I couldn’t help but be excited when I was asked to choose some hidden gems in Liverpool for Travelodge. This fantastic city has been a part of my whole life and I love it dearly. There are so many things to see whether you are a local or a tourist but I’ve tried to think of things that someone coming and staying for a few days wouldn’t necessarily know about and they happen to be three of my favourite places in the city too.
First stop has to be somewhere for a coffee (or tea for me) and hidden off the beaten track is Central Perk. Liverpool now has two of these ‘FRIENDS’ themed coffee house’s but the original, and my favourite, of the two is in Hatton Gardens. It looks exactly like the coffee shop out of the popular 90’s sitcom and as a bonus also plays Friends episodes on two big televisions. I love their spiced chai latte and the cheesecake also goes down a treat. This one is generally fairly quiet now the second one has opened so chances of getting on the big orange sofa are good, that really is the best way to experience it!
UPDATE: Sadly Central Perk has now closed down but Ameriesko has opened in it’s place and it looks fab, as soon as I’ve tried it out I will let you know!
Next up you might want to see some sights; Liverpool is famous for it’s fantastic museums, galleries and waterfront but nestled inbetween the Walker Art Gallery and World Museum is Liverpool Central Library. It was refurbished a few years ago and the building is amazing, when you walk into the entrance you will pass over the titles of famous books and as you walk through the doors look up and you will see a maze of staircases. The children’s section is always fantastic and usually has something going on of a weekend, we’ve popped in and seen a magic show a few times. The thing I love the most though is the rooftop terrace, every time we go in we’ll take to lift up to the top floor and step out to look over the city. It looks out over St George’s Hall and the Empire Theatre and is a wonderful view.
Finally you have to find somewhere for a good meal. Liverpool certainly isn’t short of places to eat but if you want something a little different Lucha Libre is the place to be. This authentic Mexican restaurant can be found on Wood Street and if you’re willing to take the walk away from the main shopping area you will be treated to some truly wonderful food. Their brunch is particularly good and I think everyone needs to try bacon and churros once in their lifetime! Also the area around here is crammed full of little independent shops and eateries which are always good to explore.
I always think when you visit a new city it is nice to find somewhere away from the main shopping area and tourist attractions as that is when you find some of the most memorable places! These are the places I go back to time and time again, whether I’m in the city with family or friends they never disappoint. You can go away feeling happy that you’ve supported a smaller business or seen something that not everyone does. Hope you enjoy exploring next time you visit Liverpool.
You can also check out this Evolving Cities piece from Travelodge all about how the city has changed over the years and win a stay in Liverpool.
This post was written in collaboration with Travelodge.
22 Comments
Oh I love Liverpool but I can’t believe I have never been to Central Perk. It looks fab! Yes me and my girls love going the Central library – I love the big red bean bags in the children’s section perfect to sit and read the girls a story x
November 21, 2015 at 8:34 pmCentral Perk is lovely, it’s been open for a few years now but not that many people have heard about it, maybe that is part of the beauty of it but I think it is a fab place to visit! xx
November 22, 2015 at 8:05 pmI haven’t been to any of these places! I seriously need to do more exploring in the city, I am working on my hidden gems too so maybe we can explore together some more! I love Mexican food, there is the new Wahaca opening too isn’t there, loads of venues to meet up! xx
November 22, 2015 at 4:24 pmOh I’m looking forward to seeing yours, I love that even though we are all local we can still find places that each other haven’t heard of. It does sound like we need a Liverpool meet up going on, I see Sarah is keen too 🙂 xx
November 22, 2015 at 8:07 pmHayley I love this post, I have never been out in Liverpool Center it looks amazing, I want bacon and churros they looks so tasty, and omg Central Perk I need to go there Friends has to be my all time favourite sit com in fact we need to have a little event there that would be amazing , we could all sit on the sofa and drink coffee or wine !!! See I am getting a bit giddy about it ha ha x
November 22, 2015 at 5:23 pmIt really sounds like we need a Liverpool meet up, that would be fantastic! I bet Karen and Julia know some amazing spots too! Oh you would love Central Perk, it is so much fun…I could sit in there all day and drink coffee and watch Friends! xx
November 22, 2015 at 8:09 pmThis is brilliant Hayley.
I love Liverpool too – back in the days that Liverpool was named Capital of Culture I was a travel professional and spent a lot of time there training.
I sang on the stage at the Caven Club and went around the mersey on the Duck boat… but was also had dance lessons at the Lucha Libre – I was terrible but it was so much fun! x
November 22, 2015 at 8:56 pmThat’s amazing Katie!! What fantastic experiences, we will have to chat more about them next time we meet up, I’d love to know what you sang 🙂 xx
November 22, 2015 at 9:27 pmHayley its so weird that I just read this, because just yesterday I said to Nathan – lets take the kids on a little weekend break to somewhere cool in the UK like Liverpool haha and now I most definitely want to, it looks so great for a family break. How cool is that cafe?? I love your pics, gorgeous as always x
November 22, 2015 at 9:01 pmOh you definitely should Mary! I really think you would love it, there is so much to see and so much of it is free and reasonable. All the museums and galleries, they have so much going on for kids and the cathedrals are beautiful. If you are going check out Independent Liverpool on Facebook for places to eat and drink that are a little different. I think your family would love it there xx
November 22, 2015 at 9:32 pmI love Liverpool. It holds such a special place in my family’s heart. It is where my parents met. And my dad used to sail from the Albert Docks when he was in the merchant navy. At one point, he was in one of the videos played in the maritime museum. But I love these little gems that you have given. Central Perk looks so much fun and the library is stunning. It is always good to get recommendations from a local before you visit anywhere. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
November 22, 2015 at 11:24 pmOh I just love it when a place means so much to you because it hold stories for you and your family. I hope we get to see each other soon so you can tell me more about it, sounds like quite a romantic tale 🙂 xx
November 23, 2015 at 2:48 pmOh I do miss Liverpool and this reminds me why. So cultured and cool. Such a great city full of top people 🙂 Great post and that food at the end!!! YUMMY! xxxxx
November 23, 2015 at 10:27 amYou need to come back!!! Lol, only for a visit 🙂 It’s such a homely place for a big city I think xxx
November 23, 2015 at 2:49 pmWow I think I need to visit the Friends themed cafe. I had no idea they had one. I used to go a lot to Liverpool for work but I’m always near the Albert Docks.
November 23, 2015 at 10:31 amThe Albert Dock is gorgeous but there is so much to explore…the Friends cafe is so hidden away, you would never just stumble across it. That’s the beauty of it I think 🙂
November 23, 2015 at 2:49 pmI love Lucha Libre but have still never ever been to Central Perk, really need to do it. Would love to sit on that sofa and chew the fat!
November 23, 2015 at 9:49 pmI could stay there all day and just watch the Friends episode…and eat cheesecake 🙂
November 26, 2015 at 2:43 pmI still need to go to Lucha Libre!! I love Liverpool. Hoping to spend more time there with my littlest next spring/summer before he starts school. Sometimes, I think it’s so far away but in reality, I can be at the Albert Dock in 40 minutes.
November 24, 2015 at 9:23 pmI think you would really love Lucha Libre Rachel, so much fun in there. There is so much to see in Liverpool I think it’s just covering the ground when you’ve got a little one in tow but Lucas does surprisingly well xx
November 26, 2015 at 2:50 pmOh this looks like such a gorgeous break! Liverpool is on my “must visit soon list” and you’ve made me more sure of it. The Friends coffee shop made my 18 year old self YELP with JOY!!
November 27, 2015 at 6:12 amOh you definitely should Sarah, I bet the twins would love it too. Central Perk is so much fun. There is so much to see, we always miss the great places right on our doorstep don’t we? xx
November 27, 2015 at 1:42 pm