15 secret bars in Liverpool that you have to visit

Liverpool is full of famous attractions, but it also features tonnes of hidden bars loved by those in the know. With freshers week upon us, many students visiting the city for the first time will be on the lookout for the hidden gems that Liverpool has to offer. The ECHO have compiled a list of some of the lesser known bars in the city centre perfect for a quiet drink.

Many of these can be described as a speakeasy. This is a venue that replicates the illicit bars that emerged in the United States of America during Prohibition, a period where alcohol sales were illegal.

Many are tucked in little known alleyways in the city centre. Common features include a great drinks list and a secret twist, pretending to be something else or just being plain difficult to locate. With secret phone numbers, passwords and hidden doors, these are the places that take a bit more work to find.

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The Winter Snug

The Winter Snug is hidden away within another city centre restaurant, Free State Kitchen. The Winter Snug is one for the winter months, transforming the restaurant’s beer garden for the festive season.

Inside, it is a cosy indoor winter wonderland based inside a traditional Mongolian yurt. The Snug offers a unique - and fully insulated - experience, where guests can gaze up at the stars through the skylight.

The Winter Snug, which fits around 30 people, is decked out with long tables with fur covered benches, cosy blankets to wrap up in, and stunning fairy lights.

The bar is only available during the winter season, and is open from 5pm on Thursday and Fridays, and from 2pm at weekends. It can be found at 1 Maryland Street, L1 9DE.

Ex-Directory

This tucked away secret bar is based around a red telephone box. If you are lucky enough to have the phone number for Ex-Directory, you can make a booking anytime from Thursday to Sunday when it’s open.

The phone box leads to an underground bar, but only if you have a booking - without it the telephone box will refuse you entry. It is table service only and it’s wise to book in advance. When it’s full, it’s full. Ex-Directory is located on 8 Vernon Street, L2 2AY.

Berry and Rye

Like whiskey, blues, jazz and gin? You may have found your new favourite place. Tucked away on Berry Street, there is no sign above the door and no indication that it even exists.

It’s one of those word of mouth places, where a mate will take you but you’ll never remember quite which door you went through. Think thick velvet curtains, big wooden tables lit by twinkling candles and cocktails that’ll leave you reeling and also wanting more.

It’s table service, and the menu comes in an old leather bound book. It’s open 5pm-late seven nights a week and it has a strict no bookings policy. Berry and Rye is located on 48 Berry Street, L1 4JQ.

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Up above Salt Dog Slims is this hidden gem, only accessed with a secret code. You have to have a code to get in through the electronic door but it’s worth the trouble, with a huge selection of cocktails.

Go early enough and you can grab one of the huge booths. From there, you can sip your cocktails in comfort. It's located on 79 Seel Street, L1 4BB.

The Oracle

The Oracle is a small cocktail bar with magic at its heart. Those who visit will witness magicians making their way around the tables with a series of acts designed to thrill and excite. Formerly based on Duke Street, it is now based at 83 Seel Street, L1 5AG.

Goodness Gracious Roof Garden

So this bar isn’t secret but it’s definitely a hidden gem. The outdoor bar is up on the eighth floor of of West Africa House. With the height comes beautiful views of Liverpool. It’s particularly great in the summer when you can sit back in the sun and toast to the Liver Birds. The address is West Africa House, 25 Water Street, L2 0RG

Jenny’s Bar

Not exactly a secret bar, but you have to know where to look to find it. Formerly Jenny’s seafood restaurant, this is the sister bar to Berry & Rye.

A speakeasy on one side, through a velvet curtain it’s a private party with a disco twist on Fenwick Street. There’s also a Whisky shop just inside the doorway, with spirits, liqueurs and bitters, everything you’ll need to make your cocktail. Its motto of ‘Shop, Drink, Learn’ could not be more apt. The address is Old Ropery, Fenwick Street, L2 7NT.

The Brass Monkey

This cocktail bar and kitchen is hidden in plain sight in Liverpool city centre. Blink and you’ll miss it. Brass Monkey is definitely a ‘must go to’ bar, even if it’s just to sip away on a cocktail while swinging on the swing seats on offer. Its located on 35 School Lane, L1 3DA.

Tailors

Described as a “secret agent bar”, Tailors is located at the heart of Liverpool’s business district but is missed by many passers-by. It has a secret door that can only be accessed with a specific password if you've made a booking.

Operating primarily as a restaurant, it has capacity for just 50 people inside. Its windows are covered to prevent shoppers mistakenly requesting suits, given the name of the business. Tailors can be found on 11 Old Hall Street, L3 9HT.

Little Hardware

The Rapid Hardware store was a staple of Liverpool for many years. In recent years it was transformed as a cafe simply called Hardware, but the owners had space downstairs and decided to convert into a secret bar.

Little Hardware is a laid-back venue, and pays homage to the venue’s history with an immersive experience. It can be found on Cropper Street, on L1 1DB, just off Bold Street.

Whisky and Water

Whisky Water opened in the Blackstock Market earlier this year. The intimate bar claims to boast the widest selection of whiskies outside London, with 320 different Scotches, world whiskies, bourbons and rare finds - all available by the dram.

The bar also features two secret rooms. The first, accessed through a hidden entrance, promises to transport guests back to the Prohibition era with classic cocktails and a 1920s Speakeasy ambience. The second is a basement jazz bar for ticketed jazz events and live music. It can be found at Blackstock Market, 15 Blackstock St, L3 6ER.

City Vaults

City Vaults is located underground, and lives up to its speakeasy label. The 1920s themed bar specialises in cocktails, and also hosts live music and DJ nights weekly. The address is 14a Cook Street, L2 9QU.

Blush

Blush is a visible presence on Seel Street with its colourful exterior. However, you might not realise it's actually a rooftop bar. Upstairs there is a spacious terrace with a retractable roof. You’ll have to make sure you plan your visit, as it is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Its exact address is 43 Seel Street, L1 4AZ.

Queens Wine Bar and Bistro

Queen Avenue is a hidden gem in itself. The alleyway is tucked between a hotel and restaurant, and looks like a street straight from a Harry Potter film. Queens Wine Bar and Bistro therefore is the perfect place for a quiet wine and high-quality food. Both the food and drinks menu change depending on the season. The address is 8-10 Queen Ave, L2 4TX.

Manolo

According to Manolo's website, it is Liverpool's "best kept secret". The speakeasy is an intimidate Caribbean inspired cocktail lounge and late night bar. It's located on 41 Slater Street, L1 4BX.