The Arriva Student Bible 2019: Your Guide to Uni Life in Liverpool

Oh hey students, welcome to our amazing city. We’ve teamed up with Arriva North West to give you the heads up and some uni life hacks in one huge Student Bible.

The Freshers are here, the second years partied all summer and the third and fourth years are now fully fledged Scousers! University life in Liverpool is sweet. With world class education, nightlife, shopping and cultural events on offer, why would you study anywhere else? To help you get the best of what Liverpool has to offer, we’ve teamed up with Arriva to compile the ultimate Student Bible.

We’ve got everything you need to know, from getting around, the best dining and drinks deals, nightlife hot spots, where to chill, shopping and some really useful uni life hacks that will save you a few quid of that all important student loan!

This is the Arriva Student Bible….

Getting Around

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Do yourself a massive favour and get your Arriva North West Student Travel Pass boxed off now. Flexible and convenient, you can manage all your travel needs using the Arriva m-ticket app and have your ticket delivered straight to your phone. If you are studying at The University of Liverpool or Liverpool John Moores University you can buy a smartcard direct from your Guild at reduced prices or you can also order online for delivery with royal mail.

Your Arriva Student Ticket entitles you to travel right across the North West region – handy if you fancy a day discovering North Wales, Wirral, Chester or Manchester.

Which ticket should you by? Well, the longer your ticket is valid for, the more you save! From a single term to a whole academic year, check out www.arrivabus.co.uk to see how much you can save and sort your travel needs with Arriva.

If you’re travelling with a group of mates or want to arrive in style, check out ArrivaClick. This smart, flexible mini bus service guarantees a comfortable seat, wifi and charging points while you travel. Find out more here.

Nightlife

If you’re just finding your feet in our fabulous city, we’ve given you a head start by listing the best bars and clubs. Whether you’re after a swanky cocktail bar, somewhere to watch live music or the footy, get snap happy with the most Insta-worthy backdrops or a straight up boozer with the footy on, we’ve got you covered.

The Baltic

What started out as a bunch of disused warehouses has grown to an out of this world social hub that offers so much more than just a quiet few drinks after uni. The Baltic Triangle runs the length of Jamaica Street and includes The Cain’s Brewery Village and Stanhope Street too.

Here you’ll find everything from Punch Tarmey’s Irish Bar which is the place to go for watching the footy and live music events. There’s Ghetto Golf, The Peaky Blinders bar, live music, cocktails and street food at The Baltic Market, piano wars, themed nights and of course, Bongo’s Bingo at Content plus amazing gin at Tusk, Pina Colada’s at Birdies, Punk Afternoon Tea at the Baltic Social and who could resist dancing the night away at 24 Kitchen Street and Constellations. Get here, now.

Concert Square to Seel Street

Deemed the ‘younger’ end of town, Concert Square, Fleet Street, Wood Street, Slater Street and Seel Street is a mecca for Liverpool’s students. Freshers will already know how Modo, McCooley’s, Level and CIRCO throw it down after amazing freshers parties, but venture a little further and check out this lot.

The Jacaranda and Phase One is where all the live music fans hang out. Get to The Baa Bar for cheap shots, The Merchant for themed nights and Night Crawler Pizza, The Zanzibar for unforgettable gigs, Alma De Cuba for cocktails and the insta-worthy petal shower. The Peacock does a free Friday night bbq, Electrik offers up three floors of tunes (and you will fall on the stairs at some point! Finish off at El Bandito  with 3am tequila to get you home with a hangover.

Liverpool ONE

There’s a whole host of bars on offers at Liverpool ONE, the majority of which offer regular deals on cocktails and masterclasses too! Roxy Ball Room is the place to drink and get competitive with pool, beer pong and more. Or you can head down to the Wahaca roof terrace to chill with live DJ’s on Saturdays.

Get to The Club House for live music and a glass of fizz on the lawn, next door to Aether for date night or classy cocktails with the girls, Las Iguanas is the one to celebrate pretty much anything and check out Bierkeller for a hit of traditional Bavarian culture – do’t forget your lederhosen!

Mathew Street

It might be a magnet for stag & hen parties but some of the best and most lively city boozers are plotted on this famous thoroughfare. Get a selfie with Cilla and cuddle up to John Lennon before heading into The Cavern to hear a live band. The Grapes is easily one of the most packed pubs in town, along with Sgt Peppers and McCooley’s. Go mad with a week-night dance sesh in Eric’s, cocktails at Turtle Bay and pull yourself a stag/hen at Flannagan’s Apple, it’s practically a rite of passage.

Smithdown Road

Wavertree is a huge student housing area in the city and as you’d probably guessed, there’s plenty of great bars in and around Smithdown Road. If you’re too skint for town, here’s the local venues you can go for drinks without breaking the bank. First up it’s got to be Craft Taproom, then down to Kelly’s Dispensary – it looks like an old mans put but its boss.

Handyman’s Brewery is another deceiver but you can’t have a bad night there. Further on its the Brookhouse, TriBeCa has an amazing outdoor terrace/garden, The Tavern is always lively (and does one of the best brekkies in the city) and The Willow Bank Tavern always offers a warm welcome.

Plan your journey in advance with the Arriva Bus App, download it here.

Restaurants

Dining in Liverpool has never been so exciting – we can literally offer you the world on a plate. Bring you appetite and scroll down to plan your first meal in the city.

Restaurant hot spots include Castle Street for Santa Maluco, Salt House Bacaro, Rudy’s Pizza, Pasta Cosa, Gino’s, Castle Street Townhouse and Rocket & Ruby. More on Castle Street here. 

Bold Street is a mecca for independents and scouse institutions. Mowgli Street Food, Italian Club, Tabac, Bundobust, Crust, Maray, Bold Street Coffee, American Pizza Slice, Leaf, Slim’s and loads more. More info here. 

The Royal Albert Dock Liverpool is packed with world flavours. You have to try Rosa’s Thai Cafe, Rough Handmade Microbakery, Gusto, The Smugglers Cove, Revolucion De Cuba, Peaberry Coffee House & Kitchen, Maray, Luynalita and more. Info here. 

Liverpool ONE offers more than 30 different restaurants. From GBK, Yard & Coop, Brown’s, Las Iguanas, Pizza Express, Yo Sushi, Pizza Hut, Bill’s, Wagamama, Wahaca, Bryon’s, Nando’s and more. Info here. 

Here’s 6 of our favourite, year round student discounts on tasty food from around the city….

Yard & Coop, Hanover Street

The home of buttermilk fried chicken, Yard & Coop LOVES students! You can get 20% off all the time, all you have to do is show your valid student ID! More here. 

Ask Italian, Queen Square

Did you know Ask Italian offers a whopping 40% off student bills on Mondays and Tuesdays?! Menus and more here. 

Zizzi, Liverpool ONE

Zizzi at Liverpool ONE also offers 40% off your food bill every Monday & Tuesday and 30% off your food bill on Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays, the offer excludes drinks, menus and more info here.

Free State Kitchen, Maryland Street

Free State Kitchen are burger legends. This Georgian Quarter eatery offers a smashing student deal. Burger and a drink for £10 and you can upgrade your drink to a beer or wine for just £1.50. Menus and more here. 

Tate Liverpool Cafe, Royal Albert Dock

Did you know that as a student at LJMU, University of Liverpool, Edge Hill and Hope University, students can see exhibitions for free at Tate Liverpool? There’s also 10% off in the Tate Liverpool Cafe too. The cake is always lush! More here. 

Maggie May’s, Bold Street

This isn’t strictly a student discount, its just a ridiculously good offer! Get a generous bowl of scouse, red cabbage or beetroot and crusty bread and butter plus a drink for less than £6 at Maggie May’s. It’ll solve all your hangry problems in an instant. More info here.

Shopping

Liverpool ONE

Liverpool ONE is a shoppers paradise. The huge site includes luxury and high street brands such as Michael Kors, NEw Look, H&M, JD Sports, Footlocker, Zara and more than 165 other stores. There is also The Leisure Terrace which is where you’ll find lots of bars and restaurants, plus ODEON IMAX Cinema, Junkyard Golf and Chavasse Park offering free events for everyone to enjoy, throughout the year. Find out more here. 

Metquarter

Metquarter is home to the city’s Everyman Cinema (big screen action, in seat service and comfy sofas!) and high end stores such as Jack Wills, Hugo Boss, Kids Cavern, TM Lewin, Cricket, and Kurt Geiger. You can also browse the latest looks at MAC and Jo Malone and relax with a rich, Italian coffee at the likes of Costa, 200 Degrees Coffee or Antonio’s. More info here. 

St John’s Shopping Centre

St John’s Shopping Centre is packed with stores such as Poundland, The Perfume Shop, The Entertainer, Wilkinson’s Home & Bargain and loads of independents selling everything from clothes, hair accessories, jewellery, birthday cards, stationery and more. There’s also a key cutting service here for when you inevitably lose your keys! More here. 

Bold Street

Bold Street is topped by Liverpool’s famous, Bombed Out Church (St Luke’s) which is a great place to get a cab after a night out! Bold Street is littered with boss independent stores selling everything from modern art, books, second hand wedding dresses, fancy dress, homewear and a cat cafe.

Church Street

Running from Hanover Street to the cross section with Paradise Street at Liverpool ONE and Lord street, Church Street is a long, pedestrianised stretch offer the likes of M&S, Primark and the largest Lush store in the UK. You’ll also find Schuh, TK Maxx, Clarks, Three, Top Shop, Top Man, Next and more.

Lord Street

Lord Street is the continuation of Church Street and is book-ended by McDonald’s and Costa Coffee. Along this pedestrianised road you’ll also find a huge new H&M and lots of cash points at Barclays.

Arriva bus services operate right across the city region. If you’re heading in to town to shop til you drop, check out the nearest bus stations, services and tickets with Arriva here.

Chilling

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While the party going is good, you may fancy a bit of a chill at times. Here’s 5 of our favourite places to escape the hustle and clear your head. All of which you can get to with Arriva.

Crosby Beach

Situated just a 10 minute bus journey out of the city centre, Crosby Marina and beach is a little oasis for everyone to enjoy. With stunning view over to Wirral and North Wales – snap a selfie with one of the Antony Gormley Iron Men and wander along the sand dunes.

National Museums Liverpool

Did you know we have 7 amazing museums which are free to enter? Why not free your mind of uni work and learn something new. Museum of Liverpool is where you get your scouse education, while World Museum at William Brown Street offers a planetarium, natural world and Ancient Egypt permanent exhibitions which are rivalled only by London. Find out more here. 

Otterspool

Another waterfront location which affords fabulous views over to Wirral is Otterspool. Watch the planes coming in to John Lennon Airport and walk along the waterfront the the Baltic without having to cross a single road. Festival Gardens is also worth a wander.

Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool has two cathedrals – you probably know that already, but the Anglican Cathedral (the taller brown one) offers an opportunity to see the city from a birds eye view. Climb the bell tower steps on Twilight Thursdays and see the spectacular view of the city after dark. Find out more here. 

Sefton Park

The stalwart of chilled days in the city, Sefton Park has acres of green space, pathways and lake to help you unwind. Many people use the circular park to run, jog, cycle or dog walk and it’s just a 2 minute walk to Lark Lane for a warming hot chocolate or ice cream in the summer.

Uni Life Hacks

So now you know how to get around, where to eat, drink and shop, party and chill – but we’re not done yet. Our resident graduate Josh has given us a heads up on the best ways to make your life easier during uni life in Liverpool.

Here’s Josh’s top 5 uni life hacks….

1 – Totum Card

Think about getting a Totum Card (previously NUS card) – get’s you loads of discount, prices start from free to £14.99 which gets you a full 12 month subscription and can include a PASS which is a form of photo ID (see here)

2 – Independent Liverpool Card

Have a look at the Independent Liverpool subscription which gets you loads of discounts at Independents across the city, including restaurants, bars and shops.

3 – Unidays App

Download the Unidays app which again will get you loads of discounts on national chain restaurants, bars and stores.

4 – Speak Up

One thing that Josh learned very quickly during his uni days was to speak up. Lots of bars, restaurants, shops and attractions offer student discount, they just dont advertise it. Make sure you speak up and enjoy a little discount!

5 – Koka Noodles

The student population in Liverpool has developed an ever lasting love affair with one cheap and cheerful, yet tasty food stuff. Koka Noodles. You’ll find them in Home & Bargain and any newsagents/corner shop, usually 4 for £1. The chicken ones are the best but if you’re having a bit of a day, or you’ve got £3.79 in the bank and dont want to ring home AGAIN, get some Koka Noodles down yer. You can thank Josh later.

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