Awesome music, international cuisine and breathtaking landscapes. That’s the Liverpool the world loves. But there is so much more to it. Liverpool’s influential culture and identity are showcased through a myriad of venues spread all over the city. Do you want to know what’s on in Liverpool? Check out the best venues in Liverpool to immerse yourself in this city’s captivating character.
Anfield Stadium
This. Is. Anfield. Is there any football fan who hasn’t felt goosebumps when hearing those words on TV during a UEFA Champions League match or even in a video game? Home of Liverpool FC, the Anfield Stadium is iconic. Watching a game here is an unforgettable experience. From supporters singing “You’ll never walk alone” to the proximity to the players, everything is designed for the audience to have the time of their life – even if you’re not a Red’s fan.
M&S Bank Arena
Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Beyoncé are just some of the top names that have performed at the M&S Bank Arena since its opening in 2008. Besides live music, the venue also hosts comedy performances and sporting events. It also boasts a range of dining options influenced by the city’s renowned docklands. You must find out what’s on in Liverpool’s most loved arena.
Empire Theatre
Featuring a stunning neoclassical façade, the Empire Theatre is an attraction itself. It has the largest two-tier auditorium in the country, with 2,348 seats. Louis XVI style dominates the interior decoration. It boasts many interesting decorative features, including carved elephant caryatids. The Theatre is a Grade II building listed on the National Heritage List for England.
Royal Court Theatre
A nautical theme permeates the Royal Court Theatre, illustrating Liverpool’s maritime heritage. This style is particularly displayed in the basement lounge, an area modelled on the Cunard liner Queen Mary. Its importance to Liverpool can be seen from the list of artists who performed here: The Smiths, Rage Against the Machine, R.E.M., Iron Maiden, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, U2 and George Michael.
Liverpool Olympia
Few venues in the world can boast of being so versatile as Liverpool Olympia. This Grade II listed building hosts all sorts of activities, including boxing fights, dance performances, music concerts and even wrestling events. It was, however, built as an indoor circus and variety theatre. Back in the 1910s, a sophisticated system of pulleys and wheel mechanisms lifted live animals from the basement to the stage, awing the audience.
When finding out what’s on in Liverpool, you’ll surely be attracted by one of these venues. There’s no doubt you’ll have a great time, regardless of whether you come for their architecture or to see a live performance.