The new additions to Liverpool's food and drink scene

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 Alma de Cuba and 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.

Vetch

Opening on Hope Street earlier this spring, Vetch is the creation of Liverpool-born chef and Great British Menu winner Dan McGeorge. The 26-seat fine dining restaurant 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 restaurant was recently awarded two AA rosettes for culinary excellence.

Pixel Bar

Pixel, a brand new video game bar on Wood Street, opened earlier this month. The owners have described it as a "fun, relaxed bar" that appeals to everyone from die-hard gamers to complete novices.

Pixel Bar offers customers gaming-themed cocktails as well as the opportunity to compete against friends at games such as Mario Kart, Mortal Kombat and many more. There is a happy hour every day until 9pm. There will also be student discounts and an exclusive menu for those working in the hospitality and gaming industries.

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.

Exchange Bar

Exchange Bar, an outdoor bar located in Exchange Flags, has proven a popular venue since opening in the summer. The bar has described itself as “your new local” with alcohol, food, fun and live music.

Exchange Flags is a popular thoroughfare in Liverpool linking Tithebarn Street to Liverpool Town Hall and Castle Street. The square includes several offices and restaurants including tapas venue El Gato Negro.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate opened on Old Hall Street in Liverpool city centre in April. Located in the old William Hill unit, the healthy brunch and juice bar offers fruit bowls, juices and smoothies. Pomegranate's founder, Joanna Jones, was also the owner of Blackberry Grove in New Brighton which was once named the best independent restaurant in the UK.

Joanna admitted preparations didn't go as smoothly as she hoped which led to delays in opening. She told the ECHO at the time: "We have had a bit of a nightmare with different things throughout the process but we are only looking forward now.

"We are starting with a limited menu and will add more and more as we find our feet. The new team have been fantastic - we are all genuinely excited about offering something totally new to the city.”

Hi Kitty

Hi Kitty opened its first city centre venue on Berry Street in spring. The business draws close inspiration from the Japanese character and mascot Hello Kitty, sharing a strikingly similar image of the world-famous cat.

Hi Kitty already had three locations across Merseyside - Wallasey, Rice Lane and Old Swan. The newly opened Berry Street site is decked out with bright Instagram-ready pink decor, cute branding insignia and kitsch interiors.

The restaurant serves up junk-food classics such as folded pizza, burgers, shakes, waffles and wings, available for dining in or takeaway. Child-friendly menus are available alongside craft burgers and a lengthy dessert menu.

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.