Things to do in Liverpool

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I had lots of reasons to visit Liverpool: my grandmother is originally from the city and my dad religiously supported the football team when he was younger. More obviously, in 2008 Liverpool was recognised as the European Culture capital and the abundance of art and music throughout the city is immediately noticeable. There is a real lack of press coverage about this destination and I felt it was my duty to blog about Merseyside. I always intended to visit whilst spending three years at Manchester University, but never got round to it so I was delighted to have the chance to travel up north and investigate. Often considered in the shadow of its neighbouring city, Manchester, I wanted to visit and discover the unique places that represent this city’s character and culture.

To Stay

Hard Day’s Night Hotel – there is no escaping that Liverpool is the Beatles’ hometown and where they gained worldwide fame. This hotel is a tribute to the renowned boyband with quotes and photos adding colour and spirit to the otherwise corporate-style hotel. Centrally located and very comfortable, HDN Hotel caters for guests young and old, business and pleasure.

Hope Street Hotel – this beautifully designed boutique hotel has been fashioned from The London Carriage Works building which was built in the 1860s in the style of a Venetian Palazzo. The design and décor is sophisticated and chic, making use of the majestic pine beams and natural materials. There is also a great restaurant on site if you can’t be bothered to venture out.

To Eat

Camp & Furnace – This impressively huge venue was once the Baltic Triangle’s engine room and has now been transformed into a hip and happening music and food venue. We went along on a Saturday evening when the weekly Meatmarket disco and dining carve-up was in full swing.

Slims Pork Chop Express – the ultimate weekend brunch hang-out, we devoured the popular waffles with buttermilk chicken and maple syrup.

Salt House Bacaro – This civilised restaurant was recommended by numerous Liverpool locals. A warm and welcoming restaurant inspired by the eateries of Venice this eatery serves tasty tapas-style Italian food. Go for the £12.50 lunch menu.

Delifonseca – So much more than a deli, this Liverpool institution serves great and generous lunches. Try the herby ‘Drunken Chicken’ or the indulgent Chicken and Chorizo burger, accompany with a carafe of carefully chosen wine and a homemade brownie to finish.

To Drink Daytime

Bold Street Coffee – undoubtedly the best coffee in Liverpool. Bold Street kicked off the cool artisan coffee craze in this city and produces deliciously creamy coffee using the high quality ‘Has Been’ beans.

Leaf – an afternoon tea hotspot, choose a delicate speciality loose tea and relax. I tried a variety of black tea that was very soothing with a comforting buttery flavour.

Duke Street Espresso Bar – Trained up by the Bold Street team, Duke Street is of a similar ilk. Ideally located close to the shops it is the perfect place to grab a caffeine kick when the shopping fatigue hits.

To Drink Nighttime

Berry & Rye – a tiny trendsetter cocktail bar with plenty of style and substance. A scruffy plain black door leads to a magical exclusive bar serving innovative drinks made with precision and care. Sit at the bar to see the mixologists at work.

81 Ltd – My favourite cocktail bar in Liverpool, 81 Ltd is craftily hidden upstairs from Salt Dog Slim’s, only accessible with a door code by text message from the bar staff. Aside from the exciting speakeasy vibe, the barmen here really know their stuff conjuring up immaculate drinks. The brilliant Jake made us two enchanting cocktails: El Presidente and Captain Monkey’s Tail Curler.

El Bandito – A basement tequileria inspired by Mexico, tucked away beneath Santa Chupitos bar. This is a sanctuary for cocktail fans who like tasty Tequila-based drinks.

Jenny’s Bar – Run by the Berry & Rye crew this cocktail bar is housed in the legendary Jenny’s Seafood Restaurant on Fenwick Street, and is easily missed. The clever bartender create seasonal cocktails to please even the fussiest crowds.

To Shop

Utility – A brightly coloured mix of contemporary furniture, lighting and gifts… it is easy to spend hours in here.

Cow & Co – A tiny little café and design store with a carefully curated selection of items from socks to coffee cups. I wanted everything on the selves, including the stuff that wasn’t for sale.

Pillbox Vintage Fair – Head upstairs in Leaf on Sundays to find the Pillbox Vintage Fair. There are some fab outfits available at bargain prices, fill up a small bag for £15 and spend the rest of the weekend dressing up.

To Do

Beauty Bazaar – this luxury beauty retreat is a must on the itinerary of any girl visiting Liverpool. Get prepped and preened from head to toe and leave Liverpool feeling fresh and rejuvenated.

Beatles Museum – Learn the facts and stories behind the most famous boy band of all time. This clever underground museum has recreated the Cavern club, recording studio, and café where the Beatles spent so much of their early days. Leave feeling full of love and admiration for this great band.

To See

Tate Liverpool – This art gallery displays British and international modern and contemporary art, and hosts a range of exciting exhibitions and events. I was pleased to tick off the final Tate from my list, as I have now been to all four. Tate Liverpool is currently showing the ‘Transmitting Andy Warhol’ show.

Museum of Liverpool – A museum dedicated to the history and culture of Merseyside from football to music. Definitely worth visiting to understand an overview of this interesting city.

FACT – Liverpool’s Foundation for Art and Creative Technology is a progressive mix of new media and arthouse exhibitions. You can also visit the cinema here to see the latest films.

Many thanks to the Liverpool Tourist Board for their help with this trip.

Kempinski Spa, Munich

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Kempinski Vier Jahreszeiten, Munich is found on Maximilianstraße, one of the city’s four royal avenues along with the Brienner Straße, the Ludwigstraße and the Prinzregentenstraße. This luxury five-star hotel was built in 1858 and belongs to the Kempinski chain and is also part of the prestigious Leading Small Hotels of the World group. After entering through the grand regal entrance, we were directed towards the lifts weaving our way through the smartly dressed guests.

The Kempinski Spa is hidden within the depths of the hotel, with inconspicuous signposting and little corridor lighting. Bizarrely the reception desk is situated in the main swimming pool room, I immediately got the impression they were lacking in space. It is certainly a boutique spa with small changing rooms and only a few treatment rooms. However they utilise the space well, with sun loungers and a tiny bar area giving variety for visitors.

The team here offer a large range of treatments, which are carefully and thoughtfully chosen to ensure the needs of all guests are met. I was amazed to learn about the HydraFacial options, a high tech treatment which works miracles on troubled skin. This spa was the first hotel spa in Europe to offer the HydraFacial, evidence of their forward-thinking approach. Other spa treatments focus on the seasons: massages and facials specially designed for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

We tried two of the body massages between us, the detoxifying Spring in Your Step for me, and more traditional Classic Massage for my friend. The classic body massage is well suited to male guests who are in need of a relaxing treatment without the faff. Using richly moisturising oils the massage calms every muscle in the body leaving you feeling lighter and brighter. I was delighted to be trying a more specialised massage… using a brushing technique, the body is stimulated and revitalised. Kathrin was one of the best therapists I have met in a long time, stopping frequently to check the pressure on each area of my body and ensuring that the massage was tailored to my needs. This massage particularly works on the lymphatic system to eliminate toxins and impurities from the body. The dry brushing is designed to awaken a sluggish system before the muscles are nourished and soothed with an oil-based massage. Kathrin worked hard on my upper back and neck to iron out my tension and knots, and left me feeling relieved and in a state of total relaxation.

Hot tea and a quiet nap by the pool completed our time at the Kempinski Spa. Considering my first impressions of this unusual spa, I found the treatments to be memorably beneficial, and the staff here definitely proved  that this is not just another hotel spa, but one which deserves to be acknowledged in its own right.

More information on the Kempinski spa here.

Many thanks to the Munich Tourist Board for their help with this trip.

Smoking Goat, Soho

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There are waves of cuisine fashion in London, recently Peruvian has been popular, and now there’s another trend for Thai. Smoking Goat is the latest “it” venue, found at the unpopular end of Denmark Street, it is characterised by the long queue of hipsters waiting outside. Noisy, crowded and dark, you have to be really keen to try the food to put up with the chaotic conditions. The team have recently extended opening hours so you can eat from 5pm, and having arrived at 6pm we were safely in our seats when the 6.30 rush came. We were rubbing shoulders with a pair of chefs who were gratefully enjoying every plate whilst critiquing the latest London restaurant openings. One of them was talking excitedly about his soon-to-open Middle Eastern restaurant – who knows maybe this will be the next cuisine to catch on.

Smoking Goat offers sticky, spicy and saucy barbecued meat and fish, impossible to eat with any dignity but absolutely, addictively delicious. Having researched the critics’ favourites before arriving, I knew what I wanted without even seeing the menu. We started with the unmissable Fish Sauce Wings and the Coal Roast Aubergine Salad; priced at £6 each, these are small plates which can act as starters. Coated thickly in a crispy aromatic casing, the chicken wings were our favourite dish of the night. The meat inside was tender and succulent while the outer layer was cooked to crunchy perfection, the pile of wings were then slathered in sticky sweet sauce. The gloopy, gooey, soft-baked aubergine was a delight, subtly flavoured and dressed with herbs, I was appreciative to have a break from the meat feast.

For main course, diners only have three choices to ponder over, of which the Whole Cornish Chilli Crab with aromatic herbs, roasted chilli, palm sugar, fresh coconut cream, hot mint and salted curry leaves is fast becoming the restaurant speciality and blogger favourite. Arriving fully shelled in a bowl coated in sauce you will be given an assortment of tools and then be expected to just get on with it! My friend looked up slightly despairingly after five minutes of cracking, poking and licking. Needless to say he kept going for a while longer, addicted to the spiced coconut goodness and fleshy crab meat. I opted for the Slow Roast Duck Legs, though Smoked Lamb Ribs only narrowly missed out. The duck was slightly dry but with a lovely crispy edge, you can dunk it in the jaew dipping sauce for a bit of moisture and a kick of spice.

The drinks menu is definitely not an afterthought with a fine selection of unique craft beers and intelligent wine choices. Smoking Goat doesn’t do desserts, there is thankfully no over-sweet sticky rice and mango here, and you shouldn’t need it after the savoury feast.

When I got home I stank of spice and still felt vaguely sticky… this is not a restaurant for the faint-hearted but boy does the food taste good. My advice? Once you have been designated a table, try to sit back and go with the flow, chances are in two weeks time it will be even more impossible to get a table at London’s new Thai concept, so enjoy the mayhem while you are in the midst of it.

Follow the Smoking Goat team on Twitter here to hear more.