EDITOR’S PICKS: How to have a boss Bank Holiday Weekend in Liverpool

By Jay Hynd

It’s the last bank holiday until Christmas so let’s make sure we spend it wisely.

One thing we can’t do this year is moan if the weather doesn’t go our way, we’ve had about ten summers in one and are all bronzied up to the max. Well, I look like a cherry tomato but I’m ginger so it doesn’t count. It’s been one hell of a summer so, rain or shine, let’s make this bank holiday one of the best yet.

For the ravers…

Creamfields 2018, Daresbury

I’ve been a Creamfields regular since 1999 and seeing how the event has grown into the biggest dance festival on the planet has been amazing. Last year, after a couple of years off, I was astounded at not just the scale of it but also the standard. It really does lead the way in terms of its production values, innovation and quality – whether that’s by rebuilding the original Cream nightclub, creating aircraft hangar sized stadiums on site, or developing new woodland chill out areas like this. This year is set to be bigger than ever as the festival turns 21.

Axwell & Ingrosso

As for the the lineup well, put it this way,  if you are one of the best DJ’s on the planet, you are playing Creamfields. Everyone from Axwell / Ingrosso, Tiesto, Martin Garrix, Liverpool’s own Camelphat, Rudimental and Carl Cox are all taking to the decks this year.

There are lots of ways to get there too. You can jump the train to Warrington, catch a Creamfields shuttle bus, or roundup your mates and jump a Delta. Fun starts Thursday 12pm and the party continues into the early hours of Monday morning.

Get your rave face on, it’s going to be one of the biggest and best yet.

Book your tickets and get the full lineup here.

For a Free Folk Festival…

Folk on the Dock, Royal Albert Dock

Now in its third year, Folk on the Dock brings some of the biggest names from the world of folk and shanty music to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock for a full weekend of live music on the waterfront and free family fun. This year one of my favourite local artists, Robert Vincent will be performing (best voice in the city!) alongside Chris Difford, the co-founder of Squeeze, New Zealand based band Tiny Ruins and many more. Plenty of street food, outside bars, lost for the kids and performances taking place on boats and stages around the Dock.

So book yourself into Gusto, grab a rum cocktail at Smugglers Cove, satisfy the sweet tooth at Puffle Waffle and enjoy some amazing live music, dockside.

The full line-up can be found at folkonthedock.com.

For a Liverpool celebration…

Jacaranda 60th Birthday

It’s the club that launched the Fab Four. The Beatles played some of their earliest gigs at The Jacaranda in 1960 and from there took off to superstardom. The original owner of the club, Alan Williams, was the band’s first ever manager and is known as ‘the man who sold The Beatles’. Since then it has welcomed musicians from all over the world and been a cultural hub for many generations in our city. All of our parents have stories of the Jac, right?

The original club remains to this day one of the city’s favourites, with its incredible vinyl booths, basement boogies and of course that big shiny jukebox. Recently Phase One opened on Seel Street further expanding The Jacaranda’s shine with a new record store and 400 capacity gig venue.

This weekend you are invited to join in the 60th birthday celebrations. Across both venues you’ll hear some incredible live music and DJ’s, be the first to see new exhibitions, experience Q&A’s and lots more.

Full listings for this weekend and more info here.

For a Baltic Market Bank Hol…

Baltic Market, Cains Brewery Village

One year on and the fun continues with the parties getting bigger and better at Baltic Market. This weekend they are bringing a circus-themed shindig to Cains Brewery Village with live music and DJ’s all weekend. There’ll also be indoor and outdoor markets and even a cheesy 80’s disco on Saturday. Of course it’s not just about the party atmosphere, the food on offer is pretty special too with the likes of Death Row Diner, Greekosophy, Hafla Hafla and Hot Box Donuts all serving up the Bank Holiday good stuff!

More info on what’s on their Facebook page here.

For the hip hop lovers…

Incredible 11, ON AIR Liverpool, Friday

From Biggie to Busta, Lil Jon to Lil Kim and everything in between, if classic hip hop is your thing then don’t miss what ON AIR have up their blinged-up sleeves this Friday. The Incredible 11 will bring all of your favourite hip hop anthems to life, live on stage with an incredible 11 piece instrumental hip hop band which includes some of Liverpool’s finest musicians including string quartets, incredible vocalist, scratch master DJ’s and more.

Book your tickets now via the ON AIR website here.

For Bank Holiday Blues…

Lock & Key Bar & Kitchen, Duke Street

Fancy a full weekend of live Blues music in the stunning surroundings of one of Liverpool’s classiest and most intimate bars? This weekend Lock & Key will become the bluesy backdrop to some incredible live blues music with the likes of Mike Blue, Tom Croft & Louisiana all taking to the mic. The team bring you a menu straight from the Deep South with fried chicken, barbecue ribs and more. Plus Bourbon brand Four Roses will be serving up delicious cocktails and on Sunday there’ll even be a bourbon masterclass with Four Roses representative Sam Cunliffe.

For more info head to the website here.

For an adventure on the dock…

Adventure Dock, Dukes Dock

What a summer @adventuredock are having. Open 7 days a week 10-6pm up until October and news on some really cool days for those with additional needs coming soon Check it out @theAlbertDock now! pic.twitter.com/NMdrXqMeq8

— The Guide Liverpool (@TheGuideLpool) August 21, 2018

Not experienced Liverpool’s first inflatable assault course on water yet? Adventure Dock has seen thousands of people take to the water for its first summer on our docks and the fun continues, 7 days a week right the way through until October. This week I was with the team as they unveiled plans to launch some new days specifically for those with additional needs like autism and ADHD. The 92 metro long course has really taken the city and its visitors by storm and the set up down there is amazing.

Book your place now before it’s too late, info here.

For breakfast…

Baby E Coffee & Deli, Dale Street

Come inside our new favourite coffee shop & deli. ☕️ Perfect for work meetings, after work drinks or just a nice brekky with the other half Baby E Coffee & Deli on Dale Street. pic.twitter.com/QRjTCsTpMX

— The Guide Liverpool (@TheGuideLpool) June 28, 2018

It only opened this summer and already Baby E feels like it’s been part of Liverpool’s food and drink scene forever. The basement to The Temple building has been transformed and if you haven’t been yet, you are going to love it! They serve up delicious breakfast & brunch items, 7 days a week. The bagels are stacked higher than an elephant on stilts and the pancakes could be the best I’ve ever had. The brunch is served all day and bagels are made to order. This Friday they host their regular Jazz Special with live music from 6.30pm and drinks offers starting straight form work at 5 bells. Your Instagram and your taste buds will never be the same again.

Check out the full menu and more here.

For Asian Delights…

Tiger Rock, Smithdown Road & North John Street

Tiger Rock serves up some of the best Asian cuisine in the city. The dishes are billed as ‘small plates’ but trust me these portions really are generous and perfect anytime of the day. There are two venues now, one on Smithdown and the other in the city centre on North John Street. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a bit of thing for Shu Mais and Tiger Rock’s are some of the best I’ve ever tasted. There are over 20 small plates to choose from alongside a great mix of small bowls, side dishes and cocktails.

Check out the full menu and get booking your bank holiday lunch in via the website here.

For a swanky meal…

Marco Pierre White’s Wheelers of James Street, Pullman Hotel

We have two Marco Pierre White restaurants in the city now, the first is the Steakhouse at Hotel Indigo and the second serves up seem seriously scrumptious seafood and steaks on the ground floor of the Pullman Hotel, just next to the Exhibition Centre at the Echo Arena. The restaurant offers seasonal delights such as white asparagus with black truffle or chilled Andalusian tomato soup with fresh basil, and a variety of delicious small plates – all complemented by sophisticated cocktails and an excellent wine list.

Book your romantic meal or family outing now via the website here.

For something special…

Run for Rhys, Croxteth Park, Sunday

I can’t believe it’s been ten years since little Rhys Jones was so tragically killed in our city. I was on air producing Pete Price when the news came in and, with Merseyside Police, we launched an instant appeal on the show. The phone calls we got from people who had witnessed the horrific incident will never ever leave my mind, and Rhys’s parents Melanie & Steve are never far from it.

Last year a beautiful event was launched to remember Rhys and also to help kids in the area he was killed through The Rhys Jones Community Centre. One thing this city is incredible at doing is creating good out of bad, positives out of negatives and love out of tragedy. Run for Rhys takes place again this Sunday at Croxteth Park from 11am and it has a real family focus. Last year, with your help they raised £4k. This year lets get that number even higher.

Register to run and get more info here.

For all the family…

The Great Brick Adventure, Exhibition Centre

If you love LEGO or know a kid that does then head to our Exhibition Centre this weekend, Saturday-Monday as The Great Brick Adventure brings us 8 zones filled with giant figures, animals, structures, giant dragons, Warriorbots, super ships and so much more. You also get to see the brand new Big LEGO® Brick Hospital, a replica of the new Clatterbridge Cancer Centre in Liverpool which comprises of our half a million bricks. A real family weekend of LEGO brick fun.

Book your advances tickets now or you can pay on the door too. Visit the website here.

For the Fab Four…

International Beatle Week

In case you haven’t noticed this week isn’t any normal week, it’s International Beatle Week. To be fair every week is Beatles Week in Liverpool but over the next few days you can see Beatles tributes from all over the globe, incredible musicians and live bands taking to stages across the city celebrating all that is fab about the Fab Four. Venues include The Cavern, The Philharmonic Hall, Adelphi Hotel and The Olympia. There are McCartney & Lennon Songbooks to see, a Mathew Street Festival revival at Grand Central Hall, guest speakers and even Ringo Bingo.

Full lineup and schedule is here.

There you have it; just 12 of thousands of things you can see and do in our city this Bank Holiday Weekend. I hope to have given you even one suggestion you’ll take up. Get out, explore and enjoy our city, you’ve got an extra lie in to use up!

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