Lost city centre club which was ahead of its time is to be transformed

A Liverpool club that was said to be ahead of its time is to be transformed.

Garlands, a trailblazing venue in the city’s Pride Quarter, was a place known for pushing boundaries on the nightlife scene. The club quickly achieved legendary status after it opened in 1993 on Eberle Street - becoming synonymous with taking risks with extreme entertainment and being a safe space for the queer community.

The first after-hours gay club in Liverpool, it welcomed an army of visitors from Merseyside and across the country for over two decades, hosting a huge line-up of DJs, as well as several famous faces.

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After being a firm feature on the club scene for around 25 years, it closed its doors for good in 2019. Now, a new sports bar, opening in the former Garlands, aims to put the iconic Eberle Street "back on the map".

Bar 8 joins sister site Elysium Nightclub in taking over the space nestled at the top of the yellow brick road and is set to open this weekend. Pledging to provide an “unforgettable experience for sports enthusiasts and revellers alike”, the sports bar is aiming to turn sports viewing into full-on events.

One of the venue’s co-owners told the ECHO: “Bar 8 aims to capture the essence of camaraderie and excitement that surrounds sporting events.

“We’re thrilled to contribute to the revival of Eberle Street as a vibrant destination in the city. We’ve witnessed the magic of Elysium since its inception in 2023, and with Bar 8 now in the picture, we’re doubling down on our commitment to deliver exceptional experiences. Whether it’s sports, events, or club nights, we’re dedicated to putting Eberle Street back on the map.”

Named in honour of Emile Heskey’s shirt number and owners’ relationship with the former England and Liverpool FC star, Bar 8 wants to redefine sports viewing as immersive events.

With the Euros kicking off just after its launch, the bar is offering unlimited beer for just £30 during tournament matches with DJ Sean Halliwell providing the tunes after all England matches.

Garlands continues to offer events in the form of club nights at Camp and Furnace in the Baltic Triangle.

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