Mercy me! A Merseyside & Liverpool Girlie Getaway

July 2009

liverpool_200That evening we met at the fancy new Radisson Plaza Hotel for cocktails before dinner. There is a balcony bar there and if you’re lucky and the weather is fine, you may get what we had that night – a breathtaking sunset over the Irish Sea… After dinner at the Vincent, a couple of friends went off to one of the many night clubs in town and the rest of us had a final cocktail before bed – a Russian Spring Punch; vodka, cassis and champagne. Yes, I know, but hey … we were celebrating!

For more info on Southport & the surrounding area check out the Visit Southport website.

The next day we got the train into Liverpool, 40 minutes away, home of the Beatles and Kim Cattrall, a World-Heritage site, 2008 European Capital of Culture and recently voted in the TOP 3 UK cities in the latest Conde Nast Readers Awards.

There is lots to do in Liverpool and you could easily spend a few days there. We went down to the Albert Dock and wandered around the shops, had a coffee overlooking the old ships and a quick look at the Maritime Museum with its fascinating history of Liverpool emigration and slavery.

Then, giving the Tate Art Gallery a miss as we were cultured out, we got a taxi to one of the best-kept secrets in the city – the wonderful, quirky and delicious Alma Da Cuba restaurant bar. It is SUCH a wonderful and quirky place… To quote their website:

“Set inside the magnificent conversion of the former St. Peter’s Catholic church, Alma de Cuba is an eclectic mix of Cuban, Hispanic and Latin American influences that are enhanced with Liverpool’s great spirit. Winner of Best Bar, Best Restaurant and UK’s Best Venue in 2008 this is a must visit destination with Cuba Libre Thursdays from 5-7pm, Musica en Vivo – live music nights every Thursday, Sunday Service Gospel Brunch with live gospel choir on Sundays and a Carnival atmosphere throughout the weekend with beautiful Brazilian dancers and petal drops every Friday and Saturday night …”

As it was Sunday we had the Gospel Brunch – tasty tapas and salads washed down with a bottle or two of vino. My favourite dishes were the patatas bravas and sticky ‘Old English’ chipolatas. The music and singing were really great and so appropriate to the unusual setting. Plus it attracts people of all ages, both locals and tourists and in my book is simply the best place to eat out in the city. We spent nearly all afternoon taking in the atmosphere and catching up on loads of gossip, before we tottered out into the late afternoon sun to make our way to the station and go our separate ways.

We had only touched the surface of what’s on offer in Liverpool, including all the Beatles attractions, the Walker Art Gallery with its famous pre-Raphaelite collection, the ferry cross the Mersey and so much more … but we’ll be back another time for sure.

For more information about Liverpool events and areas of interest check out the city’s website: Visit Liverpool

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