Liverpool Venues

Here is an extensive list of the venues throughout Liverpool, in alphabetical order.  I've also included the Liverpool In Pictures interactive venue map.  Click on the balloons for further information and of course you can zoom, pan and change the 'view', by using the controls on the map or simply by dragging with your mouse.

Bluecoat Arts Centre

Bluecoat Chambers, School Lane
0151 709 5297
Central Station/city centre buses
Probably the most traditional building in town (18th century, a former Bluecoat school and haunted as well) with the least traditional programme. Here's where to come for the arty stuff: live art, contemporary dance and weird improvised music along with folk, jazz and more. The gallery has cutting edge stuff too.
School Lane is behind Church Street, round the corner from Littlewoods.

 
Access:
Braille signage around the building. Braille and large print versions of brochure available. Wheelchair access to ground floor (ramps). No wheelchair access to Concert Hall, Print Studio, Box Office, Bluecoat office or upper floors. Disabled parking behind the Bluecoat on College Lane.

Bluecoat Display Centre

Bluecoat Chambers, School Lane
0151 709 4014
Central Station/city centre buses
Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5.30pm. Free.
Housed in the same building as the arts centre but you have to go through the garden courtyard (a treat in itself) to get here.
School Lane is behind Church Street, city centre.

Access:
Following a recent refurbishment and modernisation, they are now wheelchair-accessible.

Bluecoat Gallery

Bluecoat Chambers, School Lane
0151 709 5689
Central Station/city centre buses
Open Tues-Sat, 10.30am-5pm. Free.
The Bluecoat has a national reputation as one of the leading contemporary art galleries in the country. The exhibitions complement the arts centre's cutting edge performance programme. Look out for mini-exhibitions in the Window Box, the smallest exhibition space in Liverpool (it's between the bookshop and the café bar, just before you get to the courtyard door).
School Lane is behind Church Street, city centre.

Access:
Braille signage around the building. Braille and large print versions of brochure available. Wheelchair access to Gallery on ground floor (ramps). Disabled parking behind the Bluecoat on College Lane.

Empire Theatre

Lime Street
0870 606 3536
Lime Street Station/city centre buses
A grand building for a bit of a night out, this is part of the Apollo empire and concentrates on the lighter side of entertainment, mostly gigs and musicals but does include occasional opera and ballet.
The Empire is behind Lime Street Station, opposite St George's Hall.

Access:
Access service includes free information and booking service, direct phone line, sign interpreted performances, audio described performances, individual loop systems available, concessions available, online booking service. Contact Viv Richardson, tel: 0151 708 3222; minicom: 0151 708 3255.

Everyman Theatre

Hope Street
0151 709 4776
Central Station (ten minutes uphill walk).
Historically, Liverpool's grassroots rep, now like most places offering a mixture of touring shows and occasional in-house productions. It keeps a young outlook, and you can still expect the occasional gritty or controversial offering. And the Bistro downstairs is great for food and drinks before or after the show.
The Everyman is at the Catholic cathedral end of Hope Street.

Access:
Auditorium space for wheelchairs. Lift at street level linking auditorium and bars. Wheelchair-accessible toilets. Guide dogs welcome. Audio description, touch tours and signed performances offered where possible. Minicom available: 0151 709 0534.

The Lomax

Nation, Wolstenholme Square
0151 707 9977
Liverpool's leading rock venue.

Neptune Theatre

Hanover Street
0151 709 7844
Central Station/city centre buses
A beautiful, intimate and old-fashioned theatre with a surprisingly modern programme that includes theatre, gigs, comedy and kids' shows.
The Neptune is on the corner of Hanover Street and School Lane in the city centre.

Access:
Brochure available in braille or on cassette.The theatre is on the second floor of the building (lots of stairs) and there is no wheelchair access. Infrared sound system available.

Open Eye

Wood Street
0151 709 9460
Central Station, city centre buses
Tues-Fri, 10.30am-5.30pm. Sat, 10.30am-5.00pm. Free.
A small, arty gallery specialising in photography by national and international artists.  Wood Street is in the trendy bit of town between Bold Street and Hanover Street. Lots of bars in the surrounding area.

Access:
The entrance is above street level, but is fitted with an external vertical platform lift. They say it's simple to operate, but staff can help if required. The rest of the gallery is fully accessible to wheelchairs and there are wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Philharmonic Hall

Hope Street
0151 709 3789
Central Station (ten minutes uphill walk).
An elegant 1930s building with the best acoustics in town, home to one of the best orchestras in the country, plus a surprisingly eclectic mixture of shows which includes concerts, gigs and classic films.
The Phil is on the corner of Hope Street and Myrtle Street, a stone's throw from Liverpool's other Phil (a quite famous pub).

Access:
Level access to foyer, box office and main stalls areas. Public phones accessible to wheelchair users. Passenger lifts to all public areas except upper stalls and balcony. Infrared hearing system. Good spaces for wheelchairs and escorts. Accessible toilets in all areas. Fully-trained front of house staff to help if required.

The Picket

Hardman Street
0151 708 5318
Buses: 80, 86
Over the years the Picket has kept its name for its staunch support for local bands. They have regular showcases three nights a week (and the Liverpool Now festival every autumn). The bar has gone a bit upmarket since a refurbishment but the actual venue is still its crowded sweaty old self.
The Picket is at the top of Hardman Street behind the Trade Union centre. Go in the main gates and through the courtyard: the venue is up the stairs.

Access:
Disabled access.

Playhouse Theatre

Williamson Square
Central Station/city centre buses.
The Playhouse, once the country's oldest repertory theatre merged with the Everyman following a series of crises for both theatres over the years. Time will tell how the new relationship works out.
The Playhouse is right in the city centre, just in front of St John's shopping centre and round the corner from Queen Square bus station.

Access:
Auditorium space for wheelchairs. Full wheelchair access via lift. Wheelchair-accessible toilets. Guide dogs welcome. Audio description, touch tours and signed performances offered where possible. Minicom available: 0151 709 0534.

Royal Court

Roe Street
0151 709 4321
Lime Street Station/Central Station/city centre buses.
Some people remember regular plays at the Royal Court but for a generation it's been until recently the only place in town for name bands. The arts establishment might turn up their noses at pop music, but the Court kept things alive for years. And now they're joining the arts establishment, with mixed programming that brings in theatre alongside the gigs.
The Royal Court is round the corner from St John's shopping centre and opposite Queen Square.

Access:
It's an old building, but they're talking to North West Disability Arts Forum about how to help. Contact the box office to discuss your requirements.

Sudley House

Mossley Hill Road, Liverpool 18
0151 724 3245
Mossley Hill Station, 80 bus
Mon-Sat, 10.00am-5.00pm. Sun, 12.00-5.00pm. Free.
Bequeathed to the city by Miss Emma Holt, the last in line of one of Liverpool's old families (although George Melly is a surviving relative). It houses the only surviving Victorian merchant collection in the country that's still in its original location.

Access:
Disabled access to ground floor only.

Tate Liverpool

Albert Dock
0151 702 7400
Recorded information: 0151 702 7402
Tues-Sun, 10.00am-5.50pm (also open Bank Holiday Mondays)
Free, except for special exhibitions.
One of the few things worth visiting the Albert Dock for (the views are brilliant). It's been a bit overshadowed of late by its young London sister, but this was 'Tate modern' before Tate Modern existed and is still the largest modern art gallery in the country outside London.
The Tate is at the Albert Dock, signposted.

Access:
Minicom 0151 702 7400 (please use announcement button). Large print, audio and braille leaflets available. All floors accessible by wheelchair and wheelchairs are available on request. Hearing loop available in most parts of the gallery.

Unity Theatre

Hope Place, off Hope Street
0151 709 4988
Central Station (ten minutes uphill walk).
Flying the flag for fringe theatre for over 21 years. Touring shows from the the best physical theatre companies and the most interesting local talent, plus films, music and exhibitions make this top venue for the adventurously inclined.
Hope Place runs between Hope Street and Pilgrim Street (Unity is just round the corner from the Pilgrim).

Access:
Recently refurbished, the Unity is fully accessible with a ramped entrance and a lift to all floors. Induction loop and infrared transmission are available. The text for their brochure is available in large print on request from the box office.

Walker Art Gallery

William Brown Street
Lime Street Station, city centre buses
0151 478 4199
Free, except for special exhibitions.
One of Liverpool's grand Victorian buildings with a grand Victorian art collection to match. They're good on pre-Raphaelites and if you want more modern stuff there are the prize winners from the biennial John Moores competition.
The Walker is at the top of William Brown Street, just over the road from the Empire and opposite St George's Hall.

Access:
Level entrance access available. Lift available.