Built in the early 18th Century, The Bluecoat is the oldest building in central Liverpool and has been designated as a Grade I listed building by English Heritage.
Home to artists and small businesses alike, this has been a centre of excellence for culture sine we can remember. As it is one of the most important buildings in our history, it is important that we keep visiting so that it stays open for future generations to enjoy this architectural tour de force. With a rather pleasant bistro on the second floor, Upstairs at the Bluecoat should be your excuse to pop in as often as you can. And why wouldn’t you want to anyway, as it is serving some of the most soul warming food from the hours of 11:30am to 4pm Monday to Sunday.
They have just released their Autumn menu which is perfect for warming you up through these cold months. We went for the quintessential Liverpudlian dish – the Bluecoat’s Classic Homemade Scouse, which was served with pickled cabbage and a toasted bloomer. There’s not too many places in town that sell a proper bowl of Scouse that rival our Ma’s, but this was definitely a contender and will have you mopping up every last bit with the warm crusty roll. We also went for the Beer Battered Scottish Line Caught Haddock, served with homemade chips, mushy peas & tartare sauce. The flaky fish fell apart with the manoeuvre of a fork which was covered in a deliciously crisp and light beer batter. To top it off, the mound of chips were perfect for dunking in the sharp and freshly made tartare sauce. This fish-dish is not for the faint-hearted, you will need a few hours to take down the plate of food.
Apart from the tasty food, Upstairs at the Bluecoat is one of the most aesthetically pleasing spaces we have visited. The huge light box that hangs from the ceiling adds character to the space and hangs over the bar, illuminating the best of Liverpool Organic Brewery’s bottled ales. The walls are adorned with local artist’s work and old desks from when the original Bluecoat School used to inhabit the building still rest in the bistro, if you look closely you will see the scribes of bored 14 year olds; some things never change. This space would be perfect for a Christmas party. You can rent out the space for £10 per head and enjoy anything from drinks to a hot buffet to canapes to a 3 course meal – all in the private and creative surroundings of The Bluecoat.
If you fancy a break from the hustle and bustle of Church Street, then dander down School Lane and head to The Bluecoat and replenish yourself Upstairs at the Bluecoat. Cardholders can enjoy 10% off the bill, making it all the more tastier. Check out their website www.thebluecoat.org.uk to keep up to date with all their latest news, events, arts exhibitions and more.