Why The Brink in Liverpool is much more than just an alcohol free bar

How Liverpool’s first dry bar and café The Brink went from social initiative to one of Parr Street’s most popular hangouts

Whether we’re getting together, relaxing at home, going to the pictures or getting our hair done, the offer of alcohol is everywhere. There was barely an alternative to ‘going for a drink’ in town – not until the arrival of The Brink in 2011 in Slater Street which became the UK’s first Dry Bar and meant being social didn’t have to mean being hungover.

More importantly The Brink offered a brilliant alternative for people in recovery who appreciated having the freedom to socialise in an upbeat, vibrant venue with people they could relate to, and the chance to enjoy a social life as they were taking steps to rebuild other aspects of their lives.

Owned by Action on Addiction, with all profits donated to supporting recovery in Liverpool, aside from a hugely positive social impact, The Brink gained an almost overnight reputation for offering an outstanding menu of food and drink making the venue far more than just an alcohol-free alternative.

Soon, it was a popular choice for families who preferred an alcohol-free environment, with children loving the delicious smoothies and pancake menu, as well as an increasing amount of people looking for healthy food and drink options with options such the fresh presse of the week. Meanwhile, The Brink’s menu of delicious mocktails created a buzz with groups of friends looking for somewhere to get together without the boozy bustle.

The Brink turned nine in November, but delayed celebrating until this month as they were a little busy getting ready for some VIP visitors with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge – patron of The Brink’s charity Action on Addiction and Mary Berry arriving to feature The Brink during filming of the BBC’s A Very Berry Christmas.

If you’ve yet to sample The Brink here’s a few good reasons why you really should…

1 – Great food

The Brink café has gained an impressive reputation with more glowing restaurant reviews than it serves platefuls of healthy, fresh food – because whether you’re hungry for a treat or fancy a healthy alternative The Brink gets it right with a balanced menu to suit your mood.

The Vegan breakfast is known as one of the best in the city, and if you’re spoilt for choice at lunch, you need to experience The Brink Burger – and don’t even get us started on the joys of the Parmesan chips. While gorgeous pancake stacks are the perfect snack or one to share and come with a choice of healthy honey and yogurt or American bacon and maple syrup.

View The Brink menu here

2 – Great times

Take booze out of the mix and what are we left with? Well, a lovingly crafted cocktail menu filled with delicious-sounding ingredients and presented as well as any other cocktail bar, as it turns out, with eye-catching names like the Brink Panther which blends fresh strawberries, cranberry juice, super-fruit tea and apple & elderflower cordial with a pink lemonade topper – and only healthy benefits guaranteed…

Or, if you’re feeling less saintly, get tempted by the Chocolate Cooler. That’s a chocolate flake tea with maple syrup, a shot of coffee and chocolate ice cream topped off with chocolate sprinkles. And even better, all cocktails are a thirst-quenching £2.95.

Visit The Brink dry bar here

3 – Great friends

As well as serving up a can’t-go-wrong menu of healthier choices, The Brink keeps everyone coming back for more by holding regular events and having a great relationship with the local Creative community.

Visiting performers provide non-stop comedy, music, art and entertainment, and you can also find a full calendar of lifestyle classes and workshops that keep The Brink busy, including guitar lessons, Yoga, Thai Boxercise and The Brink’s 5-a-side trophy-winning football team Brink FC who train every Saturday.

Next up for 2020, belated Brink birthday celebrations take place on 31 January with a party which will see the launch of the new Brink menu which will now be available at weekends as part of new plans made between The Brink and regular customers who shared their opinions in how to improve. A simple but effective way to keep The Brink bustling all week long.

View weekly events at The Brink here

Has The Brink made a difference to your family? Or do you want to rave about the menu? Let us know @TheGuideLpool

If you or someone you care for is suffering from issues relating to addiction help is available here