Insider’s Guide: Jess Heaton (Liverpool)

Image: Fact Liverpool

The city of Liverpool is a place riddled with intrigue. Despite the popular stereotype, it’s one of the friendliest and safest places to go out in the UK and boasting a booming nightlife that includes nationally renowned clubnights Freeze, Chibuku, mUmU and the immortal Yousef presents Circus among them.

It’s that rich clubbing heritage that informs our latest Insider’s Guide, this time wrote by our clubbing correspondent for the city Jess Heaton. Read onto find what

Where do you live and why do you live there?

I live in Liverpool and I’m a third year Graphic Design student and freelance journalist.

What makes the city so special?

There are a number of things that make Liverpool so special. The first is how substantial the creative community is in the city. Tucked away in renovated warehouses, mills and pre-used buildings are some of the most outstanding studios, offices, rehearsal spaces, clubs, bars, cafes and community projects. It's great to see these industrial buildings are being used and loved by people thinking outside the box.

Newest burger joint in town Almost Famous have created a trendy bar and restaurant that wouldn't look out of place on Brick Lane. It's raw, industrial interior has been enhanced with modern furniture, neon signs and a working jukebox. Plus how forward thinking is this… They serve their food in Frisbees. Amazing.

Secondly is the nightlife. Although I'm still scarred from a couple of places I went to during freshers week (wet t-shirt contests and horny teenagers half naked doing obscene things) I think Liverpool offers a wide range of nights that cater to a lot of different interests. Considering the city's size, there’s always a steady wave of new and existing parties going on that keep the nightlife alive. It's a special place all year round but the energy changes when the students come back in September, new residencies appear and the weeknight parties we've missed during the summer come back with new ideas.

Where's your favourite places to eat there?

There are a lot of nice places to eat in Liverpool and Liverpool One shopping centre offers a great selection of restaurants we know and love. Bakchich on Bold St do wonderful Lebanese street food that’s worth checking out. Because I live out of town, I tend to eat at a lot of places out of the city centre. Lark Lane in Aigburth is known for its bars, restaurants and quirky side streets and is a lovely change from the hustle and bustle of town.

The Moon and Pea Cafe does incredible food and it’s always the first place my family wants to go when they come up. It's really tasty! Arabesque which is just a few doors down serve really nice Moroccan dishes like lamb tagines with couscous and sharing platters. Neon Jamon on the student friendly Smithdown Road is also good. They do amazing tapas and the staff are really friendly.

And the best places to go out?

Brooklyn Mixer and Salt Dog Slims on Seel Street are great for pre drinks as they both play decent music and I love Cava for Tequila shots as they have about a million different flavors. Liverpool’s newest warehouse-music venue cross breed; HAUS in the Baltic triangle put on some really good events and they have loads of cool nights coming up this month – I’m really looking forward to going to Freeze to see the Innervisions record label on the 21^st September.

Over the road and taking the crown for biggest and best renovation project is Camp and Furnace. Probably my favorite venue in Liverpool because of its size and overall design. Big electronic events here are always fun, and Food Slam Fridays are fab. I also love Maya for its cocktails and feel good atmosphere, a place I like going to with the girls!

For someone about to come to the city for the first time, what are the three things they must do before the year is out?

If you’re a student… Do fresher’s week. Yes it’s hideous and some of the events you will be forced into, but it’s vital you experience it. It’s character building.

For anyone about to come to the city for the first time I urge you to: Stand in front of the Anglican Cathedral, it’s the most remarkable building in Liverpool in my opinion, its weighty size and height is astounding. Go to an event at Camp and Furnace. Go for a picnic or a walk in Sefton Park, it’s beautiful. Stop in at LEAF on Bold St for an open mic night. And if you think something is missing… Get it organized. Liverpool has a non-stop cycle of new events, promoters and productions. Dare to put your idea forward and make your imprint on the city.

What is the city's greatest hidden secret?

There’s probably a lot of the city I’ve yet to discover but one place that people definitely don’t find straight away is FACT. Not only is it a cinema that shows a lot of the more cooler and interesting films the big Odeon ignores, they do exhibitions and have a great café as well form Leaf. I’m not sure it’s much of a secret but the sooner you get involved when you move there the better!

What is the one bit of advice you would give somebody hitting the city for the first time?

Don't listen to people who talk badly about the city, most of them have never been to Liverpool. And students be savvy when moving into your first house, me and my housemates got done over big time from our landlord so read up on the law, take photographs of every single mark, crack and stain and seek advice from your Student Union when something smells fishy. Literally, as can be the case sometimes!

Want to know more about what to do in Liverpool? Check Jess' month ahead article here.

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