20 Merseyside bars and restaurants that have opened in 2024

Liverpool has a thriving food and drink scene, with exciting new venues opening up on a regular basis. And 2024 has been a bumper year for openings, with new concepts arriving in the city as well as old favourites launching new locations.

While there have sadly been quite a few closures this year in Liverpool's hospitality scene, some exciting new venues have opened their doors. From fine-dining restaurants to karaoke bars, there are still plenty of options for those wanting to dine and drink. The fallout from rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis has decimated a large portion of the country's bars and restaurants, and Liverpool is no different. Long-established and reputable businesses such as Roski have been forced to shut down.

But the currently adverse hospitality environment hasn't deterred some daring entrepreneurs from bringing something new to the city. The ECHO has put together a list of some of the new bars and restaurants in Liverpool so far this year.

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Elif

Elif opened its newest location in July following a major refurbishment of the Grade-II* listed Parr Bank building on Castle Street. The building was previously home to NatWest Bank but was left derelict from 2017 until earlier this year.

A towering botanical feature acts as the venue's centrepiece, surrounded by leather chairs and marble tables, while several delicate hanging lights decorate the overhead dining area.

Elif, which has a branch on Bold Street as well as sites on Lark Lane and near Childwall Fiveways, is known for its extensive menu featuring a variety of hot and cold mezzes and starters, authentic dishes like biber kozleme, kebabs, guvec, Turkish moussaka, fish options, mixed grill and vegetarian selection.

Penelope's

Penelope's opened a new location on Rotten Row, Southport, in July. Penelope's is a sister site to popular foodie spots Emily's Formby and Liverpool city centre's Brunch and Cocktail Club. It came after Emily's Formby became a breakfast and brunch hotspot in north Merseyside, with rave reviews flooding in for the venue on Brows Lane. After opening its booking page, the team behind the venue said how the website for the restaurant and bar had crashed in the process.

Penelope's has a botanical theme with what it describes as "wild and exotic" plant life.

Pastille

Independent business Pastille Bakery opened on Gibraltar Row in May and often welcomes lengthy queues of pastry fans.

Pastille Bakery was set up in the kitchen of founder Jamie Heffey's home. With the help of his partner and mum, the three took their baked goods to markets and pop-ups where they noticed demand was high. Pastille Bakery opened its first city centre shop shortly after.

The Hightown Inn

The Hightown Inn recently reopened after being taken over by one of the region's most respected chefs. The Hightown Pub has been rebranded as The Hightown Inn following its purchase by Graffiti Spirits Group after its sudden closure earlier this year.

The pub, on Lower Alt Road, bid farewell with "a heavy heart" on Friday, March 8, after its owners said they were forced to close due to the worsening climate of the hospitality industry and the cost of living crisis. However, GSG, the team behind Duke Street Market and NORD, has now taken over and put its Executive Chef Daniel Heffy at the helm.

Following news of the pub's comeback, Daniel spoke to the ECHO in June. He said: "[The founders of GSG] have always dreamed of adding an elevated pub establishment to their portfolio. When the opportunity to acquire the Hightown Pub arose, it was the perfect location to turn that dream into a reality!"

The Hightown Inn's menu features seasonal dishes that celebrate fresh, local ingredients, accompanied by simple, well-crafted cocktails.

Derek's

A popular New York-inspired sandwich shop with sites on Allerton Road and in Crosby launched a new location earlier this month. Derek's launched its latest venue on Berry Street in Liverpool city centre on November 11.

The lunch spot was first opened by friends Ethan Woodroofe and Adam Taylor after the former visited the Big Apple and felt that "there was nowhere in Liverpool to get a real sandwich packed with proper ingredients like we’d had in New York". Using what little savings the pair had, they launched their first shop in March 2021.

Ethan said: "The first day we naively predicted 30 customers, if we were lucky. Cut to 11am on opening day and over 100 turned up to support us and queued down the road whilst we tried to keep a brave face and act like we had it all under control.

"The next day we got in at 5am and cut enough pickles and cold cuts to feed a village. Since that first day, [our customers have] supported us unconditionally, waited in the long queues, had the sad Derek’s moment when their favourite hoagie has sold out, been excited for new subs, worn our merch with pride and told friends about us."

St Peters Tavern

The former Alma De Cuba venue recently reopened as St Peter's Tavern. The Seel Street site was closed for months after The 1936 Pub Company announced it was taking the site over.

The business is now operating as a "great big pub" offering a range of cask ales, craft beers and stouts, along with hot and cold pies. The venue is split over four levels boasting three bars. St Peter's Tavern also includes two beer gardens and TVs for broadcasting live sporting events.

Mary Jane King, speaking for the pub company, said: "The response to our renovations of The Vines and most recently The Monro on Duke Street has been hugely gratifying. We embarked on our pub ‘mission’ over two years ago with the establishment of the Red Lion on Slater Street and then The Green Man on Lark Lane.

"People seemed very happy with what we were attempting to do - put pubs back as front and central as the essential social spaces in an historic city. Brewers, local and beyond, have also been delighted that we played such a significant role in reviving cask ale in Liverpool."

Mary Jane added: "The early success of our pub project gave us the confidence to open The White Hart and Engineer pubs on Hope Street and has ultimately brought us to the point where we can take on our greatest challenge to date - the revival of the former Alma de Cuba, at the site if the 250-year-old St Peter’s Church." St Peter's Taven opens daily from Wednesday, November 13. Take a first look inside the pub below.

"People seemed very happy with what we were attempting to do - put pubs back as front and central as the essential social spaces in an historic city. Brewers, local and beyond, have also been delighted that we played such a significant role in reviving cask ale in Liverpool."

Mary Jane added: "The early success of our pub project gave us the confidence to open The White Hart and Engineer pubs on Hope Street and has ultimately brought us to the point where we can take on our greatest challenge to date - the revival of the former Alma de Cuba, at the site if the 250-year-old St Peter’s Church." St Peter's Taven opens daily from Wednesday, November 13. Take a first look inside the pub below.

Vetch

Great British Menu winning chef Dan McGeorge opened Vetch on Liverpool's Hope Street back in spring. Now, the restaurant has earned national recognition, having been awarded two AA rosettes for culinary excellence. Despite this, Dan says he "is not content" with two and wants to be "even better".

Twenty-six-seat fine-dining restaurant Vetch offers a variety of seasonally inspired menus which showcase modern British cooking with a mix of Nordic and Asian flavours. Each dish is created using ingredients from small-scale artisan producers in the North West.

The AA Rosette scheme, first introduced in 1956, is a nationwide programme that assesses the quality of food served in restaurants and hotels. Its aim is to celebrate successful cooking at different levels across the UK, championing culinary excellence and rewarding commitment to high-quality customer experience.

Every year, the AA's inspectors travel around the UK tasting food before confirming their Rosette recommendations which are usually announced twice a year in January and September. Since the Rosette scheme was established, it has celebrated successful cooking at different levels across the UK. Only about 10% of restaurants nationwide meet the standard required to receive one Rosette or more.

Pixel Bar

An empty city centre building has been transformed into a brand new bar. Pixel Bar, on Wood Street, was previously home to Belgica, a Belgian beer bar.

Opening in late 2021, the venue was split across two floors, aiming to emulate the relaxed feel of Brussels beer bar upstairs, with a mediaeval atmosphere downstairs.

However, it closed in April 2023. Pixel, a brand new video game bar has taken over the space. The owners want the new concept to appeal to everyone from die-hard gamers to complete novices. Inside there is a strong neon colour scheme, with video game consoles centred within booths for customers to play on.

Pixel Bar’s other two sites, located in Leeds and Manchester, offer customers gaming-themed cocktails as well as the opportunity to compete against friends at games such as Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat and many more.

Gloria's

A new retro disco club named Gloria's opened earlier this year on Back Berry Street. Launching in September, Gloria's wants to be the city's "hotspot of all things disco and pop".

Gloria's moved into the premises which was previously the late-night cocktail and rock and roll bar MOJO. Guests can first enjoy drinks in the cocktail lounge before Gloria's transforms into what owners consider to be "Liverpool’s best dance club" in the evening.

The venue includes a bright pink floor, a large central DJ stage and an "immersive light-up bar". The club's "throwback" aesthetic is complete with striking colours, neon lights and disco balls hanging above the dancefloor.

The venue is open weekly every Wednesday to Sunday until late, and until 5am at weekends.

The Ivy

The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie has now opened on Castle Street. The former Bank of England building has been fully renovated with gold bar tops, emerald floors and plants in every corner.

The entrance sports a grand foyer with an open brickwork garden area and trees as its centrepiece. The venue is decorated floor to ceiling with framed artwork, plant-printed wallpaper, hanging glass chandeliers, ornate lamps and fauna perched on covings.

The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie houses a private dining room seating 14, while the main restaurant will have the capacity to welcome more than 180 diners. The owners say the venue will offer diners something unique every day of the week, from lobster linguine to classic steak cuts.

Gran Cafe

Authentic Italian coffee shop Gran Caffè opened a south Liverpool site on Lark Lane this year. The business venture is the brainchild of brothers Paolo and Donato Cillo.

Renowned as a pasticceria - which translates to cake and pastry shop - Gran Caffè has been serving its delicacies, including its speciality croissants and doughnuts, to the people of Merseyside for over 10 years.

Voyagers

Voyagers Restaurant and Bar quickly became one of the top-rated venues in Liverpool. The business opened on the ground floor of Parr Street's Halyard Hotel in April.

In September, Voyagers set a goal to break into the top 100 of Tripadvisor's top-reviewed restaurants, as it was rated in 187th place. The venue is now listed 11th out of 1,820 venues across the city region with 74 five-star 'excellent' reviews and five four-star 'very good' reviews.

A recent review from Tripadvisor user LorraineL8974QS said: "Great food loved the small plates which we shared on the table. Relaxed environment, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable. Fab night and many thanks to Oliver for the attentive service!"

Daffodil

A new floating restaurant, Daffodil, has arrived on the waterfront. The new dining space exists within a former Mersey ferry that has undergone a drastic refurbishment.

For more than six decades, the MV Royal Daffodil took thousands of passengers across the river separating Liverpool and the Wirral before being decommissioned and falling into disrepair. The Daffodil has arrived at its mooring point within Canning Dock, leased from Canal and River Trust.

The ship's focal point, a 126-cover restaurant, is located on the vessel's main deck. The Promenade bar area, which has been completely refurbished, remains on the upper deck. The team has also confirmed a Wheelhouse mini-museum exhibit, dedicated to the history of the Mersey Ferries, is still in the pipeline, pending funding. Daffodil's restaurant and bar opens on December 9.

Small Town Boy

A cosy little coffee shop which recently opened in Liverpool city centre might just be one of Merseyside's smallest cafes - and customers are loving the quirky new venue. Small Town Boy on Maryland Street in the Georgian Quarter is run by neighbouring restaurant Free State Kitchen (FSK), a city centre institution which has been delighting diners for years. And FSK's excellent reputation for food and drinks has made it's way over to the opposite side of the street in newly opened Small Town Boy.

The shop only opened its doors last month but it's already getting a lot of attention on social media for its speciality coffee and mouth-watering pastries, which have seen it branded one of the city's most exciting new openings. The premises where Small Town Boy is based was formerly The Coach House pub, which took the site over after the closure of another pub called Hard Times and Misery.

Formerly known as Liverpool's 'smallest' pub, the unique little building is a tiny gem located just off the bustling Hope Street. Set over two storeys, the capacity inside is limited, which gives it an especially cosy atmosphere. With a fire welcoming coffee fans on the first floor, it's establishing itself as an ideal autumn haunt for chilly mornings.

Flight Club

Flight Club opened in August in Liverpool ONE's Chavasse Park. The venue is based around darts with "immersive games" and technology that automatically scores by tracking every dart.

Flight Club moved into the 11,000 sq ft space formerly home to pink paradise restaurant Boujee, holding a total guest capacity of 400. The venue boasts 16 semi-private oches arranged over two floors, two bars, a ground-floor outdoor terrace, a mezzanine seating area overlooking all the action below and a first-floor balcony looking out towards Chavasse Park.

Lost

Opening in the summer on Seel Street, "Lost" is the sister bar of Lost in Lark Lane. Inside, however, the new venue has a different vibe with Moroccan and European inspired décor and a mix of a sports bar and live lounge feel.

Manager Hannah told the ECHO: "It's a beautifully decorated bar which we specifically created so it offered people somewhere to go where they can chill out, put their feet up and have a good time whether that's just soaking up the atmosphere, sports and music offerings."

The bar also has a licence to open until 5am. Lost offers live sports and live music from local talent, aiming to give those starting out in the industry a stage to perform on for free.

Petit Cafe

Petit Café opened on Lark Lane this year, serving everything from coffee and cocktails to cheese and wine, as well as live jazz from Wednesday-Sunday every week. Situated on the corner of Lucerne Street and Lark Lane, the new bar has a green and gold frontage that's become synonymous with Petit's other venues on Berry Street and Allerton Road.

The new venue opened its doors for the first time at 6.30pm on Thursday, April 25, just six weeks after it announced it was taking over the former home of Bistro Noir on the street. Petit Café Du Coin first opened on Berry Street in 2017 and has established itself as a popular bar in the city.

The bar's social media manager Alex Simpkins said Petit hopes to bring a "cosy Parisian atmosphere" to Lark Lane with their new "neighbourhood café", which is open from 12pm-12am Sunday-Thursday and 12pm-1am on Friday and Saturday.

The White Hart and The Engineer

Back at the beginning of 2024, a new venue inspired by the "golden era" of pubs opened on Hope Street.

The White Hart took more than 10 weeks to complete, transforming the building into a "Dickensian snug pub", with a range of taxidermy animals displayed around the venue including ferrets, goats and deer heads.

The venue is connected to another pub, The Engineer, which visitors can also access via Arrad Street. It opts for a "post-apocalyptic" aesthetic set in the mid-20th century, with exposed brickwork, worn woodwork, decorative items from that period and a dark, cold interior made with intent.

BOXPARK

BOXPARK Liverpool opened in the Baltic Triangle in April, with a full-blown festival launch.

The historic Canning Hall has been transformed into a dining hall and events space set over the 21,000 sq. ft ground floor, a small internal mezzanine, and a 5,500 sq. ft external terrace. The project cost £5m and acts as the first BOXPARK to open outside of London.

Focussing on emerging and independent street food businesses from Liverpool and the surrounding areas, the eight kitchens and one kiosk at BOXPARK Liverpool offer an array of cuisines from across the globe.