EDITOR’S PICKS: 10 ways to start your 2018 in Liverpool with a smile this weekend

Let’s be honest the first week after the Christmas hols always feels a bit rubbish, we are all secretly struggling to stick to the new year’s resolutions, we are all feeling a bit bloated and a bit skint, and we are all sick of hearing ‘did you have a good one?’.

But fear not, there is lots going on to keep the January blues at bay, and in my opinion what better time of year to get out and enjoy our city. It’s quieter and there are some superb deals on.

It’s Jay here (10 pound heavier than we last spoke) with some ideas on what you can do during this first weekend of January, whether you are sticking to your diet or not, having a dry one, looking to chill or looking to party.

Let’s start with the healthy stuff!

To Get Focused…

Love Thy Neighbour, Bold Street

Love Thy Neighbour has become famous for providing healthy, hearty food and happy vibes, and this Saturday they are helping you start your new year even healthier and even happier as their downstairs basement is transformed into a relaxing retreat for the day, complete with expert tips on yoga, nutrition, mindfulness and movement. The day is brought to you by Move Body Bloom and AG Nutrition and promises to banish all new year blues & bulge.

More info here.

For Dry Jan…

The Brink, Parr Street

I did contemplate doing it for about half an hour on New Year’s Day, but then realised January is hard enough anyway, I am going for a DRY-ER Jan but that’s about it. But if you are off the booze, good on you! Perfect place to start would be The Brink on Parr Street, Liverpool’s first alcohol free bar & restaurant. Great food including their incredible Veggie Lasagne or Pan Fried Spicy Chicken Burger, washed down with the perfect menu of coffees, mock-tails and other alcohol free drinks. Why not try the Nojito, Brink Fizz or our fav the Chocolate Cooler?

For 12 more (alcohol free) places to try in and around Liverpool head this way.

To Stick To The Diet…

4 of the best healthy gaffs in the city

My Fit Box at Fit Food Shack

It’s true you can still eat healthily, sticking to your NY diet if you eat out, whether it’s on the go, or sitting in. Lots of choice in Liverpool including Fit Food Shack on Old Hall Street where you can create your own Fit Box or Fit Wok, try the range  of healthy Fit Wraps, and start your day the right way with super healthy breakfast menu and protein shakes. I went for the regular Fit Box where you get two choices of protein, one base and three veg. Just look at that above, delicious!

Or what about 109 Allerton Road, where you can dine in style with the delicious menu that includes pancakes served with a choice of fresh fruit, bacon, egg or peanut butter, Superfood Bowls and steaks and burgers, all with a healthy twist.

HOST

And then there’s my favourite, Asian cuisine, which again can be extremely healthy if you look through the menu hard enough. Try Host on Hope Street where their range of tapas include Baked Aubergine, Duck & Watermelon Salad or Edemame Beans.

Etsu

Then there’s Etsu in Beetham Plaza which let’s you indulge in authentic Japanese cuisine served up by two of the finest Japanese chefs in the North West, the sushi is all freshly made to order and there is tonnes of it to choose from.

To Keep You Out Of Trouble…

Get walking!

Bit of a cliché, but what about a winter walk to keep you at the pub this weekend? We are spoiled for choice on Merseyside, with beautiful locations to stroll through including Crosby Beach, Woolton Woods or our stunning Sefton Park. Ever wondered around the Wirral Way to West Kirkby, start along the footpath and up to the breathtaking cliff edge and down into West Kirkby Village where you’ll find the likes of Aubergine, Ruben’s & Sweet Pea Coffee Shops & Cafe’s all waiting to greet you, then further along to West Kirkby Marina.

Also perfect for a Sunday morning, without a hangover, is our waterfront. Park up next to Quayside Bar & Grill and walk along the front, exploring the Albert Dock whilst you are there, into the Pier Head and up into town for a coffee to catch (and laugh at), those doing the walk of shame, feeling all smug for once that it’s not you!

OK, we’ve toyed with the healthy ones, but if dry Jan, being good and trying to save money aren’t for you then take a look at the following…

For a feast…

Allerton Hall Farm ‘Pub in the Park’

When was the last time you had a carvery? And were the roasties dry? They normally are to be fair, but not at Allerton Hall Farm. Just when I thought I’d had enough of roast dinner’s after Christmas I found the original Pub in the Park on Springwood Avenue, Woolton. You sometimes just can’t beat a nice bit of pub food and this place is perfect for just a bevie, lunch, or for a full on feast. The brand new carvery is probably the best I’ve ever had, and of course I went for the Ultimate Carvery option which comes with Giant Yorkshire Pud and pigs in blankets.  Pictured above. Perfect place for all the family and prices aren’t too steep either. Full menu here.

 For Wet Jan… 

McGuffies, Castle Street

This is the perfect place to unwind after work or of a weekend, the cosy and intimate ‘oldie-worldie’ feel of McGuffies makes it ideal for these cold winter nights. A huge selection of hand crafted cocktails which include the Lost In New York (Maker’s Mark bourbon, Cherry Heering liqueur, apricot liqueur and Angostura bitters), or the Don Corleole (Jack Daniels, Disaronno Amaretto and a scoop of marmalade) are perfect to wash away the post-Crimbo blues. Drinks offers between 4-7pm weekdays, and open late every night of the week too.

To See…

Baskerville, The Playhouse

Lots of talk about one show that is running at The Playhouse at the moment. If you like your theatre, and you love a good mystery with a slice of comedy thrown in, then head to The Playhouse as Baskerville A Sherlock Holmes Mystery finishes its run next Saturday 13th January. This classic tale transports the audience to deepest Devon, on a dark night to solve a gigantic, hairy murder mystery. Great reviews in so far and we gave it 5/5. Go see, tickets available here.

For A Boss Deal…

Food, drink and more

Trattoria 51

Lots of amazing January deals on in the city at the moment including 50% off your food bill at Neighbourhood, Gusto and Verdant in Allerton. Also Crazy Pedro’s are offering Happy Hour Pizza for the entire month, and you can get discounted rates at loads of our hotels including Titanic Hotel Liverpool. Carlucio’s at the Met Quarter are offering amazing mains for just £1 when you by another main for full price, and Trattoria 51 on Old Hall Street have two courses for just £9.95 and three courses are priced at £ 12.95.

For 15 more Liverpool restaurants offering mega January deals head this way.

To Party…

Bars open for business

Lots of places taking a little well earned break this weekend, with most of the clubs closed, but many bars still open for a bevie and a boogie. Red Door Liverpool is taking table bookings and serving up favourite’s like the Maya Blossom. Sugar Hut is open as usual for a three floor party, live DJ’s and saxophones through the night on Saturday. As well as that all your favourite’s like Alma De Cuba, Hannah’s Bar and Heebie Jeebies all open for business.

To Experience…

Fast and the Furious LIVE, Echo Arena

Fast and the Furious LIVE, Echo Arena

Happy New Year Liverpool, it’s going to be a good one!

Jay x