Everton in the Community (EitC) has opened registration for the 10th edition of its annual Sleepout at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Taking place on Friday 2 October, this year’s ‘Stadium Sleepout’ promises to be a landmark occasion, commemorating a decade of Blues coming together to raise vital funds and awareness for the charity’s ‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ (HIWTHI) programme.

Supporters will have the chance to experience the superb sightlines of the stunning waterfront stadium, braving the winds off the River Mersey while gaining a snapshot of the daily challenges faced by people affected by homelessness across the Liverpool City Region.

Over the last 10 years, thousands of Evertonians have raised almost £500,000 for HIWTHI, which provides life-changing support to local young adults at risk of homelessness through the charity’s four-bedroom residential house and tailored outreach services.

During this decade, the Sleepout has transformed the lives of hundreds of young people across the city region. HIWTHI has prevented more than 150 individuals from falling into homelessness and provided 120 with tailored outreach support, including more than 80 who have progressed into employment, education or gained qualifications, and over 70 who have been supported to move into their own accommodation.

Now in its 10th year, EitC’s flagship fundraising event is challenging participants to raise a minimum sponsorship target of £150, with a £35 registration fee securing a place.

Since its launch in 2016, the Sleepout has become a hallmark event for EitC supporters. The first event was backed and attended by former Under-23s manager and Blues star David Unsworth and his entire squad and backroom staff and became the springboard for a season-long fundraising campaign for HIWTHI. Through a series of events, challenges and public donations, more than £230,000 was raised to secure a property which now offers young adults a safe place to stay while they get back on their feet.

HIWTHI provides at-risk young people with a place to rebuild their lives, along with bespoke support covering housing and tenancy management, budgeting, mental health, relationships and advocacy. The programme also helps participants stay on track and progress towards independent living, further education or employment. For example, the charity supported a former resident, Zahraa, to secure a full-time job, complete her college course and begin university, while continuing to provide guidance with her accommodation.

A decade of Sleepouts has shown the incredible impact supporters can make, and EitC is inviting everyone to take part in this historic event to help sustain the HIWTHI programme and continue its life-changing support for young adults.

Sarah Hunter, EitC’s Fundraising Manager, said:

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of our annual Sleepout, and we’re thrilled to invite supporters to be part of this milestone event at Hill Dickinson Stadium. It’s a special opportunity to come together as a community, experience a night that gives insight into the daily challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and raise vital funds for young people in need through HIWTHI.

“Over the past decade our incredible supporters have helped hundreds of young people avoid homelessness and take steps towards independence. We can’t wait to welcome them, and many new faces, to what promises to be a memorable and inspiring evening on the banks of the Mersey.”

Sign up for the Everton in the Community Stadium Sleepout here.

Heading to Everton’s next home game? Find out why you should park in Liverpool Waters ahead of kick-off.

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Calderstones School is opening its doors to Beatles fans for the first time since John Lennon left almost 75 years ago.

The school, formerly Quarry Bank High School where the legendary Beatle went between 1952 and 1957, is running tours around the building from this weekend.

Highlights will include the chance to stand on the original stage where John performed for the first time ever with The Quarry Men and climb the tower to the place where they were formed in 1956 before changing their name to The Beatles – and even sit at the musician’s old desk!

For fans it’s the opportunity they have been wanting for decades and, for the school, and in particular Tom Barry, the technology teacher who’s been inspirational in developing the new visitor attraction, it’s a chance to set the record straight.

Tom, a teacher at the school for the last three years said:

“I don’t so much has want to rewrite history, but correct it,”

“Our school hall, built in the 1930s, was the site of the first performance by John with The Quarry Men at a school dance in 1956 – not on the back of a wagon Rosebery Street where people make pilgrimages.

“And John had poems published in the Merseybeat magazine and people say that’s the first place they’re in – but we have copies of John’s literature about 10 years before 1964 when that was published.”

“One of the biggest messages I want to get across is that John didn’t hate his time here, as is written, but hated the way it was run.

“It was a Victorian school, he was here only a few years after the war, and it was strict and stern. For someone with John’s humour, it probably wasn’t the best environment.

“But from stories we’ve found, he probably had the happiest five years of his life here, because all he did every day was mess around with his mates, and laugh, and play practical jokes on people and entertain them.

“And, in his last year when Mr Pobjoy took over as headmaster, the school became more nurturing and he was encouraged to write poems for the school magazine, create artwork for the school magazine and events, and perform his music at the school dance.

“All the things he’d go on to be so famous for.”

Beatles fan Tom, 29, from West Derby, had the idea for the John Lennon School Tour when he first joined Calderstones:

“I said to the head that we weren’t capitalising on the huge interest the school held for Beatles fans, and at that time I wasn’t thinking of anything monetary, just in terms of allowing fans to come into the school every now and then.

“But when I started uncovering all sorts of different stories and found artefacts which are currently on loan to The Beatles Museum in Mathew Street, we realised it could be a lot bigger than we’d originally thought.

“It stems from the fact that there are pieces of history hidden purely because some people at the school over the years didn’t really want the publicity of ‘this is where John Lennon went’. But there are a lot of firsts that happened here that have been credited to other places like I say, so part of it is correcting what a lot of the history books say.”

As well as midweek private tours at the end of the school day, The John Lennon School Tours will be held ‘quietly’ every other two weeks until the six-week summer holidays when an exhibition in the detention room – ‘where John spent a lot of his time’ – will become part of the tour and feature the memorabilia currently on loan.

“I’ve done a lot of research, I’ve tracked down John’s classmates and got their stories and verified them, and we found John’s school desk locked away in the attic of one of the manor houses which had become bit of a dumping ground.

“We have school magazines with his artwork, the school ledger where he’s inducted into the school, and all that is coming back to us ready for Beatle Weekend. Until then you can have a general tour and see some of the sites that were a formative part of his life and the start of The Beatles.”

Tom says it’s been ‘cool’ to make so many discoveries:

“It’s nice to be on the other side of Beatles events and to be the expert and have people asking me. It’s fascinating and it’s a privilege.

“The fact that John left just shy of 75 years ago and no-one has done anything with this stuff – maybe because they didn’t know it was there … but yeah, it’s a privilege that it’s been left and someone who really cares about the school and the story and The Beatles can pick it up.”

Tom, whose love of The Fab Four began when he inherited records from his late grandfather, Alan, goes on: “The fundraising element of the tours will benefit the school with the money going into a John Lennon pot so we can do related projects with the kids to keep the legacy going, and it encourages them to look at what they can achieve.

“Quite a lot of prominent figures have come through the school including politicians and government officials and other musicians like John Power from the Cast and the La’s. The kids are proud of where they come from and who’s been before, and it gives them something to aim for.

“There’s been so much mystery over the years and it’s super exciting to be the person who can showcase the school and make fans happy by giving them something they’ve wanted to see, and to complete the story of John Lennon and The Quarry men, because it’s their story as well.”

Find out more about the tours here.

Find out more about The Beatles here.

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Disney+ has announced it has signed a deal with Stephen Graham and Hannah Walters’ production company to release a new series.

The two-year deal between Disney+ and the couple’s Matriarch Productions will see the streamer release original scripted and unscripted series made by the company.

The Adolescence stars said in a joint statement:

“We are beyond thrilled to be working with Disney+ and through this creative partnership will strive to produce inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking storytelling.”

Matriarch Productions, which is best known for producing Netflix hit Adolescence, and was also behind Hulu Original series A Thousand Blows – along with The Story Collective and Water And Power Productions, which has its second season available to stream on Disney+.

Angela Jain, head of content at Disney+ EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), added:

“Stephen and Hannah have proven they know how to tell bold, impactful stories and our vision also aligns with them around providing a platform for underrepresented voices in the UK.

“Distinctive, local stories that entertain and resonate with audiences are what Disney+ are committed to championing, making Matriarch the perfect partners as we look to evolve our production slate in the UK.

“This is a dream, and we’re thrilled to continue working with them.”

Matriarch Productions saw its first feature film, Boiling Point, premiere at the London Film Festival (LFF) in 2021, earning four Bafta Film nominations, it was adapted into a six-part BBC television series of the same name in 2022.

The company’s best known work, Adolescence, features This Is England star Graham as Eddie Miller, the father of 13-year-old Jamie, played by Owen Cooper, when armed police burst into his home to arrest his son.

Eddie is then chosen as Jamie’s appropriate adult, accompanying him at the police interview and learning the extent of what his son is accused of doing.

The programme, co-written by Graham and Jack Thorne, has prompted a national conversation around online safety, examining so-called incel (involuntary celibate) culture, which has led to misogyny online and bullying using social media.

Last year, Graham and Thorne were invited to a parliamentary meeting on the subject by Labour MP Josh MacAlister, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also praised the show, urging Parliament and schools to watch it, and saying he had watched the show with his own children.

You can watch Stephen Graham’s previous production, Adolescence, here.

Find out more about Adolescence’s huge win at the Golden Globes here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Liverpool is set to welcome the Artisan Craft & Spirits Festival this March, hosted at the iconic historic St George’s Hall.

Jointly delivered by Your City Events and headlined by Turncoat Distillery, the one-day festival will bring together independent distillers from across the UK for a celebration of modern British spirits, craftsmanship, and creativity, all set within one of the country’s most impressive heritage venues.

Positioned as one of the largest gatherings of craft distillers under one roof in the Northwest, the festival will feature unlimited tastings, free masterclasses, live atmosphere, and the opportunity for guests to meet the makers behind the bottles shaping the future of UK distilling.

Distillers travelling from around the country will host their own interactive spaces, offering guests insight into flavour profiles, production methods, and the stories behind their brands. From gin and rum to vodka, whisky and beyond, the festival promises a curated experience designed for both enthusiasts and those new to craft spirits.

The Artisan Craft & Spirits Festival will run across two dedicated sessions on Saturday 7 March:

• Day Session: 12:00pm – 4:00pm

• Evening Session: 6:00pm – 10:00pm

Each session offers the same distillers, tastings, and experiences, allowing guests to choose the time that suits them best. As Liverpool’s headline distillery, Turncoat Distillery will act as host for the event, welcoming producers from across the UK and showcasing the city’s growing reputation within the modern spirit’s landscape.

Turncoat will also lead exclusive tastings and headline masterclasses during each session. Tickets are available across a range of options, including General Admission, VIP tickets, and a limited number of concession tickets for students and over-65s.

VIP tickets include fast-track entry, access to a dedicated lounge, guaranteed seating, and additional on-site benefits.

Find out more on the St George’s Hall website.

Find more great events across Liverpool on our calendar.

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Hard Day’s Night Hotel is launching the ‘The Inside Story’, a stunning 224-page, limited-edition hardcover coffee table book, that chronicles the extraordinary 15-year journey behind the creation of the world’s only Beatles-inspired hotel.

Created by celebrated artist and musician, Shannon MacDonald and legendary Cavern Club owner, Bill Heckle, the book features over 80 of Shannon’s evocative paintings, with historical narrative provided by Bill.

From early struggles and bold ambition to perseverance, triumph and global recognition, the book tells a deeply personal and richly detailed story. It opens with Room 101, featuring Shannon’s original Hard Day’s Night Hotel logo, and unfolds through pivotal moments in The Beatles’ accolades, historically and chronologically culminating to the final room: the Las Vegas Show… LOVE.

To coincide with the book launch, a brand-new, never-before-seen painting by Shannon, widely known as “The World’s Greatest Beatles Artist” (a title bestowed on her by Liverpool’s very own Lord Mayor), will be unveiled at an exclusive VIP red-carpet evening at the Hard Day’s Night Hotel in Liverpool on Friday 6^th February 2026.

This highly anticipated artwork marks the final piece in Shannon’s long-standing creative journey with the hotel, completing the visual story that now adorns the walls of this iconic North John Street landmark. Until the moment of its reveal, the painting will remain a closely guarded secret, to be unveiled live in the hotel lounge by Shannon herself alongside Cavern Club owner Bill Heckle.

The VIP launch is expected to welcome distinguished guests including Julia Baird, John Lennon’s sister, along with other Beatles dignitaries, creatives, and cultural figures. Shannon and Bill, who first met at a Beatles Convention in Connecticut in 1994 and have remained close friends ever since, will be present to speak and sign copies of the book.

Set within Liverpool’s Grade II-listed Central Buildings and opened in 2008 in the heart of the Cavern Quarter, the hotel has become an international destination for Beatles fans and music lovers alike.

Liam Baker-Bellew, the hotel’s first-ever Liverpool-born General Manager, says:

“This VIP evening is our way of thanking Shannon and Bill for their extraordinary dedication, creativity, and support over the years. It’s also a moment to celebrate not just the launch of the book and the unveiling of the final painting, but our identity, our heritage, and our future.

We are the only Beatles-inspired hotel in the world, but more than that, we are a living part of Liverpool’s cultural story. As we step into 2026, this marks the next chapter for Hard Day’s Night Hotel, honouring where we’ve come from while looking forward to what’s next.’

Find out more about the Hard Days Night Hotel ‘The Inside Story’ here.

Find out what’s on in Liverpool this week here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Liverpool Cruise Port is looking forward to another record breaking year as it sails into greater success with more cruise liners and visitors than ever before.

In 2026, 120 vessels – up by five from last year – will visit the city, with 220,000 guests and 80,000 crew members on board.

That translates to more than £20m being ploughed into the Liverpool City Region as the Port, part of the privately-owned Global Ports Holding which took over in April 2024, celebrates increasing progress and prosperity year on year.

“In addition to that we support supply chains, local hauliers, local jobs – we recruit 50 local jobs throughout the season – and so the overall economic benefit is much bigger,”

John Mawer, general manager of Liverpool Cruise Port said:

“What we can quantify is £20m, based on what we know people will spend in the region.

“When you talk about the 50 jobs, the hotel bed stays, hauliers and supply chains, people who bring produce and fuel etc., our economic footprint is even wider.

“All indications are that it will be our biggest year yet, a record breaking year with the biggest number of passengers, and so it’s all good news.”

John adds:

“We are incredibly fortunate that since Covid when our industry was relatively decimated for the best part of a year and a half, we have bounced back as a real success story, not just regionally but internationally.”

Much of that is due to the hard work and efforts of GPH and Liverpool Cruise Port which has worked hard to showcase the North West region: establishing partnerships to ensure Liverpool is positioned strongly internationally, offering convenience and value along with operational expertise, and providing varied shore excursions and destination tours within the area.

“When you package all that up, it shows a growing market and a successful business. We are really happy with the acquisition of Liverpool and things are moving in the direction that we’d hoped – delivering 20.8% more people into the city this year than in 2022 – and that will promote further investment which we want to unlock going forward.”

Liverpool Cruise Port will look forward to welcoming the iconic Disney Dream for the first time in September with a fanfare and a series of events involving the community.

And Cunard’s Queen Anne, for which the city is godparent, will return for her fourth visit in June as part of a 12-night British Isles cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin and the Royal Caribbean will be among other big name favourites whose vessels we’ll see arriving.

The contribution Liverpool Cruise Port makes to the city is huge, and although it is a commercial and private operator it remains invested, says John, in Liverpool and its cruise liner legacy.

“We are a community beacon and a source of excitement and heritage, and we don’t want to move away from that.

“Even though we are a private company we want to retain all those values.”

Away from the financial side of the company, Liverpool Cruise Port is planning a host of events and projects in 2026 to cement its positive social and environmental impact on the region, including:

* A Women in Maritime Day teaming up with Fred Olsen

* Maritime Careers Day to mark International Day of the Seafarer in which local maritime education establishments and employers will be involved

* International Coastal Clean Up Day, a port initiative to bring together partners and Sefton Council to highlight biodiversity and the effects on the environment

Liverpool Cruise Port has also partnered with Fred Olsen, Mersey Ferries and Liverpool City Council to put defibrillators on the Pier Head, to which the city council is going to add a Stop the Bleed cabinet, which will help the night-time economy and the community on and around the waterfront focal point.

John concludes:

“It’s really important to say that there is a monetary and economic impact to what we do, but we also want to be a driver for those community initiatives.

“Rather than just counting the pennies we want to ask how, as an institution, do we give a little back to.

“And that’s something there will definitely be more of this year.”

Find out more about Liverpool Cruise Port here.

Find out what’s on across Liverpool in 2026 here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

LOOK Climate Lab is a biennial programme exploring how photography can be a relevant and powerful medium for talking about climate change.

Open Eye Gallery is set to transform into a lab, bringing together researchers, activists and artists to test their ideas, and encouraging audiences to discuss systematic changes needed for dealing with the climate crisis.

LOOK Climate Lab 2026 will take place from 23 January 2026 to 29 March 2026, with this year’s programme focusing on gardens and how people connect with green spaces. 

Max Gorbatskyi, Open Eye Gallery’s curator, said: 

From memorials to places to hang out with friends, from horticultural perfection to an accidental hedge near your house or a tree that brings back memories, we examine the role plants play in our lives, and how our lives shape theirs.

LOOK Climate Lab 2026 projects include:

• My Nature Connection. Photographer Stephanie Wynne has been collaborating with volunteers for Whitby Park Community Garden exploring the positive impact of nature connections, developed in partnership with Chester Zoo as part of their Networks for Nature programme.
• Pansy Project. Paul Harfleet has been planting pansies at sites of homophobic and transphobic abuse since 2015. Through this quiet yet powerful act, the ongoing project gently confronts hate crime and brings visibility to LGBTQ+ experiences that often go unreported. 
• Emergence. A socially engaged project between volunteers at Victoria Park Butterfly House and visual artist Anna Wijnhoven. Through a series of photographs and collaborative work, it celebrates the often unseen efforts of those who sustain this unique urban sanctuary. Part of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Cultural Events Programme.
• OFFSHOOT is a collaboration between University of Salford Art Collection, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Open Eye Gallery. Socially engaged photographers Fiona Robinson, Anoosh Ariamehr and Liz Lock have been working at RHS Garden Bridgewater and with different groups from the Salford community, including youth groups, wellbeing and community groups. 
• Meanwhile, artist Yan Wang Preston embarked on a memory gathering process in response to the oldest tree at RHS Bridgewater. This magnificent sweet chestnut tree, estimated to be 300 years old, stands on the historical grounds of RHS Bridgewater. If trees are memory keepers, what might this tree recollect from the past three centuries? 
• TreeStory Wigan. The Story of Wigan Through its Trees was launched in 2025 by Open Eye Gallery and dot-art in partnership with Wigan Council, celebrating Wigan’s 50th anniversary. Much of Wigan’s green space has been reclaimed from post-industrial sites, transforming former coalfields into thriving natural habitats. Through photography, creative workshops, school visits and outdoor adventures, led by socially engaged photographers Lizzie King and Andy Yates, the project is bringing together local schools, community groups, and residents to share their personal TreeStories and connect with Wigan’s unique natural and industrial heritage. 
• Veterans’ Oaks is a nationwide, community-led initiative to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two – historically marked as the ‘oak anniversary’. Through the symbolic act of planting oak trees across the United Kingdom, the initiative commemorates, remembers and celebrates the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the generation who lived through the war – both military personnel and civilians – and pledges to safeguard the nation’s environmental future in our struggle against climate change.
• Seeds of Change is a live project reimagining urban green spaces at the University of Salford. Three students and graduates, Nia Hoffman, Fariba Najafi Barzegar and Frances Veltkamp, have been working in collaboration with university staff, Open Eye Gallery and landscape architects Planit to design a series of multi-sensory and sustainable artworks and planting interventions for the space. The project transforms the space into a vibrant, welcoming, and ecologically rich ‘green doorway’ for the campus. 
• Roam, River, Roam is a practice-as-research project by artist and producer Liz Wewiora, which forms part of her wider current PhD in collaboration with the University of Salford and Open Eye Gallery. Liz has been working as a photographic artist in residence with different communities located at the points where various rivers meet. The residency explores individuals’ relationship to their local river and its surrounding public green spaces.

The events programme includes workshops, talks, open meetings and more – to be announced soon.

Find out the latest in Liverpool here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Spice Girl Melanie C has said the iconic girl group are “frightened” to do a reunion the wrong way in a recent interview.

The singer, 52, also known to fans as Sporty Spice, addressed the possibility of a Spice Girls reunion with Rebecca Judd on her Apple Music show, following speculation around this year’s 30th anniversary of their hit single Wannabe.

The pop group, who formed in 1994, went on to dominate the charts with hits such as Who Do You Think You Are? and Viva Forever – and was comprised of Mel C, full name Melanie Chisholm, Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Lady Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell-Horner.

Mel C said her bandmate Bunton, who was known as Baby Spice, is rooting for a reunion.

She told Judd: “I’m not going to throw anybody under the bus. We all are so proud, of course we are, of our legacy. It’s amazing. And it is 30 years and we do have to celebrate that in some way this year. I’m always optimistic.”

Chisholm described herself and singer Brown, or Mel B, as the “cheerleaders” pushing for a possible reunion.

She said: “Emma’s totally with us, but we all love it so much. I think it’s so precious to us.

“We’re frightened to do it the wrong way. Do you know what I mean? So it’s like we’re still working, we’re always talking, lines of communication are open and we are just waiting until we all decide on exactly the best way to do it.”

The girl group’s debut single Wannabe was released in 1996 and after two years at the top of the charts, Halliwell-Horner, nicknamed Ginger Spice, shocked the world when she left in 1998, citing “differences between us”.

In December 2000, the rest of the group went their separate ways, announcing an indefinite hiatus.

The Spice Girls reunited in 2012 for the closing ceremony of the London Summer Olympics and in 2019 for their Spice World tour – which did not feature Lady Beckham, who was also known as Posh Spice.

Since then, the chart-topping girl group has been the subject of speculation about their return to the stage.

In April 2024, Sir David Beckham sparked an online frenzy when he posted a video of the girl band singing and dancing onstage to their 1998 hit Stop at Lady Beckham’s 50th birthday party.

The former footballer later shut down the rumours of a reunion, and in an interview with US magazine Variety, he said: “I’ll still work at it, don’t worry.”

The full interview with Mel C is available on The Rebecca Judd Show on Apple Music.

Find out the latest in Liverpool here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Child killer Jon Venables is set to have his latest bid for freedom heard by the Parole Board.

The 43-year-old, who tortured and murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993, will have his case heard by parole chiefs at an oral hearing more than two years after his last appeal.

In 2023, the Parole Board rejected the bid and found he still posed a danger to children and could go on to offend again.

Venables was jailed alongside Robert Thompson after the pair of 10-year-olds snatched James from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

Venables was released on licence in July 2001 and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.

He was once again freed in August 2013 and then called back in November 2017 for the same offence, with parole judges considering his case again in September 2020.

The Daily Mirror reported that James’s family was informed on Tuesday of the upcoming parole hearing, which it said is expected next month.

No date has yet been confirmed by the Parole Board.

Spokeswoman Kym Morris, on behalf of James’s mum Denise Fergus, told the paper:

“Once again, Denise Fergus has been forced to confront a process that reopens unimaginable trauma.

“Denise was hoping for a redirection … allowing her a measure of peace and protection from further distress. That hope has now been taken away.”

Ms Morris added that Ms Fergus’s application to observe the hearing has been granted.

Victims have been able to attend parole hearings held in private under reforms rolled out nationally in April as part of efforts to boost confidence in the justice system.

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From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

A season of brand-new Murder Mystery Afternoon Teas is coming to the Everyman after completely selling out every show in 2025.

The hugely popular whodunnits are created by Liverpool-based DBY Interactive and written by the company’s founder Becky Brooks.

Last year they put on around 20 shows Downstairs at the Everyman and amateur sleuths snapped up every ticket almost as soon as they went on sale.

Now the theatre has commissioned another series of four new Agatha Christie style Afternoon Tea shows across the new year – plus there’ll be a murderous Valentine’s Special entitled ‘The Grand Finale’.

Becky, who lives in Wirral, came up with the idea of combining afternoon tea with an immersive murder mystery where audience members get to play detective and work out which character is the villain.

She launched the concept in April 2024, working with a core cast of talented local actors, and they proved an instant hit.

Becky said:

“The Everyman have really supported us, and helped us grow our voice and our identity, which has been brilliant,”

“I want the audiences to feel part of the shows, it’s escapism so they can really throw themselves into the experience and just enjoy themselves.

“You can feel the atmosphere in the room, how relaxed people are and how much they’re getting into it, and there’s such a mixed age range. 

“When we first started out it was an older audience but now a lot more younger people come with parents or grandparents, and we get a few teenagers too, they’re normally the best detectives in the room!”

Becky says she writes her shows in layers, so people can get decide for themselves how much they get involved in the sleuthing

“Some people come just for the theatrical experience and the fun of it, and some really want to be challenged with all the clues and working out a motive. 

“I tend to write the show and then go through it and work on the finer details and connections to make sure there are enough subtle clues. There’s nothing better than having a sudden twist when, as an audience member, you think you know what’s happened, but it’s also great for the cast to see someone get it because they were really listening.

“I love those moments when there’s a collective gasp because a room full of people are totally in your story, that’s such a good feeling.”

One of the things audiences love most about DBY’s murder mystery afternoon teas – as well as the scones – is the interaction: they get to interrogate characters at their tables as part of the show.

“People do work together and collaborate on ideas with other tables, so you get this community detective hub going on,” adds Becky.

“I think the setting really helps that because it’s a bistro and we only have 76 people in the room so it’s such an immersive very personal experience.”

Tickets for the Valentine’s Special, The Grand Finale featuring world-famous illusionist Theodore the Magnificent, are already on sale with shows from Thursday February 12 to Saturday February 14.

Then there’ll be a further four brand-new ones to come in April, July, September and December. Rest In Pieces is set at the wake of a WWII decoder who’s put a code in her will which the audience needs to decipher.  Last One Standing has guests with hidden histories heading to a luxury island in the 1920s, and Union of Revenge is based in the 1960s in an ex-asylum now turned into the home of an artist.

The final show of the year, a Christmas special, will be Murder at Blackout, where the Everyman basement becomes a WW2 bunker filled with characters who may or may not be who they say they are.

Tickets for those four shows will go on sale soon, and Becky is excited to welcome new and returning fans, and reunite her cast.

“I’ve been growing the company for 10 years and the actors I work with I think are some of the best in the North West,” she says. “They bring it all to life and I’m so lucky to have them.

“Having all our shows sell out is a writer’s dream, I’ve always loved murder mysteries and interactive theatre so it’s so nice that other people love it too.”

You can book tickets for the Murder Mystery: The Grand Finale Valentine’s Special here.

Find out more of the theatre shows that are coming to Liverpool in 2026 here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Andy Robertson has admitted performances have to improve in the second half of the season despite the 11 game unbeaten run Liverpool FC have achieved.

Comfortable at 2-0 until Dominik Szoboszlai’s display of arrogance in his own six-yard box gifted the visitors a goal, it took two late strikes from Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike – who cost a combined £195m in the summer – to make the game safe.

Letting opponents back into games has been a common theme this season for the defending Premier League champions and Robertson said that is something which has to be stopped.

He said:

“I don’t think the performance was overly great. We showed moments of really good individual quality, but we’ve got to play a lot better than that if we want to go further in this competition,” he said.

“Going 11 unbeaten is good (but) some of the performances still have to be better.

“We’ve got the draws against Leeds, Sunderland – games you’re expected to win – but there was the draw at Arsenal, a win at San Siro (against Inter Milan).

“We’ve stopped the bad form but we need to still lift the levels of performance. Everyone knows that and that’s what we’re working towards.”

After nine defeats in 12 matches during October and November, the priority was to stop the rot and make the team more difficult to beat.

But the criticism now is that Arne Slot’s side are dominating games but not taking their chances.

Robertson added:

“We’ve looked a bit more secure defensively which is pleasing but now we need to put it all together because people are saying we’re lacking an attacking threat,”

“We need to now get both because at the start of the season we were really good going forward but probably a little bit too open at the back. Now we’ve kind of reversed it.

“If you want to win trophies and go further in tournaments, you have to get the perfect balance and that’s what we’re working towards.”

Robertson admitted Szoboszlai had received some choice words from his team-mates at half-time after his crazy backheel allowed Adam Phillips to score but he said the Hungary captain had banked plenty of credit as their best player this season.

“The frustrating thing is Dom does this unbelievable 60-yard sprint to start with, he’s getting the clap off The Kop and I don’t know if that maybe went to his head,” he said.

“We can joke about it now but it’s unacceptable to lose a goal like that. Dom obviously knows that. He’s been magnificent for us this season and he was again really good.

“He just had a lapse of concentration, and we can’t afford too many of them in the six-yard box.”

Book your Anfield experience here.

Find out how you can experience Liverpool FC for less this January here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Disney On Ice is returning to Liverpool spring 2026 with Into The Magic, a spectacular family show bringing Disney’s most beloved stories to life on ice.

The show, starring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, takes audiences on a magical journey across raging seas, snowy mountains and even the Marigold Bridge.

Families can enjoy adventures with favourite characters from Moana, Frozen, Coco and Beauty and the Beast, packed with courage, love and unforgettable moments.

The production features more than 550 hours of rehearsal, over 213 dazzling costumes and around 180 props, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The show travels in 14 trucks, with each set taking approximately 12 hours to build.

Highlights include Moana’s high-sea quest to save her island alongside the demigod Maui, Miguel’s journey across the Marigold Bridge into the vibrant Land of the Dead in Coco, and Belle’s transformative adventure in Beauty and the Beast.

Fans will also see Anna and Elsa, Rapunzel and Flynn, and Cinderella bring courage and determination to the ice, inspiring children to find their inner hero.

Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic promises a dazzling, action-packed experience for the whole family, combining breathtaking skating, enchanting storytelling, and timeless Disney magic.

Disney On Ice presents Into The Magic will be at the M&S Bank Arena from 26 February to 1 March 2026, with tickets on sale here.

Check out more theatre shows that are coming to Liverpool in 2026.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Knowsley Safari has announced an adorable new arrival, Kamari, a seven-week-old female Southern White Rhino calf.

Born to nine-year-old mum Bayami. Meaning moonlight in Swahili, Kamari marks an important role in the conservation of this near-threatened species.

Born on 20^th November 2025, Kamari is a healthy, confident calf, weighing an estimated 40–60kg at birth, typical for her species. According to her keepers, she’s doing brilliantly, walking, feeding from mum and enjoying bursts of energy as she runs around her pen before settling down for naps. Bayami is proving to be a gentle and attentive mum, guiding Kamari to feed, and keeping a watchful eye as her calf explores.

Kamari is the second calf for her 16-year-old dad, Pembe. The last rhino calf born at Knowsley Safari was Bindi in February 2024, following Amara in October 2022. With three Southern White Rhino calves in five years, taking the crash to ten, Knowsley Safari continues to play an important role in the conservation of Southern White Rhino.

The species originates from South Africa and remains under threat in the wild, due to poaching. Every birth is a vital contribution to the global effort to protect these incredible animals.

Kamari isn’t visible on the Safari Drive just yet, due to the wet and cold weather, however visitors may catch a glimpse of her and Bayami in their outdoor yards on dry milder days. For now, Kamari’s enjoying life behind the scenes, greeting her keepers, mock charging, and showing off her bold personality.

Lindsay Banks, ungulates team manager at Knowsley Safari, says:

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Kamari to our crash. She’s already showing a confident and playful personality, which is fantastic to see at such an early stage. Every rhino birth is a huge achievement for conservation, and we’re proud to be contributing to the survival of this incredible species.”

Knowsley Safari’s commitment to rhino conservation extends beyond its own crash. The Safari actively supports Helping Rhinos, a charity dedicated to protecting rhinos and their habitats in the wild. Through this partnership, the Safari contributes to vital projects that safeguard the future of rhino populations globally, tackling threats such as poaching and habitat loss.

Knowsley Safari’s rhino crash benefits from two expansive paddocks spanning 60-acres, enhancing social dynamics and supporting breeding success, making Knowsley a key contributor to rhino conservation.

Find out more on the Knowsley Safari website.

Find out what else you can do across Liverpool this week here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

This Blue Monday (19th January) the Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is giving away £1,000 worth of vouchers to help banish the January Blues.

Visitors can come to the dock and search for £1,000-worth of vouchers, redeemable across a selection of popular dockside venues.

With 10 x £100 vouchers available, the giveaway offers visitors the chance to treat themselves, whether that’s enjoying a meal, experiencing an immersive attraction or indulging in a spot of shopping.

From 10am, visitors can search for the blue envelopes hidden across the inner quay, with each one containing a voucher. For clues on where to find the vouchers, follow the dock’s social channels (@thealbertdock), where hints will be shared.

Sean Morrison, Estate Manager at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, says:

“Blue Monday is often considered one of the most challenging days of the year, so we wanted to create something fun and uplifting that gives people a reason to get out and enjoy the dock. With such a fantastic mix of restaurants, attractions and shops, this giveaway is our way of spreading a little joy and helping visitors make the most of everything on offer.”

The vouchers are valid at a range of popular venues, including Maray, Lost Soles, Miller and Carter, House of Spells, The Botanist, Rudy’s Pizza, The Beatles Story, Escape Hunt, Gusto, What’s Cooking and The Botanist. 

With January deals already on offer at several of these venues, the vouchers will go even further, making it easy to enjoy a day out on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.

Find out more on the Royal Albert Dock website.

Find some of the great January deals across Liverpool here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

FACT Liverpool has revealed its full exhibitions programme for 2026, featuring major new commissions, immersive installations and participatory projects that explore the intersection of art, technology and society.

The year-long programme will see FACT present newly commissioned works alongside re-staged pieces by emerging and internationally recognised artists, using tools such as playable game worlds and artificial intelligence to explore ideas around myth-making, ancestry, more-than-human perspectives, resistance and collective action.

Highlights of the 2026 programme include new commissions by Rachel Maclean, ONLY SLIME, Sahjan Kooner, Rae-Yen Song 宋瑞渊 and Seema Mattu, alongside a major group exhibition curated by FACT’s 2025 Curator-in-Residence, Milia Xin Bi.

Opening the year is Can Meeple Escape the Neurophoria? (6 February – 26 April 2026), a playful yet thought-provoking group exhibition inspired by tabletop gaming and world-building. Featuring work by Vytas Jankauskas, Joseph Wilk and Jan Zuiderveld, the exhibition examines how humans interact with intelligent technologies, including AI, while touching on surveillance, climate anxiety and digital systems.

From March to August, FACT will host two major concurrent exhibitions. Celebrated Scottish artist Rachel Maclean premieres They’ve Got Your Eyes, a new theatrical installation featuring a world-first film created using AI models trained on her own image and archive. The exhibition explores authorship, identity and power in the age of artificial intelligence through Maclean’s distinctive blend of satire, fantasy and unease.

Alongside this, artist duo ONLY SLIME will present an expanded version of their interactive game-opera AFTERLIFE, inviting visitors to step into fantasy computer-game worlds using motion capture and playful mini-games, blurring the boundaries between creator, player and avatar.

In May, artist and worldbuilder Sahjan Kooner will unveil a new collaborative project created with young people from youth clubs in Liverpool and Wigan. The exhibition invites participants to imagine museums of the future, rethinking collections as spaces shaped by identity, heritage and imagination.

The autumn season sees two ambitious new commissions opening in September. Rae-Yen Song 宋瑞渊 will transform FACT’s gallery into a subaquatic world inspired by diasporic mythologies and family lore, featuring newly commissioned sculptures, textiles, sound and moving image works. At the same time, Seema Mattu will present Saheli, a participatory project bringing together South Asian, queer, female and non-binary musicians to form a sonic collective addressing misogyny, casteism and queer erasure through music, film and installation.

FACT will also continue to present exhibitions into early 2026, including solo shows by Bassam Issa Al-Sabah and Nina Davies, which explore how digital representations can distort and replace lived experience.

Nicola Triscott, Director and CEO at FACT, said the programme continues the organisation’s long-standing commitment to ambitious, forward-thinking work at the intersection of art and technology.

She said: “In 2026, FACT continues exploring where art, technology and society intersect. Our year-round programme includes major exhibitions examining the creative possibilities and cultural implications of AI, alongside participatory projects with young people and collaborations with leading national and international institutions.”

Maitreyi Maheshwari, Head of Programme at FACT, added: “Across 2026, our exhibitions explore our search for meaning in a moment shaped by political uncertainty and technological anxiety. These works invite audiences to consider how the mythological, scientific and speculative coexist, and how we might collectively imagine different futures.”

Further details on exhibitions, opening dates and events will be announced by FACT Liverpool throughout the year.

Check out National Museums Liverpool as they unearth Liverpool’s dockland history.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Salt and Tar is on the move for 2026, as organisers prepare to host the Music Weekender at a new location in Bootle’s Lock and Quay.

The move comes as part of ongoing regeneration works at Bootle Strand, ensuring the festival continues to thrive while improvements are made to the town centre.

Materials from the original site are being carefully preserved for future use and shared with local community projects. Despite the relocation, the festival will maintain its usual size and capacity, promising the same immersive live music experience for visitors.

Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Skills and Employment, Cllr Paulette Lappin, said: “Salt and Tar has quickly become a highlight in Bootle’s calendar.

“While regeneration works are underway, we’re making sure the Music Weekender continues without compromise. Moving to Lock and Quay is an exciting opportunity to keep the event vibrant and accessible while delivering improvements that will benefit the whole community.

“This year’s lineup is already shaping up to be incredible, with The Waterboys, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, and The Saw Doctors confirmed, and a final headliner will be announced soon.”

Organisers plan to return Salt and Tar to its original site once the Bootle Strand regeneration is complete in 2027, promising an even bigger celebration for the town.

For more information on the ongoing regeneration of Bootle you should visit the council website.

We ask: Who is mysterious Scouse rapper EsDeeKid? – Check it out.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Meet EsDeeKid, the masked scouser taking Liverpool rap global.

Liverpool rap has changed. The days of Riuven rhyming tongue-in-cheek bars about Chav Scum Kiddas and Juice FM spinning the same 20 songs on repeat are over.

These days, the Scouse scene has gone global. Since Aystar set the standard in the early 2010s with his chilling, laidback lyricism about life on the city streets, we’ve seen a new wave of talented young artists making a splash far beyond postcodes with purple bins.

​From HAZEY’s TikTok-driven sensation ‘Packs and Potions’ to Young LS’s feral, ferocious energy attracting millions of online views and Mazza L20 spitting some of the sickest bars Charlie Sloth’s Fire in The Booth has ever heard, Scouse ‘trap’ tunes are gaining serious attention.

But one Liverpool rapper has risen above the pack. His name is EsDeeKid. And, despite never revealing his face, name, or age publicly, the balaclava-clad wordsmith has gone from underground cult icon to global name in less than a year.

​As well as his 2025 debut album, Rebel, reaching number 8 in the UK album charts and number 29 on the US Billboard 200, EsDeeKid has also gained celebrity fans, including actor Timothee Chalamet. The Marty Supreme star even recorded a guest verse for the hit single 4 Raws, appearing alongside EsDeeKid in a music video. 

What makes EsDeeKid so special?

What sets Scouse rap apart from the rest of the UK rap scene isn’t the beats, it’s the voice. Unlike many rap artists from other cities who use London-centric vocabulary and phrasing, Liverpool rappers lean unapologetically into their USP – the unmistakable Scouse accent.

Yet, while his city-born contemporaries expertly spit those tell-tale hard-hitting T sounds and thick Ks that kick like a kangaroo from Kirkby, EsDeeKid has arguably used the unique rhythm and slang of Liverpool to the most devastating effect.

You can’t imagine anyone else snarling bars as he does on 4 Raws:

“Plod are on chase, gotta make the excursion, now I’m managing this s**t like I’m Jurgen.”

It’s in these stories of street paranoia, spending dough, and getting girls that EsDeeKid really shines, bringing to life the reality of Liverpool’s underground with cinematic anger and intensity.

Yes, he has menace and machismo aplenty, but EsDeeKid also brings Scouse humour to his verses, with acerbic remarks and imaginative inflections.

“He the biggest green man since Incredible Hulk,” he says of a weed dealer on Phantom, featuring long-term collaborator Rico Ace.

These clever turns of phrase put a playful spin on EsDee’s otherwise aggressive style that sees him bark through tracks in a matter of moments. Most recordings on Rebel barely break the two-minute mark – a big reason he dominates short-form video platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

But for all his punchiness, wit, and swagger, there’s no escaping the fact that mystery is one of the most appealing things about EsDeeKid. After all, never showing his face led to fevered speculation that the rapper was Timothee Chalamet in disguise (they have similar eyes, apparently). The online rumour mill caught Chalamet’s attention and, never one to miss a publicity opportunity, the actor performed as ‘Little Timmy Tim’ alongside the rapper in a reworked video for 4 Raws in December 2025. The release finally put the myth to bed, and even saw Chalamet give a cheeky nod to the Scouse accent with the line:

“I got a can of Coke and that cheque in.”

​The mystery around the Liverpool lingo has even led to the creation of online ‘EsDeeKid’ translators – YouTube videos dedicated to explaining what on earth he’s on about.

Wha’ lad, indeed.

What’s next for EsDeeKid?

Described by Dazed as “the fastest-growing artist in the world right now”, the masked emcee is expected to drag street-level Scouse Rap into the mainstream this year.

EsDeeKid’s famously energetic live shows go on tour at the end of January, taking the Liverpool rapper to Canada, America, and Australia.

2026 is when the rest of the world finally catches up to what we’ve known for years – nothing compares to the Liverpool lilt. 

Listen to EsDeeKid on Spotify here.

Get more Liverpool music news here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Sefton Council has welcomed the UK Government’s new restrictions on junk food advertising, describing them as a powerful boost to its own local health policies.

The new measures ban advertising for food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar before 9pm on TV and at all times online. The Government says the changes could remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, help prevent around 20,000 cases of childhood obesity and deliver up to £2 billion in long-term health benefits.

Sefton Council says the national approach closely aligns with its Healthy Advertising Policy, which was adopted in 2024 and restricts the promotion of unhealthy food and drink on council-owned advertising sites.

Dr Rory McGill, Interim Director of Public Health for Sefton, said the announcement reinforces the work already underway locally.

He said: “We are absolutely aligned with the Government’s approach. These new national restrictions support and strengthen the work we have already begun here in Sefton. When local and national action move in the same direction, the impact on children’s health is multiplied.”

Sefton’s Healthy Advertising Policy aims to reduce exposure to marketing that encourages unhealthy choices, particularly among children, while promoting healthier food and drink options across the borough.

The Government’s decision comes amid ongoing concerns about children’s health nationally. More than one in five children in England are overweight or obese when starting primary school, rising to over a third by the time they leave. Tooth decay also remains the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children.

Dr McGill said the new rules directly support evidence-led public health work already taking place in Sefton.

He said: “The Government’s decision confirms what public health professionals have been saying for years — unhealthy food advertising has a powerful influence on children’s choices and long-term health,” he said. “The alignment between national and local action helps create a more consistent and supportive environment for families across Sefton.”

The council says the combined effect of national and local measures will help reduce health inequalities, improve long-term wellbeing and support healthier neighbourhoods.

Dr McGill added that the transition should be straightforward for advertisers.

“Industry is familiar with the tools and criteria. Companies have used the Nutrient Profiling Model for almost 20 years to determine whether products are suitable for advertising to children, so compliance at both national and local level should be achievable.

“What the Government and Sefton are asking for is responsible advertising that supports healthy lives, and that is entirely achievable.”

More information about Sefton Council’s Healthy Advertising Policy is available via the council’s website.

Discover your wellness journey with tips on how to start your Pilates journey this January.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

Dishoom is set to make its Liverpool debut this spring with the opening of Permit Room Liverpool, an all-day bar-café and social space landing in the city centre in early March.

Opening at Exchange Court on Dale Street, inside the former Royal Bank of Scotland building, Permit Room Liverpool brings Dishoom’s more playful, bar-led concept to the city for the first time. Inspired by the lively permit rooms of Bombay, the venue is designed as a relaxed, day-to-night destination for food, drinks, music and socialising.

Guests can expect a buzzing atmosphere, signature Permit Room cocktails and an all-day food menu that mixes drinking snacks, comforting curries and much-loved Dishoom favourites. Mornings are covered too, with Breakfast Naan Rolls and bottomless House Chai for those easing into the day.

Brian Trolip, CEO of Dishoom, said the team has long wanted to bring the brand to Liverpool. He said Permit Room felt like the perfect fit, offering a place rooted in the spirit of Bombay’s drinking culture, where cocktails, comfort food and connection come together from morning to night.

To mark the opening, Permit Room Liverpool will run a soft launch in late February, offering 50 per cent off food ahead of the official opening in early March. Bookings for the soft launch and beyond will open in early February, with walk-ins also welcome throughout the day.

The food menu focuses on generous bar snacks and shareable plates alongside richer curries. Highlights include Crispy Spinach Chaat layered with yoghurt and chutneys, the Chef’s Lamb Curry, coconut-rich Prawn Moilee and a half or whole Chicken Tandoori grilled to perfection. Dishoom classics such as Black Daal and Mattar Paneer also feature.

Breakfast options include hearty fry-ups, naan rolls filled with spiced eggs, bacon or sausage, and sweet-and-savoury French Toast with cinnamon brioche, cheese and hot honey.

Drinks are a major part of the Permit Room experience, with a cocktail list that includes short and boozy serves, playful twists on classics and lighter highballs. Expect drinks like the Blushing Dawn Paloma with chilli-infused tequila and mezcal, or the Thums Up Sazerac, made with a splash of India’s iconic soda. There’s also a strong alcohol-free offering, alongside beer towers for groups, including three-litre Kingfisher serves brought straight to the table.

Inside, the space blends retro-industrial design with warmth and character. Exposed concrete and wood panelling sit alongside a mix of artwork from Liverpool-based artists, contemporary creatives from Bombay and emerging South Asian talent. The walls are filled with vinyl covers, gig posters and personal photographs, giving the venue a lived-in, nostalgic feel.

Music plays a big role too, with local DJs set to feature regularly and playlists spanning funk, punk, hip-hop, disco, soul and Bollywood classics.

Sign up here to be the first to hear more.

Check out more new restaurants and bars we can’t wait to welcome and enjoy in 2026 here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.

DeLuca’s is set to open in Liverpool this February, bringing a bold new nightlife destination to the heart of Concert Square.

Spanning three floors, the Vegas-inspired venue is designed as a full day-to-night experience, blending live sport, games, music and late-night energy under one roof. From early kick-offs to last orders, DeLuca’s aims to turn every visit into a celebration.

Drinks take centre stage throughout the venue, with a menu built around big flavours, oversized serves and theatrical presentation. From generous cocktails to playful, shareable serves delivered with a sense of occasion, the focus is firmly on drinks that make an impact.

At the heart of DeLuca’s is The Game Lounge, a high-energy space created for live sport, shared moments and big reactions. Major fixtures are turned into full-scale events, with lighting, sound and surprise elements designed to elevate match days into nights out.

Upstairs, The Club Room brings together games and party vibes, with American pool, shuffleboard and tech darts alongside DJs and flowing cocktails. The space opens out onto The Deck, an elevated terrace overlooking Concert Square, offering a prime spot for group bookings, celebrations and social sessions in the middle of Liverpool’s nightlife district.

Below it all sits One Below at DeLuca’s, a neon-lit late-night club inspired by the after-dark glamour of Las Vegas. This is where the energy peaks as the lights drop, the music ramps up and the night shifts firmly into party mode.

Designed for birthdays, big wins and nights that run later than planned, DeLuca’s opens this February as a new addition to Liverpool’s nightlife scene.

Oliver Clarke, Managing Director of DeLuca’s Bars, said: “DeLuca’s is about committing fully to the moment. It’s big, confident and unapologetic. By bringing sport, play and late-night spectacle together, every visit is designed to feel like an occasion.”

For more information follow them on Instagram or visit their website.

Check out more new restaurants and bars we can’t wait to welcome and enjoy in 2026.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.