Whilst Liverpool is far from the wettest cities in the UK, sometimes it can feel it.
No one likes moping about on rainy days, so get out of the house and make the most of everything you can do in Liverpool. When the sun is out, the city can feel like an adventure playground, but believe it or not, it is great on a rainy day too. From drawing classes to cheese clubs, there’s plenty of ways to keep dry and happy.
Draw at LEAF
A mini holiday for the creative mind – equipping you with a variety of art materials and challenging the typical conceptions of Model Drawing where all levels are welcome. Get a nice cup of tea whilst you’re there and you’re escaping the rain in style. There’s always lots of things going on at LEAF, check the full listings here.
Play Board Games
There are a few places around the city stocking box shaped relics of a much simpler time. Arts Club and The Baltic Social are both great places for this. They’ve got spacious couches and sofas and a whole host of games. Imagine Cluedo, Scrabble, Monopoly and more with an alcoholic beverage to the side. Just make sure there is a sober person at all times as double vision can make Connect 4 a nightmare. By the way, who remembers Buckaroo?
Reach New Heights
Not just any wall. The Climbing Hangar has over 1000m2 of climbing area and it is so much fun. Go in a group and laugh at your friends, go with a date and try impress them or go on your own and pretend you’re Spider Man. More info here.
Have A Pint
Don’t underestimate the power of a pint, it can be the best and most simple way to escape the rain. Your favourite boozers need you all year round, head down for a pint, a game of pool, darts or play a board game and you’re in for a fun night. Liverpool isn’t short of boozers, we’re well known for one of the best nights out in the UK and for good reason. Lucky for you, we’ve navigated your way through the hops headquarters and have created a beer compendium of 12 venues worth having a pint in. Read it here.
Drink Coffee
In the modern world we guzzle oil and coffee in similar amounts and depending on where you go, those two might end up akin to one another. Contemporary society runs off it, we meet up with friends over it and it is arguably the most important meal of the day. Is there a better way to keep dry than with a cup of coffee? Maybe, just maybe, if there’s a nice slice of cake. Here’s our guide to the best cups of coffee in Liverpool.
Follow Your Art
Liverpool boasts excellent art galleries to shelter from the rain. We’ve got The Tate, Victoria Gallery The Bluecoat, The Walker Art Gallery and Open Eye Gallery, just to name a few. All are equally ambitious and beautiful in their own way and provide an insightful respite away from the humdrum of the high street. If you fancy something out of the city, head to Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight.
Escape
Have you heard of the Exit Strategy Game yet? There are many rooms and within each room is a story. You’ll have to find hidden objects and clues in order to crack the codes in this afternoon of part theatre part puzzle experience. Unfortunately, the old bald presenter is no longer available and there is no catching flying money at the end but fun all the same. More info here.
Muse At The Museums
We may have won the prestigious Capital of Culture title 8 years ago now but never has the city felt so culturally enriching. For a relatively small city, you’ve got a lot to choose from. The World Museum, Museum of Liverpool and Maritime Museum always have exciting things on. It’s outstanding from the outside and even better inside.
Go To The Cinema
Not just any cinema, either. We’re talking about a place where you don’t need a second mortgage for a large popcorn, drink and bag of Haribo. The old Magistrates Court has been revamped into an intimate cinema to show off local filmmakers work. A unique experience that embraces community and takes cinema back to the core of what it is. More info here.
Listen To Vinyl
In a land far, far away there was a time when the only way to listen to music was to remove huge frisby-looking objects from their well kept sleeves and to put them under a mystical looking player with the steadiness of a surgeon and hope you didn’t scratch it. Pop the kettle on, remove a golden oldie from its sleeve and let the rain trickle your windows. Grab some vinyl from Dig Vinyl, Probe Records and Jacaranda Records.
Wander Around Central Library
BBC Culture just announced Liverpool’s Central Library to be one of the ten most beautiful libraries in the world, making the visit all the more poignant. The library is located in several adjoining historic buildings on the city’s historic William Brown Street. The building boasts over 4 million items with everything from documents to books to be discovered. Its sheer beauty can’t be articulated with mere words, you’ll have to go see it for yourself.
Attend Cheese School
If you like a lot of cheese on your cracker, join this club. Informative, fun and above all, delicious. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about cheese, how it tastes, how it’s made, what to eat it with and what wine, beer, cider – or even tea to drink with it. Each month the Liverpool Cheese Company gather in the upper room in the relaxed and comfortable Clove Hitch on Hope Street, where we will. of course be able to take advantage of their well stocked bar! More info here.
Read A Book
There’s no better feeling than sinking your teeth into a good book. A unique portable magic that allows you to escape from the world, into another world, far more interesting than your own. It’s, of course, the simple things in life that are the best. We’re talking nice surroundings, an endless pot of tea and a good page turner. Head to Garden At Fact, 92 Degrees Coffee or Cow & Co.
Live Music
Rainy days and live music go so well. You can look off into the distance, appear pensive and pretend like you’re in a music video. Don’t act like you don’t do it. The whole city is riding to the Mersey beat and there are always live music events. Check out The Brunch Club, The Caledonia, The Jacaranda and Sound Food & Drink for constant events.
Be Inspired At FACT
FACT offers some of the most unique experiences in the city. In the last couple months alone you’ve been able to create your own star and give Shia Labeouf a call. It can be quite hard to keep up with the antics but luckily for all of us, they’re always updating their website. There’s a Scouse Roots show on at the moment not to be missed. Check the listings here.
Take A Breather At Sefton Park Palm House
The dome shaped Victorian palm-house with lush flora is quite possibly, the best place to be when it’s raining. Hide amongst the beautiful plants, watch the rain hit the clear dome and relax. There are always events happening worth going, such as monthly artisan events, yoga and drawing classes. Check them out here.
Find Inner Peace At Yoga
Yoga has become increasingly popular over the years as people are in search of Zen in a world of chaos. A time to turn off the phone, leave your worries at the door and find harmony on a mat. White Wolf Yoga just opened and it even has an amazing veggie and vegan offering inside. You know what do next. Namaste. More info here.
Go To Arts And Vintage Markets
Vintage has made a comeback: the crescendo is down to but a few aficionados who are flying the flag for timeless in an attempt to keep your wardrobe full of someone else’s past. There’s a lot in the Liverpool calendar worth checking out, especially the summer arts market in St George’s Hall, the monthly artisan event at The Palmhouse and the monthly Pillbox Vintage events at LEAF. Keeping dry whilst shopping: the dream.
Fancy saving money at close to 100 of the best independents in Liverpool? Check out the Independent Liverpool Membership Card. It is just £15 for a year (or £20 for two) of discounted discovery at some of Liverpool’s best independents. Shop local and save money, buy yours here.