A giant rooftop concept bar opens in Liverpool

A vast rooftop bar promising hard liquor, real fires and fake plants has opened in Liverpool City Centre.

A giant rooftop bar has opened in Liverpool

The Roof Project embraces a gritty urban feel, championing American counterculture and a “F*cked up take on the American dream,” and is positioned as the hipper, younger brother to the main venue on the floors below.

A giant rooftop concept bar opens in Liverpool

The “backstairs” venue is “behind the bowling alley” and is accessible from Gradwell Street. It is located overlooking Wolstenholme Square.

Influenced by auto shops, truck stops, and mid-west trailer parks, The Roof Project flexes these across food, drink, and music.

Open to the elements with a retractable canopy plus heaters and fire pits for after dark, The Roof Project seats 300 with rough-hewn wood tables, industrial seating, and private areas to its exterior in the ‘Sheds,’ which can be reserved for groups and come complete with tyre swings, salvaged decor, and giant bumper sticker artwork.

Adjacent to a variety of rooftop games, including cornhole and beer pong, the Sheds also house a number of pop-up street kitchens.

The Roof Project launches with three food vendors offering eats almost straight off a tailgate-party parking lot.

Pit Stop is all about ‘Proper Smoked Meats’ and is the brainchild of local chef Ben Gorry and his business partners Matt Keenan and Jay Riley, who are usually found hitting the road, personally catering for rock bands and celeb artists.

Highlights on the menu are the Central Texas-style Brisket Bun, smoked for 18-hours at Pit Stop’s own smokery and served deconstructed with slaw, along with a half rack of smoked Baby Back Ribs, with home-made Tennessee Whiskey sauce, crispy salad and charred lemon.

Pit Stop classics include the Rockin’ Mac ’n’ Cheese crammed with Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese and Rock N Rogue Cauli Wings, perfect with a side of Dirty Corn or Cowboy Beans.

Goldies Pizza Pies have a menu of 16-inch New York style pizzas featuring Fat Sam’s Grand Slam – a fiery mix of Pepperoni, N’Duja & Jalapeños and the Aime Leon Pie, which combines Mozzarella, Goats Cheese, Caramelised Onions and Herb Oil. All pizzas are sold in full rounds or by the slice with plenty of dips.

The guys from Smaaashd are bringing amazing patty burgers including their top-selling 7oz-er served classic style with shedded lettuce, caramelised onions, pickles and burger sauce on a Sesame seed bun.

Also on the menu is a Buffalo Chicken Burger, Halloumi Burger and Classic Dog. Sides include Corn Dogs, Chicken Tenders and Frickles, insanely moreish deep-fried Pickles – just add a frosty Pabst Blue Ribbon for pickle ’n beer nirvana.

The iconic all-American PBR Lager sits quite rightly in Most Wanted section of The Roof Project’s Drinks Menu, along with a lethally sounding home-made Blood Orangecello, and ’Dr Pepper’ – Corona and Disaronno (weird, but it works.)

Another take on a can from our childhood lives on the Cocktail menu – ‘Not Lilt’ blends Aluna Peach and Pomelo Coconut Rum, Mango, Pineapple and Ting. And in an ode to the legendary Honky Tonk Saloon Skinny Dennis in Brooklyn, the Skinny Guinness mixes Bacardi Spiced, Lucky Sod, Espresso, Sugar and Cream.

Flavours of Frozen Margaritas with a base of Patrón Silver, Cointreau and Lime are switched up on a weekly basis with whatever takes the team’s fancy – Watermelon? Apple? Peach? Who knows – but when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Patrón Silver also dominates a punchy Tequila menu which will make everyone smile, from the Classic Marg to Tommy’s with Agave and Lime, a zesty Paloma and the Picante with a little heat and spice.

As for groups (or the super thirsty), sharers on the One for You, One for Me menu include Aperol Spritz, Picante and Engine Gin served with Fever-Tree Mediterranean.

So of course you need a great soundtrack to put against all of this. Channelling all this Lo-Fi calls for the street-level or rather roof-level realness of early Hip Hop and R&B, with DJs from 7.00pm on Fridays and back-to-back DJs from 3.00pm on Saturdays.

Talking about the new look space, The Roof Project spokesperson Tess Swerdlow said:

“The Roof has really had a glow-up for the coming summer months, with a brand new look and feel – it’s grassroots and edgier, with stateside urban thing going on. We’ve created the perfect place when the sun is scorching and the streets are hot, but the drinks are cold and the tunes are just right. Come for the food ‘n drink, but stay for the atmosphere!”

Open all week, The Roof Project will also bring a programme of events to Ropewalks, including Street Food Parties, Supper clubs, Bedsheet Cinema Nights, Thrift Sales, Collaborations and more.

The Roof Project launches Thursday 6 April and is open Monday-Wednesday (weather dependant,) Thursday & Friday from 5pm and Saturday & Sunday from 12pm

Entry is Free, however advance booking is highly recommended for group tables and private areas, and can be made via The Roof Project Instagram @theroofliverpool