might not be flocking to Creamfields like they normally would on August Bank Holiday but instead the Creamfields team will be delivering the next best thing – bringing the festival to your living room for the Creamfields House Party 2020 edition.

They’ve picked some of the best sets from Creamfields over the last few years and curated a special two-day virtual festival of back to back sets, on Saturday and Sunday, in aid of MIND (heads-up, Camelphat’s 2019 set is on Saturday night).

 More info here.

Play the craziest ever round of golf

The guys at Ghetto Golf were busy during lockdown giving the place a complete revamp so it’s wilder than ever and there’s lots of quirky stuff to look out for including an old school Super Mario hole.

It reopened at the end of last month, so if you’ve not seen the new, improved version now’s the time to grab your club, your mates, a few drinks and some fantastic street food.

Book a time slot online here.

Get to the Baltic for live arts and music

Wok underway on the Baltic Green Stage

The Baltic Green Urban Park on Jamaica Street is looking good after everyone’s hard work, and this Saturday, from 1pm to 9.30pm, it’ll be safely showcasing a celebration of performance arts.

Organised by Unusual Art Sourcing with WARPliverpool, events will run all day including kids theatre, workshops, life drawing, poetry, dance and music. Check their Facebook for timings here.

Make some new animal mates at Croxteth Park Farm

Bruce the Bull at Croxteth Park Farm

There’s no need to head out into the country for kids to have some farmyard fun, because Croxteth Park Farm is open and its rare breed animals are a friendly bunch, ready to give everyone a welcome!

Get up close for a stroke or maybe join one of the bottle-feeding sessions. It’s a great way for kids to find out all about animals.  Go to the website here to book a visit.

Celebrate Liverpool’s music scene with a free online festival

More than 60 artists will play across four stages this August Bank Holiday weekend as part of the free Liverpool Digital Music Festival, supporting local charities Claire House, Merseyside Youth Association and Mary Seacole House.

Headliners include Zuzu, Natalie McCool, The Peach Fuzz, Tokky Horror, Phil Jones, The Merchants, Ask Elliot, The Heavy North and Lauren Lo Sung. The main stage is at M&S Bank Arena and independent venues Jacaranda Phase One, E.B.G.B.S and The SAE Institute will also feature.

See the lineup here.

Eat al fresco in the secret gardena at Caldertsones

It might be too soon for the shared reading groups and events at Calderstones Park just yet, but how about supporting The Reader by enjoying the private gardens at the Mansion House there?

Summer Eats in the Secret Garden, which has been extended to mid-Sept, means you can sit out at socially-distanced benches at weekends for a specially-created menu including homemade pizzas, halloumi fries and cheeseboards from Liverpool Cheese Company.

Get tickets at here.

Sonic Yootha is going Inside Out

The much-loved Sonic Yootha weathered the lockdown storm and returned in July after too long away with its unique mix of new wave, old rave, disco, retro, rock, pop and soul – now it’s back again for a Bank Holiday date.

From 1pm-11pm on Saturday, it’s taking over 24 Kitchen Street with Inside Out. Music and vegan food, day and night, for all.

Follow Sonic Yootha on Facebook here.

Meet the wolf pack of Knowsley Safari

There’s always lots of new arrivals at Knowsley Safari Park, so no two visits will ever really be the same – but now there’s some guaranteed newbies to meet …

Five new Iberian wolf cubs have joined the Knowsley family and they’re like funny energetic kids so there’s no shortage of entertainment.  Booking is now essential for the safari park, so reserve a time slot at here.

Don’t forget Merseyrail is back and have regular services running into Liverpool City Centre and across Merseyside. Plan your journey www.merseyrail.org and watch the following video to see how they are keeping trains clean around the clock for your safety.