
These spots put the bold in Bold Street.
Bold Street connects two Liverpool areas, Knowledge Quarter and Georgian Quarter, to the main retail shopping part of the city, however it most certainly shouldn’t be overlooked when getting from A to B. This Liverpool street boasts shops, cafés, bars, restaurants, culture and entertainment all on one long straight road, and honestly it’s hard to resist making a pit stop or even spending a fair few hours here. So you don’t pass this road by in the blink of an eye, check out our guide to all the best places to visit on Bold Street.
1. Bold Street Coffee
But first coffee. Whether you’re on the go, looking for a spot to catch up with friends over brunch or need a space to answer emails, Bold Street Coffee is the one. The café serves up freshly ground coffee and even puppacinos for your pooch as well as delicious doughnuts and a fantastic brunch and lunch menu. If you’re peckish, be sure to try Bold Street Coffee’s signature buoys- brioche buns filled with wonderful breakfast fillings such as egg, sausage, bacon, cheese, avocado, hash brown, scrambled tofu and unbelievable onion jam.
Bold Street Coffee, 89 Bold Street, L1 4HF
2. Maray
Maray is a big favourite with the people of Liverpool hence why it has three branches- Albert Dock, Allerton and Bold Street. The restaurant serves food inspired by the flavours of the Middle East alongside incredible wine and bold, delicious cocktails. Maray uses a number of local suppliers such as beer from Love Lane Brewery and gin by Turncoat Gin. There’s something for everyone on their menu with plenty of meat, fish and veggie options such as aubergine shawarma; lamb kofta; and saffron and pimenton sautéed king prawns. Plus, you can enjoy their weekday lunch deal of one mezze dish and two plates for £15.
Maray, 91 Bold Street, L1 4HF
3. News From Nowhere
Selling books and promoting women’s rights – well, here’s a bookshop that can do both. The iconic Liverpool bookshop on Bold Street, News From Nowhere, has been at the heart of the city’s feminist movement since opening on May Day in 1974. The radical community bookshop and not-for-profit women workers’ collective has an ever-expanding, carefully curated stock with books on history, politics, local travel, poetry, and fiction all found within these walls. If you’re after something to read over a cuppa and want to support a local bookshop in the process, think no more and pop into News From Nowhere.
News From Nowhere, 96 Bold Street, L1 4HY
4. LEAF
LEAF began as a small tea shop run by friends in a Liverpool city centre gallery in 2007, with the goal of bringing quality loos-leaf tea to the city in an intimate and bohemian space. The teashop stocks over 60 rare loose leaf teas from across the globe and has even won Great Taste Awards for several of their blends such as Secret Garden, Autumn Fire, Peppermint and Pure Life Wellness. Their Bold Street branch set in a beautiful Art Deco building was formerly a tea room in the 1920s, a cinema in the late 20th Century and most recently Microzine clothes shop before becoming a teashop, restaurant and events space all in one.
LEAF, 65–67 Bold Street, L1 4EZ
5. St Luke’s Bombed Out Church
For a spot of history and for jaw-dropping photos head up to the top of Bold Street towards the Georgian Quarter to St Luke’s Bombed Out Church (it also has a lovely beer garden). The structure was built between 1811 and 1832 as both a church and concert hall, however it suffered catastrophic damage during the May Blitz of 1941. The large fire that ensued swept through the building, causing its stained glass to burst from within, its roof to collapse, and several of its bells to cascade down the tower to the ground. Amazingly, all that remained standing after the blaze was the church’s exterior stonework, hence the name ‘Bombed Out Church’.
St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, Leece Street, L1 2TR
6. Café Tabac
The little café at the ‘top of the hill’ has been at the heart of Liverpool city centre Bohemian cafe/bar scene for over 40 years. Established in 1974, Café Tabac has always been a hub for the creative residents of Liverpool, attracting artists, actors, singers and performers amongst its varied and colourful clientele. Plus, this little Bold Street café is possibly the only place in Liverpool where you can have breakfast 12 hours a day, seven days a week- who says bacon on toast isn’t an evening meal before a night on the town? Also, be sure to try Café Tabac’s espresso martini.
Café Tabac, 126 Bold Street, L1 4JA
7. Jimmy’s
This three-story iconic premises lies at the head of Bold Street, opposite the Bombed Out Church, and is steeped in musical history. Bar and gig venue Jimmy’s was once the home of the infamous Cabin Club, which operated in their music venue down in the bar’s basement, which now hosts live music and club nights throughout the week. As well as plenty of music, Jimmy’s boasts a restaurant and bar serving all-day brunches (bottomless on Saturdays), their signature BBQ evening menu, Sunday roasts with teapots filled with gravy plus a range of beers, cider and cocktails.
Jimmy’s, 130 Bold Street, L1 4JA
8. Maggie May’s
Some would say Maggie May’s is a right of passage for the full Liverpool experience. This Bold Street café is a great place to head to for a classic bowl of Scouse (Liverpool’s infamous stew) and considered one of the best places to have it. Maggie May’s serves this winter warmer, as well as a fantastic fry-up, at a bargain price and the portions are a decent size too. But the big question is “Are you Team Pickled Red Cabbage or Team Beetroot?” when it comes to your Scouse side.
Maggie May’s, 90 Bold Street, L1 4HY
9. Fat Hippo
New on the street is one of the best burger purveyors up north that is Fat Hippo. The Bold Street branch features their renowned beef burger, PB and Double J, that includes two beef patties, American cheese, chunky peanut butter, bacon jam and smoked chilli jello. And if you’re feeling ultra hungry, they even serve a four-patty beef burger! Fat Hippo is famed for its quirky flavours, which also appear in their tasty starters such as fried crinkle cut pickles, trash browns (deep-fried tater tots, liquid cheese and cajun onion strings) and wachos (waffle fries with classic nacho toppings). If you’re after a hangover cure and you find yourself on Bold Street, Fat Hippo should hopefully ease things.
Fat Hippo, 78 Bold Street, L1 4HR
10. COW
After some new garms? COW on Bold Street offers amazing vintage clothes for all. From leather jackets to dazzling jewellery, this Bold Street vintage shop boasts plenty of shelves and rails to rife through in order to create a new look. Plus, it’s one way to do your bit for the planet and it’s always a win to get pre-loved clothes at a cheaper price.
COW, 15 Bold Street, L1 4DN
11. Ropes & Twines
For all your wine needs there’s Ropes & Twines. Serving speciality coffee and wine, it’s perfect whether you’re after a bottle to take home or to a party, as well as sit down and enjoy a glass or bottle with friends. For a great post-work getaway, hit up this Bold Street wine bar that boasts outdoor seating on warmer days. Sip on their recommended rosé with the sun shining and be transported to the wonderful Mediterranean. The wine bar also hosts tasting experiences and serves up natural and low intervention wines.
Ropes & Twines, 70 Bold Street, L1 4HR
12. Home Bargains
Any Liverpudlian will tell you it’s Home and Bargains not Home Bargains- and they’re not wrong. You can find anything and everything all under one roof here to help spruce things up at home, but on a budget and maybe in there for a little too long. From pillows to paddling pools, candles to containers, you can always rely on this shop to come through with the homeware goods. Even if we accidentally stumble out with more than we intended to go in for…
Home Bargains, 34-36 Bold Street, L1 4LF