Café Tabac begins a new chapter as Ma Pub Group takes over this December

One of Liverpool’s most recognisable and best-loved cafés is set for a new era as Café Tabac prepares to join the Ma Pub Group family on Wednesday 3 December.

The Bold Street institution, which has been part of the city’s cultural heartbeat for more than fifty years, will continue to trade with the same name, character and community spirit that made it an icon.

Opened in the seventies by Rita Lawrence, Café Tabac quickly became a haven for Liverpool’s creative crowd. Through the eighties it was a gathering place for artists, musicians and performers, with the likes of Holly Johnson, Pete Burns, Margi Clarke, Ian McCulloch, Jayne Casey and Gerry Potter all part of its story. Its red façade, smoky charm and bohemian feel made it a refuge for generations who shaped the city’s alternative scene.

Ma Pub Group, the team behind Ma Boyle’s Alehouse and Eatery, Tempest on Tithebarn, Nova Scotia and Newington Temple, will now guide Tabac into its next era. All staff will remain in place, and the venue will continue to offer the food, cocktails and atmosphere regulars know and love.

The transition marks an emotional moment for Baa Bar Limited CEO Elaine Clarke, whose family roots run deep within the venue. Café Tabac was opened by her aunt, and Elaine began her own hospitality career there at just 14. After more than three decades linked to the café and more than 20 years as its owner, the handover comes with both pride and sadness.

Elaine said the venue has always felt like part of her family and that keeping its independent, creative identity alive has guided every decision she has made. She described the handover to Ma Pub Group director Iain Hoskins as a full-circle moment, as Iain once began his own career working with her in the nineties.

Iain said taking on Café Tabac is an honour, calling it one of the last living reminders of a Liverpool that has inspired generations. He added that the team’s priority is to protect everything that makes Tabac special and ensure it remains the warm, welcoming cornerstone of Bold Street it has always been.

Known for its breakfasts, hearty plates, cocktails and coffee, the venue will continue to be a go-to spot for meet-ups from morning right through to late night. With the festive season approaching, the transition comes at a time when the café is at its most atmospheric.

Elaine thanked the teams and customers who have kept Café Tabac thriving across five decades, saying their loyalty and love are the reason it became such an important part of Liverpool’s story.

Ma Pub Group officially takes over Café Tabac on Wednesday 3 December.

Follow Café Tabac on Instagram.

Check out this new restaurant to open on Bold Street bringing a mix of Middle Eastern & Mediterranean flavours.

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