It’s been a tough few months. But slowly and surely the city’s creeping back to life.
We’ve missed the hustle and bustle. The culture, the music, the food and the fun. The excitement of planning big nights out and the thrill of falling into spontaneous adventures.
There’s no denying that July won’t be business as usual. But if you’re ready to venture out there’s loads of good stuff and great places to check out. And if you’re not… there’s still loads of ways to support our local indies.
Celebrate Independents’ Day
Independents Day’ is a celebration of independent retailers that happens every year and fittingly it falls on the 4 July when many of the places we love will be opening their doors again. It’s the perfect excuse to eat and drink your way around the city, shop local and thank the businesses that kept you going through the bleakest parts of lockdown. It’s a tricky time for independents as they balance re-opening with keeping everyone safe – check out our post on how to support them here.
Visit Speke Hall
We’re not sure if it’s school trip nostalgia or memories of rain-soaked childhood visits, but there’s something undeniably comforting about a trip to a national trust property. So we’re made up that the grounds at Speke Hall are back open again. You’ll need to book a time to visit on the website and take your own picnic as the cafe is closed, but wandering the kitchen garden and manicured lawns is a great way to spend an afternoon. Info here.
Fill your face at the Baltic Market
The big doors of the Baltic Market are preparing to swing open again on the 4 July. There will be the usual array of corking street food to tuck into but you’ll have to leave your ‘my buzzers flashing, I’m off to get my food’ dance at home for now, as through the magic of app ordering the traders will bring your order to you. Get down for incredible vegan burgers, Korean street food, awesome steaks, Malaysian delights and loads more. Info here.
Join a slavery walking tour
Historian and writer Laurence Westgaph is running a series of walking tours this month where you can discover more about the city’s slavery history. The tours will start at various points in the city including Falkner Square Gardens, The Black-E and St George’s Plateau, and will raise money for the Liverpool Enslaved Memorial Project, a campaign for a permanent memorial to enslaved people who died and were buried in the city. Register here.
Desserts By Dre Treat Box
In the words of owner Dre: “What makes us different to every other cake maker is our simplicity and originality paying homage to the classic flavours that I love so much.” A couple weeks ago we treated ourselves to a treat box from local baker Desserts By Dre and we haven’t stopped thinking about it since. An ever-changing box of delights handmade and delivered to your door for just £15. Orders made through Instagram here.
Drive-in concerts
Glasto on the telly has gone some way to relieving the yearning for festival season, but there’s nothing like the euphoria of live music. So how about a concert in your car? Down at Central Docks some massive names will be performing live this month for you to enjoy from your own personal dance floor. Park up and enjoy gigs from the likes of Tony Hadley, Lightning Seeds, Ash, Sigala and loads more. More here.
Get a hit of culture
Liverpool is blessed with incredible museums and galleries and we’ve really missed them over the past few months. Some of our favourites have yet to announce a re-opening date but you can get yourself down to Tate Liverpool from the 27 July and the Walker Art Gallery and World Museum will be open at the earliest opportunity this month. Our cultural venues are amazing places to reflect, relax and get inspired and we can’t wait to wander through them again soon.
Wander Down The Docks
The hospitality and leisure plans to re-open on the famous Docks from Saturday 4th July. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Albert Dock’s website and the new Plan Your Visit page for the latest up-to-date openings, booking links and any information you may need ahead of your trip to Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, part of the UNESCO waterfront. The Albert Dock estate team have been working hard while you’ve been away, installing visible guidance and signage making sure you can return with confidence. More here.
Exchange Flags food market
Exchange Flags is a stunner of a square and on 4 July it’s turning into an open-air street food market with the traders like Just Gyros, Big Dub of Love and Halloumination rocking up to show off their wares. El Gato Negro will be opening their terrace too with live music from Jesus Martin Sax and DJ Zeke. More here.
Help Fund Granby Press
Set up by uber talented local artist Sumuyya Khader, Granby Press is a small community based arts organisation with a focus on print material and design. The main output being Risograph printed materials, zines, community newsletters and artist editions. Risographs are designed to be simple and versatile with little or no maintenance, combining very high print speeds with extremely low cost, they are a simple yet brilliant tool for anyone interested in producing affordable high quality printing. The GoFundMe has already smashed by its target – let’s keep it going! Donate here.
Soak up the views
It feels great to have the freedom to roam. Get out there and enjoy the many amazing open spaces on our doorstep: our incredible parks, docks, beaches and woods. Grab a picnic, get on your bike, everything looks better after a blast of fresh air and a dose of green spaces.
Book Yourself In At A New Rooftop Bar
Pins Social Club, on Duke Street, is the home of competitive socialising. A boutique bowling alley with live music, shuffleboard, pool tables and beer pong. They’ve been busy bees over lockdown and have built something quite astonishing on their rooftop. Outdoor spaces will be super popular over the coming months so be quick and get yourself booked in here.
Get the best of the city at home
Enjoying life at home? Not ready to get out and about yet? There are still loads of ways to get the city delivered to your door. Check out our delivery directory for treats and eats from local independents and a brilliant way to support places that don’t have the space to open safely yet.
Support ROOT-Ed Zine
ROOT-ed (Revolution of our time) is a self-published zine, and social platform, that aims to promote, support and inspire creative people of colour within the North West of England. The zine was founded by artists Amber Akaunu and Fauziya Johnson during their final year at university in which they both studied Fine Art. The two saw a lack of representation in university, media, galleries and museums and felt the need to create this platform to represent the underrepresented by allowing creatives to showcase their talents and skills and voice their thoughts and ideas. Donate here.
