Date Night in Liverpool

Date night in Liverpool 

We all need a little date night or date day every once in a while. Whether it’s with your partner, your bestie, or even a solo date.

You could be a hopeless romantic, or perhaps you prefer something a little less serious and requires more of a competitive edge and usually ends in belly laughs. From luxurious stays to battling it out on the lanes, we’ve got the perfect date in Liverpool for you. 
 

Romantic Date in Liverpool
 

Let’s start with some recommendations for all the lovey doveys. If you’re looking to pull out all the stops, an overnight stay in one of Liverpool's most beautiful hotels is sure to carry the wow factor. 
Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool’s stunning Georgian Quarter is a modern and minimalist hotel with features in all the right places. Rooms have large baths, even larger beds with crisp white sheets. If you want to really treat yourself and your other half, pick the room with the balcony jacuzzi and views across the city. A bottle of fizz and some strawberries and voila! 

There’s also a beautiful spa at Hope Street Hotel which was even voted as UK's Best City Spa in the Good Spa Guide Awards 2023.

Paul Akew’s Art School Restaurant is one of Liverpool City Region’s finest restaurants. Menus are created using the finest seasonal and local ingredients from across the region and North Wales.

Downstairs, underneath the restaurant is the Art School Cellars, a cosy champagne and wine cellar handpicked selection of premium Champagnes, over 300 fine wines, British cheeses, artisan Charcuterie and an extensive cocktail list coupled with fresh bread and small dishes available to order. 

A picnic in the park is a lovely way to spend quality time with whoever your date companion may be. Pack up your goodies and blanket and maybe pick up some fresh snacks from Lark Lane on your way to Sefton Park, some donuts from Doogles or if the suns out pop to Gelato for a waffle, shake or gelato! 

 

First Date 

All the options in this blog would make for an amazing first date, but here are some more simple options if you don’t want to break the bank or go all out on date one! 

So, it’s your first date, and first impressions count. Maybe you want to start the date off with a casual drink in a popular bar. You want somewhere with some music and good vibes, but keep the volume at a mid-level, you need to be able to hear what you're date is saying! 

The Merchant on Slater Street is a good place to start with loads of gins to choose from, a little garden and outdoor seating for the summer and pizza next door. Other great spots include Kazimier Garden, Ropes and Twines and Bam Boo all close by. 

If cocktails or wine isn’t your thing, how about one of Liverpool’s indie coffee shops followed by a walk through the park or along the Waterfront? Bold St Coffee is a favourite in Liverpool, with a shop on Bold Street - next to the Georgian Quarter. Or there’s Bean, Rococo or Little LEAF (for tea lovers) perfectly placed on the Waterfront for a wander. 

If you’d prefer a walk in the park then try the cafe at the Palm House in Sefton Park and finish up with a drink and a bite to eat on Lark Lane?

Mate Date

Valentine’s or GALentines? If you’re looking for a mate date then Liverpool is the place to be. Whether your bestie lives in your pocket or you’re showing your mate around Liverpool for the first time, we recommend starting with a trip to one of Liverpool’s buzzing street food markets, that way you can both eat and drink whatever cuisine you fancy.

Baltic Market, Baltic Triangle - in the heart of Cains Brewery Village and ran by Independent Liverpool, Baltic Market is a massive warehouse, decorated in festoon lighting, disco balls and vibrant graffiti-style art. There are local, independent street food vendors including Thai, meatballs from Liverpool MMA fighter Meatball Molly, freshly-baked pizza, delicious desserts, coffee and more as well as a fully stocked bar. There’s also live music and entertainment at the weekend. 

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Duke Street Market, Ropewalks - Duke Street Market is right in the heart of Liverpool’s bar and restaurant scene in the Ropewalks. The industrial-chic style market is home to 6 kitchens and one independent restaurant, Barnacle on the upper-mezzanine level. The market also has a separate bar serving cocktails, beers, wines and soft drinks.

Renshaw Street Food Market, Georgian Quarter - Just opposite Liverpool’s famous Bombed Out Church, the market has 12 mini world cuisine restaurants. There are funky, neon lights and signs across the walls and a relaxed atmosphere. You can sit in or take away. Choose from Bubble tea, Japanese cuisine, Italian, Gelato, Turkish food, noodles and more. 

Go outdoors 

Bookend your street food with a breath of fresh air! Grab a coffee and head out for a walk. Visit Crosby Beach and say hello to Antony Gormley’s Another Place or hop on the Mersey Ferry and visit New Brighton or West Kirby’s stunning beaches in Wirral.

A boozy catch-up 

Liverpool's nightlife scene is arguably the best in the UK and we’ve got loads of bars to choose from, from speakeasy style, themed, cocktail, classy and everything in between. Pick your poison from our list of the best bars in Liverpool. There's also a section on brunches and boozy brunches in another blog of ours!
 

Fun Date

It’s not all about the candle-lit dinners and fancy date nights, sometimes it’s all about the fun and there’s plenty to do in Liverpool for that alternative date night. 

Competitive edge? Head to Golf Fang for golf with a twist, 18 crazy holes from a giant grabber machine stuffed with plushies, to your own appearance on Jezza Kyle - some holes are not suitable for children and this is an 18+ venue so keep that in mind and don't bring any little people along! There’s a selection of eclectic and fun cocktails to enjoy whilst you complete your round and you can even order them to your hole.

Another place to flex those competitive muscles is Roxy Ballroom. They have 3 venues in Liverpool where you can enjoy shuffleboards, pool, ping-pong, mini basketball and even bowling at Roxy Lanes.

Once all the competition has worked you up an appetite, order yourself some pizza, wings or chicken strips to refuel before round 2! There is a Roxy Ballroom in Cavern Quarter - perfect for Beatles lovers to carry on the fun. There’s Hanover Street, close to the nightlife hotspots on Seel Street and brand-new Roxy Lanes, in the heart of Liverpool ONE. 

To really test you and yours' code-cracking, survival skills try one of Breakout’s escape rooms and work together to crack the codes and break out in one piece. If you manage to escape, head over to NQ64 for some cocktails and continue the competition with some vintage arcade games and retro game consoles. 

If you don't fancy a cocktail and you're still talking to each other after all the code cracking, carry on the day with some board games at Sugar & Dice, Liverpool’s very own board game cafe.

You might not win anything but bragging rights will tide you over until your next date, a bit of friendly competition is always healthy!
 

Brunch Date

Two types of brunches can make the perfect date. The traditional, wholesome brunch that follows or begins a morning walk and the boozy, bottomless brunch that starts the day as you mean to go on. 

For the wholesome…You can’t go wrong with a stack of pancakes, drizzled in golden syrup and dotted with blueberries. If this sounds like a bit if you and your date then head to Moose Coffee on Dale Street or Hope Street for the best American Pancakes and a glass of tangy orange juice. 

The P&D Italian Quarter close to Williamson Square is wowing everyone right now with their incredible pastries, healthy smoothies, coffee and more from a selection of independent Italian eateries that have been working together for 10 years. The experience is now better than ever with the recently rebranded and relaunched quarter. 

If you fancy something a bit more traditional, The Brunch Club on Duke Street is the perfect place to grab a coffee and a full English breakfast whilst watching the world go by. 

For the boozy… Loads of places in Liverpool do boss bottomless brunches. There’s the traditional at the Brunch Club, the extravagant at Masons, Portuguese deliciousness at BoBo and so many other options. To make things easier, we have a blog that narrows down all the options from our in-house expert! 

Cinema Date

If you’re both film fans then a cinema date is a must! Head over to the Odeon in Liverpool ONE for those blockbuster films and then grab a post-movie dinner out on the terrace.

If you fancy an independent film surrounded by some brilliant visual art then FACT on Wood Street is the perfect place for date night. Explore their fascinating exhibition, head upstairs for a relaxing drink at the bar, then enjoy your film!

For something a bit special, The Everyman Cinema on Victoria Street will impress your date. Instead of the usual cinema seats, you will find plush sofas for two and the option to have food and drink ordered to your couch. This is one for those special occasions.
 

Culture Date

If you're both fans of an exhibition, museum, or gallery then a culture date is doable in Liverpool. You can head out for a culture trip and explore Liverpool’s selection of museums and art galleries, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for the day. 

On the Waterfront is the Museum of Liverpool, not only does it tell a brilliant story of Liverpool's past, but it also boasts great views of the Three Graces, definitely a selfie moment!

Over at St George’s Quarter, you will find The World Museum, The Walker Art Gallery and Central Library to explore. Discover the ancient history of Egypt at The World Museum, ponder over some Renaissance masterpieces at The Walker Art Gallery and see the John Moores Painting Prize.

In Wirral, the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight Village houses the finest collection of fine and decorative art. 
 

Dog Walking Date

If you’ve got a pet pooch that would like to join you on your date there are plenty of places that will accommodate you all. 

Crosby Beach is just a 15-minute train ride out of the city centre and is the perfect place for a romantic stroll whilst your canine friends enjoy running around in the sandy open space. Just a little further along the Southport Line is Formby Beach and Pinewoods and wide open space that stretches right up to Ainsdale. 

In New Brighton, a short trip across the River is a canine-friendly coastline, if all the walking (or running) and playing fetch has you peckish, head to Victoria Road where there are loads of dog-friendly eateries to choose from.

Who knew dog walking could be so romantic?
 

Theatre Date 

You can’t go wrong with a trip to the theatre on a date night and lucky enough, Liverpool has some world-class theatres to help you plan for the perfect show. 

Liverpool’s stunning Empire Theatre plays host to travelling West End performances. In 2024 choose from Shrek the Musical (here for Valentine’s Day if that’s what you’re into), Pretty Woman the Musical, James Acaster, Fast Love - A Tribute to George Michael, Echo and the Bunnymen, Madagascar the Musical and loads more! 

The Everyman and Playhouse Theatres have the best in local on-stage and behind-the-scenes talent, in 2024 Everyman welcomes some of the funniest women for Femme De La Femme from January to March and again in April to December (and it's only a fiver!) alongside loads of other shows. 

If you’re looking for a laugh at some proper Scouse humour then head to the Royal Court where Liverpool’s Pete Price Holds Court and this Valentine’s Day why not take your lover or friend to see Haunted Scouse, starring Brookie legend Micky Starke? 

Team the show with a meal at your favourite restaurant and you’re in for a night you won't forget in a hurry. Break a leg! 

There are plenty of things to do in Liverpool regardless of the occasion but these are just a few ideas to help you get the ball rolling and have that great day out, you never know, it might lead to something special...