Almost two decades on, this vibrant UK city is still a 'Capital of Culture'

Liverpool’s iconic waterfront makes for a stunning view (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

In 2008, Liverpool was declared the European Capital of Culture, having undergone an ‘economic and cultural renaissance’ since the decline of its traditional industries.

The celebrations included all manner of cultural highlights, including a performance of ‘Liverpool: The Musical’ featuring Beatles legend Ringo Starr.

Now, almost two decades later, what does a cultural day out in Liverpool look like in 2024?

With Giles and George Martin’s ‘Love’ album of re-imagined Beatles music serving as the soundtrack to my journey, I set off to investigate.

Live music

The first and most important thing to recognise is that any tour of Liverpool’s cultural sites is impossible to do in a day.

The city offers so much to visitors, tourists, and residents alike that 24 hours is just not enough time to explore its offerings.

So, with so much choice, where to begin?

With a city that has had such a profound influence on popular music as Liverpool, it seems wrong not to start the day with some live music.

The Jacaranda hosted the first-ever gig by The Beatles. (Picture: Jack Rowley)

Fortunately, as fate would have it, the day of my visit coincides with Record Store Day 2024 – a celebration of independent record shops across the UK, with 260 shops participating.

One of those involved is the legendary Jacaranda Club, just off Slater Street.

Founded in 1957, its regular customers included a few local students – John Lennon, Stuart Sutcliffe, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney, who (along with first drummer Pete Best) would play their first-ever gig here as the group known as ‘The Beatles’, with founder Allan Williams going on to be the group’s first manager.

Today, the venue still hosts a huge amount of live music, as well as The Jacaranda Record Store, which is located upstairs.

In celebration of Record Store Day, The Jacaranda had local artists performing all day.

Interview: MT Jones

After a superb performance, Metro.co.uk caught up with local soul artist MT Jones.

Why do you like performing in Liverpool?

‘It’s an amazing city. I’m local, and everyone’s very friendly, with open ears.

‘There is a wide range of genres in Liverpool, and there is a great scene here – people that like to go out and listen to good music. There is so much going on that there is something for everyone, really.’

What are your feelings about the wider arts and culture scene in Liverpool?

‘The scene here is ever-changing. There are a lot more jazz nights nowadays, but there is just so much going on. It’s great that the Jac and local places like this are pushing original music. I think that’s important.

MT Jones performed at The Jacaranda for Record Store Day 2024 (Picture: Jack Rowley)

‘There is quite a bit of support here. If you want to try something new or start a new project, [Liverpool’s] a great place to do it.’

How important are independent places like The Jacaranda?

‘It’s great. I’m all for the vinyl revival – It’s nice to have something tangible, where you listen to it, you take your time, and it’s a physical thing that you get to appreciate the artwork of. You also get to read the credits of the people who were involved with the record.

‘I’m a solo artist, but there are a lot of people behind what I do – producers, different players, co-writers, and it’s an opportunity to see that on a record.’

MT Jones’ new single, ‘Tough Love,’ will be released in May 2024. It will form part of a four-track self-titled EP due to be released on vinyl later in the year.

Later that evening, we also paid a visit to the Liverpool Arts Bar on Hope Street – a gorgeous bar located on the ground floor of Liverpool’s Masonic Hall, a Grade II listed building.

With local musicians performing regularly, rehearsal studios available to rent, and local artists’ works hanging on the walls, the Arts Bar tries its best to support and encourage the Liverpool arts scene however it can.

Liverpool Arts Bar supports the city’s music scene. (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

Sadly, that evening’s live music was cancelled at the last minute, but the bar still offered a great DJ, a selection of cocktails for £8 each (or £14 for two if you get both the same), and beautiful surroundings to enjoy.

Accommodation

After the live music, it’s time to check in to the hotel.

Accommodation for the visit was provided by The Halyard, a historic luxury hotel situated in the heart of the city.

Perhaps the perfect lodging for an exploration of Liverpool’s culture and history, the Halyard (a nautical term for a rope knot) stands on the footprint of former 18th-century rope-making warehouses and boasts interiors that ‘reflect elegance inspired by the grandeur of 18th-century mercantile leaders’.

The rooms at The Halyard are extremely comfortable (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

The rooms at The Halyard are simply stunning – modern but with a gorgeous vintage aesthetic that is subtle yet characterful.

A couple of measures of Halyard’s own gin are waiting in the room, along with an espresso machine, large TV, branded robes, a large comfy bed, and even flip-flops – all the comforts you could hope for during your stay.

A lovely view out over Liverpool greets you from the Juliet balcony doors, and the mood lighting gives the whole place a wonderful atmosphere.

Situated just ten minutes from Liverpool Central Station and only eight minutes from the famous waterfront, The Halyard’s location is perfect for exploring the city. Queen Deluxe/Deluxe rooms are priced around £420 for non-members for a Saturday night stay at this time of year, so by no means a budget stay, but perfect if you’re celebrating a special occasion.

The Halyard’s rooms provide everything you could need. (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

On a budget? Check out these cheaper stays…

• To stay at ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock room rates for a double start from £58 per night.
• Leonard Hotel, previously Jury Inn, is also on the Albert Dock, and offers standard rooms with breakfast starting from £84.50 per night.
• Stay at Hilton Liverpool City Centre, where prices start from £163 per room per night.
• The rates at Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre fluctuate, but there are some great deals to be had. For example, to stay from 8-9 May, a double room is just £58, or £51 to stay 13-14 May. The best prices at Premier Inn are only available when you book direct on their website. Prices are per room and not person, so kids can stay and eat breakfast for free.

Liverpool’s art and architecture

From the moment you set foot in Liverpool’s city centre, you realise that art is absolutely everywhere – all you have to do is look up.

Liverpool has a lot to be proud of, from its two cathedrals’ grand opulence to the almost ubiquitous street art adorning the sides of buildings.

Though modern development may have stripped it of its UNESCO World Heritage status, the famous waterfront comprises numerous famous structures, like the Liver Building, with its magnificent and imposing Liver Birds looking out across the Mersey.

Art is everywhere in Liverpool. (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

While exploring the riverfront, we visited the Open Eye Gallery – an ‘open source’ photography gallery that boasts around 85,000 visitors a year and aims to bring together different voices and communities with its exhibitions, which range from grassroots to globally recognised.

During my visit, the featured exhibition was ‘Saturday Town’ – a free-entry photography series compiled by the award-winning Caser Orr. In it, Orr photographed various young people after readying themselves for a night out.

The exhibition managed to be both light-hearted and provocative, serving as a celebration of individuality and expression, as well as fashion, style, and diversity.

Orr described the project as acting ‘as a witness to young lives.

Caser Orr’s exhibit goes ‘beyond selfies and social media platforms’.(Picture: Jon Fellowes)

‘Taking these photographs continues to excite me as it evolves and refers to the times in which we live, as well as a shared past that is reinvented and flows through new generations’, Casey went on to say.

‘Fashion and bodily self-expression are important and powerful tools for us all, to state who we are beyond consumerism and capitalism; beyond selfies and social media platforms’.

Liverpool’s museums

For anyone looking to expand their knowledge of the city, Liverpool has a plethora of museums to choose from that chronicle its history and art, including The Beatles’ Story, The Museum of Liverpool Life, and many more.

With culture being the centre of this visit, The Museum of Liverpool becomes an obvious destination, with the added bonus of no entry charge to the main exhibitions.

Liverpool has a rich cultural history. (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

After moving through the Guggenheim-esque lobby, the museum had several splendid exhibitions to choose from, beginning with one chronicling Liverpool’s history, from King John’s founding of the tour of ‘Liuerpul’ in 1207 to the present day.

The others include ‘Happiness!’ – a tribute to legendary Scouse comedian and ‘Squire of Knotty Ash’ Ken Dodd, ‘City Soldiers’ – a highly informative exhibit chronicling the military history of Liverpool’s own King’s Regiment, and the Land Transport collection, an astonishing collection of over 200 vehicles including the Lion locomotive (built in 1838) and a carriage from Liverpool’s legendary Overhead Railway.

However, the ‘Wonderous Place’ exhibit on the top floor drew my attention, as it pays homage to Liverpool’s various cultural offerings, both historical and recent.

The most filmed city in the UK outside of London, a section of the exhibit proudly details all the films and television series that have chosen to use Liverpool as their set.

It displays all manner of props, including a cap worn by none other than Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy during the filming of the hit BBC historical crime drama Peaky Blinders, which was shot at various locations in the city.

No exhibit on Liverpool’s culture would be complete without touching on its legendary musical offerings, and the museum proudly displays a wall dedicated to the impressive number of number-one records the city has produced – from The Beatles to Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Atomic Kitten to The Searchers.

Liverpool has spawned its fair share of big hits. (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

The display also touches on Liverpool’s huge sporting achievements, with the public able to browse the rich history of both Liverpool and Everton.

Overall, the visit was a fascinating insight into what made the city what it is, as well as a tour-de-force of Liverpool’s incredible cultural past and tremendous national and international impact.

Theatre

Home to the Empire, Everyman, Royal Court, and more, Liverpool has a thriving theatre scene.

I caught up with Liverpool-based theatre producer and artistic director, Bill Elms, whose credits include Irish Annie’s and Something About George – The George Harrison Story, who told Metro.co.uk: ‘Despite the loss of the Epstein Theatre, which has left a huge void as a midscale receiving house, post-COVID, Liverpool theatre scene is booming, from its studio theatres championing new work to the powerhouse musicals at the Empire Theatre to popular local titles at Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Something About George – The George Harrison Story is just one of the shows to regularly perform in Liverpool. (Picture: David Munn)

‘Boys From The Blackstuff is currently enjoying a sell-out second run at Liverpool’s Royal Court prior to a London transfer, the Everyman celebrates its 60-year anniversary with a whole host of alumni supporting the theatre this year with Alison Steadman, Leanne Best and David Morrissey.

‘But it’s the continuous upcoming talent, new writing and exciting new production companies which offer the real stand performance, which really gives the city hope for the future as a leading cultural centre.’

Getting to Liverpool

For travellers outside of the UK, Liverpool is served by two international airports, the closest of which is Liverpool John Lennon Airport (but with Manchester also within a reasonable travel distance).

Liverpool Lime Street Station is connected to various rail lines across the UK, facilitating multiple train operators and allowing many direct services without the need to change. The Merseyrail network also allows travel between the wider areas of Liverpool and other parts of the north-west, like Chester and Southport.

For drivers, Liverpool City Region is served by the M6, M62, M58 and M56 motorways.

Dining

While Liverpool boasts a wide selection of fantastic eateries (including an excellent selection of independent restaurants and cafes), The Halyard’s own Voyager restaurant is the destination of choice for this visit.

Named after Liverpool poet Felicia Dorothea Hemans’s ‘A Voyager’s Dream of Land’, and continuing the hotel’s nautical theme, Voyager’s aesthetic is simply stunning.

As you walk through the lobby, you are surrounded by comfortable nooks and spaces perfect for discreet cocktails, eventually giving way to a large bar and open-plan dining space.

Judging from the accents on display, the Voyager is a favourite of both locals and tourists – always a promising sign.

Liverpool has some delicious dining options. (Picture: Jon Fellowes)

Predominantly a small-plate restaurant using ingredients from British suppliers, Voyager’s menu is not vast but very well put together. It features between four and six dishes, ‘From the Land’, ‘From the Garden’, and ‘From the Sea’, as well as a delicious selection of appetisers and sides. The wine list is reasonably extensive and surprisingly well-priced, given the exotic surroundings.

The cocktail list makes for excellent reading, and we begin dinner with a twist on the classic French 75 champagne cocktail, which makes for a delicious aperitif.

With between two and three plates recommended per person, we selected the Honey & Soy Pork Belly (£8.50), Crispy Fried Chicken (£8.50), and Salt & Pepper Potato Hash (£6.50), all of which proved to be delicious.

This was followed by the Apple and Cinnamon Choux Bun (£8.50) accompanied by Crème diplomat, Gingernut ice cream, and miso caramel, which, when washed down with a salted Caramel Espresso Martini, proved to be the absolute highlight of the meal.

With attentive service throughout, the experience proved the perfect end to what was an excellent cultural experience in the ‘The Pool of Life’.

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