Liverpool is a city that knows how to party, and there is no better place to see this than in its bars. From quiet speakeasy-style hideaways to historic pubs brimming with maritime heritage, and fun night bars where you can go for both a pint and the sense of community it brings. The city of Liverpool is lined with over 200 bars, always happy and open to serve those who love a good drink.
But some have risen as part of the best over the years. They don’t just serve some of the best drinks, but an experience.
5 Best Bars in Liverpool
1. Hobo Kiosk
2. Berry and Rye
3. The Baltic Fleet
4. The Merchant
5. One O’Clock Gun
Best Bars in Liverpool
1. Hobo Kiosk
Unlike most bars that open till late, Hobo Kiosk opens early and parks their beers and closes their doors by 10:00. Except on the weekends when they extend the time for two hours. But that doesn’t stop the bar from being one of the best in the city. Located amongst others in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, the bar stands out from all the other bars. Less like a pub and more like stepping through a doorway into someone’s odd living room.
Part bar, part curiosity shop. The dimly lit treasure room of retro signs, mismatched chairs, weird sculptures, and vintage knick-knacks makes the whole place interesting. But the place didn’t even start out as a bar at all. Its founders, Delia and Tristan Brady-Jacobs, first ran it as a curiosity shop before slowly turning it into what is now called a bohemian micropub. Just the entrance alone with its colorful murals and paintings lets you know that this is a fun place to be. And getting inside is half the fun, you pass through a heavy iron door, down a staircase, past red velvet curtains until you emerge into a cosy, cluttered space that smells of fun.
The drinks list is quite short, but you know a lot of thought went into it. Local craft beers, small-batch gins, interesting wines, and even coffee for those taking it easy. It shies away from blaring music or late-night chaos, but it’s perfect for whiling away an evening in good company. It has also turned into a tiny space for creative gatherings; music, spoken word, and even performances on what’s proudly called Liverpool’s smallest stage.
Hobo’s kiosk is not the place to go if you want to dance or drink till morning. It is a place for settling in with a cold glass of beer, the presence of friends, and maybe a performance or two.
Location: 9 Bridgewater Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Price Range: £5 – £15
2. Berry and Rye Cocktail Bar
Small and incapable of holding less than 50, Berry and Rye do not shout for attention. In fact, it hides in plain sight, in an unmarked shopfront on a Liverpool street, that is actually a popular speakeasy. No sign, no obvious entrance, you just have to know which door to knock on. And even then, there is that moment of hesitation before you are ushered inside.
The space is lit with low, warm light that mimics candlelight and furnished with dark wood. There is a warm hush around the place that is broken only by the quiet murmur of conversation and, if you are lucky, Miles Davis drifting from the speakers. The menus are not menus at all but pages tucked inside hefty red dictionaries, a little eccentric touch that adds to the charm of doing something you shouldn’t.
Housed in what was formerly the notorious nightclub ‘The Sink’, Berry & Rye has left its loud, grungy past behind. It has reinvented itself as a classy speakeasy for those in the know. The focus of the bar is on craftsmanship and great taste. Here, whiskey is king, and their old-fashioned has a reputation as the best in Liverpool. The rest of their collection is a series of classic masterpieces from martinis to bloody marys. If you want a deeper experience, their Old Fashioned Blending sessions and Martini Masterclasses are part history lesson, part skill-building, and you also get to take your own blend home.
It is not just about the drinks, though, at Berry and Rye. There is a sense of care in everything they do, from the way the staff remember your order to the quiet skill with which they mix a Negroni. Live music sometimes becomes a part of the evening, adding to the mood without stealing focus. It is the kind of place you can go to with friends, but also visit with your parents or an older colleague.
Location: 48 Berry Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Price Range: £10 – £30
3. The Baltic Fleet
If you want to drink inside a legitimate piece of Liverpool’s history, The Baltic Fleet is the place. Located on the dock road opposite the Royal Albert Dock, the Grade II-listed pub has been serving pints since the mid-19th century.
The bar was a particular favourite stop for sailors coming back from weeks spent on the sea. Its name actually comes from the crews of Siberian whaling ships who once filled the place, and spent hours in the pub when on land. The stories don’t stop there, though; local lore has it that a network of secret tunnels once ran from the cellar to the dockside and the less respectable corners of the city. Through these tunnels, crews could take care of all their needs without stepping far from their ship. Whether the tales are fact or just good pub gossip, they add to the charm and heritage of a place still full of pride for its past.
Inside, the decor is all warm wood, nautical touches, and the perfect pub mix of cosiness and character. Stripped pine tables, duck egg blue walls, and a log-burning fire make it an easy spot to settle in, while the upstairs offers big windows looking straight out to the docks. The beer selection is also a major point of pride. The Baltic Fleet once brewed its own ales in the cellar and still keeps a rotating line-up of local brews on tap, so even regulars can find something new each week. There is also an accompanying menu of pub grub that is hearty and straight to the point. Pies, stews, and fresh fish that go very well indeed with different kinds of drinks. The Baltic Fleet is one of the best bars to visit in Liverpool if you want both history and good drinks in the same place
Location: 33A Wapping, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Price Range: £5 – £20
4. The Merchant
On the corner of Slater and Parr Street, you will find The Merchant. A sort of bar that is both effortlessly cool and completely unpretentious. By day, it is a sunny spot where you can get an easy pint; by night, a buzzy pre-club launchpad for a bigger night out.
Inside, the look is part industrial, part casual decor; exposed brick walls, and long communal tables, with enough overhead greenery to soften the edges. It is social without being too loud, so you can actually hear the person across from you, a rare feat not really found in many city bars. The drinks list leans towards craft beers from around the UK, a decent line-up of gins, and seasonal cocktails for those who want something more upscale.
However, the Merchant’s real secret weapon is outside, a spacious courtyard garden that becomes an urban oasis when the weather’s playing nice. And then there is the pizza. Nightcrawler Pizza, the in-house kitchen, turns out thin-crust pies that are worth their money. Every so often, a DJ night kicks the energy up a notch, but the vibe here is mostly easygoing. It is a place where friends linger over slices and pints rather than rush to the next venue.
Location: 40 Slater Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Price Range: £15 – £30
5. The One O’Clock Gun
Right on Liverpool’s Pier Head, with the Royal Albert Dock just a short stroll away, The One O’Clock Gun combines maritime history and heritage with waterfront charm. Its name is even a legit nod to the dockside tradition of firing a time signal at 1 p.m. each day. A cue for thousands of workers to break for lunch and sailors to set their watches back in the city’s maritime heyday.
Inside, it is a cosy, wood-panelled space that walks the line between old-school pub comfort and a fresh modern bar. The whole place is easygoing and calm, and particularly nice for a quick post-sightseeing pint or settling in for a few hours with friends. The drinks menu highlights the same balance. A line-up of beers led by a house pale ale brewed in partnership with Liverpool’s Neptune Brewery, a properly poured Guinness, and a creative cocktail list without feeling like a chemistry experiment. There is also a good wine list for wine for those who prefer something more elegant.
The food is classic, hearty pub fare; simple, fresh sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, and snacks that perfectly accompany your pints. But what really gives the place its energy is its event structure by calendar. Live music on Thursday through Sunday, pub quizzes to keep even the locals coming back, and a monthly oyster bar pop-up that adds a little surprise event to the mix.
If you are in Liverpool and on the dockside, the One o’clock bar is a must-visit for any lover of beer and history.
Location: Unit 3a, Britannia Pavilion, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Price Range: £15 – £30
Liverpool has a lot to offer when it comes to good drinks. Its nightlife and alcohol scene is rich, vibrant, and some even rooted in history. The bar life is a must-visit if you are visiting family or friends, or simply there on vacation. Whether you prefer a quiet, intimate speakeasy, quirky, cool pub, or something more thrilling but still decent, there are many options to visit in Liverpool.
