The Jacaranda

This iconic, multi-purpose venue in the centre of Liverpool is just a stone’s throw from the buzz of Bold Street and Seel Street, whilst offering a place to watch exclusive gigs in the small basement, have a cocktail or three in the comfortable ground floor bar, or spin some vinyl in the upstairs record store and coffee shop. A real gem on the scene, The Jacaranda is like no other place in Liverpool. The Beatles history that it has isn’t used to define it like other places that take that easy option at times.

The Vibe

The Jacaranda is one of those places in Liverpool that has a genuine claim to be the most important venue that helped to shape The Beatles. It opened in the late 1950s as a coffee bar by Allan Williams, and The Beatles were frequent punters, used the basement as a rehearsal and performance space, and even redecorated (there are murals here today that were painted by the fab four). However, there is so much more to the Jac than just The Beatles.

Since reopening in the last decade, the three floors have been lovingly looked after, and split into three completely distinct venues. It makes for an interesting and exciting vibe. The ground floor is a bar, with comfortable booths, good music on the jukebox, and a range of craft beers and cocktails. The basement bar plays host to regular live gigs (it can have a real buzz when a band packs out the basement and it feels like a special place as it is so small and sweaty down there). The upstairs is a café and a record store in one. There are listening booths along the front window, with turntables for you to pick up some of the records (that aren’t for sale) on the shelves and listen to your favourites as you have a pint, or a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. There is a genuine love of music running as a thread from the top floor down to the basement, so whether you are popping in during the day to buy a record, down in the basement for a live show, or after a late night drink and great tunes on the ground floor, The Jac is a haven for music-lovers in Liverpool.

The Price

Where do we start, as there is so much on offer at The Jac. The gigs in the basement are often some of the cheapest around, with both local and touring bands playing the grungy basement. Expect to find gigs that are priced under a fiver on regular occasions. The ground floor bar you’ll pay around £4 upwards for lager, beer, cider, and a bit more again for cocktails, but for a city centre bar it isn’t unreasonable. Upstairs in the record store/café there is a wide range of prices for vinyl, with a huge selection of second hand and new records for sale, and those that are just for listening in the bar.