Bank Holidays, the only time the word ‘bank’ is used in a sentence and met with a joyous disposition.
Three-day weekend, there is something so satisfying about those assortment of words – it is only an extra day off when you rip away at its special seams but there is something so universally desired and celebrated about it. There’ll be no fifteen alarms set just in case you missed the first fourteen, no awkward trying to pass the bus driver a note without eye contact as you forgot to get change and most importantly, no work. That is based on the assumption you’re a 9-5’er office kinda person, if you’re a bartender, chef or self employed, well, we sympathise with you as there is no day off – but that’s still no excuse not to enjoy the weekend. Bank holidays have an almost New Year-esque feel to them, the pressure of the occasion and the prospect of an anti-climax can sometimes be too much but we’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Go To A Pie And Cider Festival
You either like pies or you’re wrong. It’s in the Northern DNA to salivate at the sight of flaky and buttery pastry with cascading fillings which is why the news of a festival dedicated to them should make you very happy. The Merchant will be transformed into an emporium of all things pie and cider on August bank holiday weekend. Sweet and savoury, hot and cold, vegan and veggie, gluten and gluten free. There’s something for everyone. To wash it down, there’ll be over 20 variations of cider ranging from the classic staple to the obscure and pretty much everything in between. It’s free and family friendly!
Get Down To The Garden Party At Buyers Club
With the Summer sadly drawing to a close, Buyers Club felt the time was right to revisit their Garden Party concept to perfectly bookend their first Summer on Hardman Street. Across the weekend there is an array of *free* events to suit every need, including a Buyers Club neighbourhood BBQ on the Friday with meats and beats, a record fair on the Saturday full of bargains and treasures, a day of DJing by the Tuff Love Soul Club and a roast on the Monday. Fantastic.
Grab A Burger At The FREE Bbq At Heebies
Johnny Sands is hosting Bank Holiday Saturday special courtyard sessions from 3pm where he will be showcasing the best in local Liverpool talent. From 5pm the evening gets even better with a free BBQ until the sun goes down. At midnight expect fire dancers and performers on the courtyard to give you a teaser of the re-launch of their basement.
Party Until The Sun Comes Up At The Jacaranda
The Sunday is smack bang in the middle of International Beatles week and The Jacaranda have a ‘Lord Woodbine special’ – celebrating how the Beatles early career was shaped by the Trinidadian Calypso master – known as the 6th Beatle. The partying goes on until 7am so hardcore revelers of the night, if you don’t fancy calling it a night at a decent hour, head to The Jac.
Photo by www.theguideliverpool.co.uk
Pre-order The New Independent Liverpool Card
Shameless plug we know but we had to get this in here. This year we’ve decided to do Scouse emojis! A homage to the places you can use the card and the famous landmarks in the city. The card gets you discounts and deals at over 100 independents in the city. Places like Moon & Pea, Lucha Libre, Liverpool Cheese Company, East Avenue Bakehouse, Utility, Free State Kitchen and more. The idea is to shop local and be rewarded at the same time. Grab yours here for a special pre-order price here.
Go On A Georgian Quarter Pub Crawl
A pub crawl with an emphasis on the crawl. The beautiful Georgian Quarter is a legacy of Liverpool’s former wealth. The area Liverpool boasts one of the largest collections of terraced Georgian town houses outside of London. Luckily for you, we’ve devised a way to explore the beautiful area through some of Liverpool’s most amazing boozers and more importantly, beer. Read it here.
Bongo’s Bingo
It’s bingo, but not as you know it. Jonny Bongo is well known for hosting some of the most outrageous pub quizzes known to man and holds the record for the biggest pub quiz ever held. Hosted at Camp and Furnace, it has revolutionised Liverpool’s nightlife. Expect mid-rave intervals with glow sticks, drunken frivolity and catwalks on the large benches. Maybe leave your Nan at home for this one. Tickets.
Go Dance At The Folk Festival On The Dock
Folk on the Dock will bring together the city’s rich music and maritime heritage in an exuberant celebration of live acoustic folk, sea shanty and folk rock over the August bank holiday weekend. Folk on the Dock will tell the remarkable story of how the ships and crews coming through Liverpool’s docks shaped the musical landscape of the city forever – further cementing its status as a UNESCO City of Music. More here.
Red Door Summer Spritz Party
One last time. Red Door are bidding farewell to Summer on bank holiday Sunday in style. Spritz style. Join them on the terrace between 3-7pm for 2-4-1 on Aperol Spritz and live music from Neil Noa and a BBQ. You had us at Aperol.
Liverpool Fever Fest
The event will take place on Sunday 28th August and will be a ticketed event in stunning circus-style tents providing guests with the best 70s, 80s & 90s classic dance hits. There will also be a “silent disco” taking place in tent number 2 with a great mix of House Music playing. The event takes place with the stunning backdrop of Croxteth Country Park mansion on the back lawn and starts from 2pm until 11pm.
All That Jazz At Blind Tiger
To celebrate the last Bank Holiday weekend of the year, Blind Tiger have the sultry swing singing siren Kayleigh O’Neil performing from 9pm on Friday 26th August AND then their very special guest…the wondrous and supremely talented Alan Cross on stage on Sunday 28th August. Oh, by the way, little insiders tip – if you head down please get a portion of salt and pepper chicken spring rolls. More here.
Constellations Garden Party Chill Out
To round off a jam packed weekend and to see the Bank Holiday out in style, Constellations have got a little garden love in for the August bank holiday Monday. Go and nurse your hangover, enjoy the sunshine (before it takes a break for winter) and join in the family friendly vibes with: Mark Forshaw,
Adele Moss b2b Holly Lester, Jimmy Allen and lots more amazing local DJ’s.
Discover Hidden Gems
Bank holidays are all about adventure. Away from the prime real estate, hidden down alleys you may have never ventured with no signs, no directions and not a drop of help from Google Maps. Fancy finding your new favourite coffee shop? A vintage shop to tell all your mates about or a fine wine shop to help find a bottle of red? Read the full blog here.
Pete Rock & CL Smooth At Arts Club
One leading pair of groundbreakers formed in the heart of the burgeoning New York scene, were the Mount Vernon duo of Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth. The perfect balance of exquisite beat maker and natural MC, the pair blew white hot for an incredibly short period of time before disbanding over artistic differences to follow their own solo paths. Releasing three critically acclaimed releases, 91’s All Souled Out EP, Mecca & The Soul Brother in 1992 (heralded as one of the greatest hip-hop LPs of all time) and follow up The Main Ingredient in 1994, the New York group in just a short life span, sealed their position in the hip-hop hall of fame. They’re back for a rare show, don’t miss it. Tickets here.
Celebrate International Beatles Week
Now we know we all take the Beatles for granted but this festival is actually quite unique. It was what evolved into Matthew Street festival and what then evolved again into Liverpool International Music Festival. It was Liverpool’s prototype of a homegrown music festival. You can expect auctions, music and expert speakers from all over the world coming to Liverpool from 24th August to 30th August. Beatles mania. More info here.
Picture by Al Disley
Special thanks to Jody Hartley for featured image.