A Johnny Cash-inspired 'dive bar' is coming to Seel Street

The team behind one of the UK’s most unique original bars, based in Leeds, and named after one of musician Johnny Cash’s signature songs, have chosen Liverpool as the location for its second Mean-Eyed Cat Bar, which will be based in the city centre’s bustling Seel Street area.

In a city known all over the world for its musical and cultural heritage, Mean Eyed Cat will provide something new to Liverpool’s nighttime scene.

The original Mean-Eyed Cat Bar, based in Merrion Street in Leeds, has already enjoyed nearly two decades of success as a firmly-established independent favourite as both a bar and music location. Led by Phil Harrison and his family, who are originally from St. Helens and have close links with the city of Liverpool, the team have brought all of the outstanding features from the Leeds venue and delivered them to Seel Street – with a twist!

Without any sense of pretence, the Mean-Eyed Cat Bar will be the perfect place for midweek drinks, raucous weekends and generally having a blast. Definitely a bar which is for music lovers, it will combine Southern charm with a warm Liverpool welcome. With an awesome drinks and cocktails menu, including the bar’s superstar Johnny’s Marg cocktail, the deep dive ‘come in and sin’ vibe is all about attracting a vibrant and diverse crowd.

The interior is relaxed and intentionally worn, using pre-loved wood and metal and featuring original artwork from local artists, which match the bar’s sense of independence and creativity. With a featured capacity of up to 300, the venue has an intimate after-party feel, and of course, the Johnny Cash theme is distinct throughout – his irreverent charm provides the perfect backdrop.

Spokesperson for Mean-Eyed Cat Bar Phil Harrison explains:

“After the success we have enjoyed in Leeds, Liverpool was our next desired location. Personally, I have a huge love for the city, and the theme behind our whole ethos sits perfectly with Liverpool’s musical history.

We have already started assembling a great team – the city is certainly not short of fun-loving, hard-working people, and I also want to underline that we are an all-encompassing venue – everybody is welcome, as long as they love music and a good time.

The Mean-Eyed Cat Bar also offers some great value for our guests, including free homemade pizza with every drink before 9 pm, which is made on the premises, and also our dice game, which gives you the chance to win a free round of drinks.

We are really proud with how our Liverpool bar is shaping up – the original artwork in place is outstanding. Once we are open we also look forward to hosting private parties, with our den available for private hire.

Liverpool has such a unique nighttime scene which welcomes people from the city region, and then from all over the UK, as well as international guests who come here to enjoy the city’s vast cultural and leisure hotspots. We also know that 2023 is going to be a very special year, with Liverpool hosting Eurovision – we certainly envisage music fans seeking out the Mean-Eyed Cat Bar. We also hope our non-conformist attitude will sit really well in the city, with its own tight-knit and welcoming vibe.

Mean-Eyed Cat will also see over 40 new jobs created in the city ranging from part-time to management positions, which we are so proud of.

We really look forward to our opening in the Ropewalks area of the city on Friday 24th February 2023, when I am sure our first guests will really take the Mean-Eyed Cat Bar to their musical hearts.”

With such a unique take on a good time destination, the Mean-Eyed Cat Bar will bring new meaning to having a really rock ‘n’ roll night out, all in the company of the legendary Johnny Cash.

Opening times will be Monday to Friday 5pm – 4am and Saturday & Sunday 1pm – 4am.