City guides: Liverpool

Students have for years flocked to this historic city, tempted by its nightlife, culture and relative affordability, not to mention the famous passion and wit of its inhabitants

Bars and clubs

Liverpool offers a great night out, with bars, pubs and clubs catering for all tastes.

The most popular areas for students tend to be those around Hardman Street and Seel Street, while Concert Square, which is a little less student friendly, also has a range of drinkeries.

Highlights in and around Seel Street include:

• Heebie Jeebies - popular establishment with a basement club and upstairs bar and courtyard. DJs spin retro classics, Northern Soul, chart indie and much more in between;
• Mojo - one big dancefloor, where punters dance to rock 'n' roll through the ages, and an extensive drinks menu;
• Santa Chupitos - trendy cocktail bar that has the feel of a raucous house party;
• Salt Dog Slims - hip hangout serving bottled world lagers, cocktails, hot dogs and its unique steins - one-litre tankards of lager;
• Shipping Forecast - ambient alehouse with retro country house-style décor.

If you find near Hardman Street, look out for:

• Bumper - popular indie club that stays open until 4am;
• Leaf - arty tea shop/bar;
• The Magnet - late-night drinking den with an eclectic range of gig and DJ nights;
• The Flute - popular student bargain boozer.

Some popular bars and clubs in Concert Square include:

• Baa Bar - less student friendly than other bars on this list, but offers cheap bottles and shooters for those with one eye on their bank balance;
• Bar Ca Va - tequila bar serving an array of flavoured shots for little more than a couple of pounds each;
• The Krazy House - a divisive Liverpool institution. On the first floor you’ll find heavy metal/rock music, on the second you'll hear indie, and on the third you’ll get chart tunes.

Shopping

Thanks to Liverpool One, the shopping complex housing more than 140 stores and 20 bars and restaurants, there are ample opportunities for a spot of retail therapy.

And that's before you head up Church Street, where there are more big retailers to peruse, and Bold Street, home of smaller, more niche shops. If this is more your style, a visit the bohemian boutiques of Lark Lane is a must.

Eating out

Foodies in Liverpool are spoilt for choice. Student favourites include Kimo's, where you can tuck into a range of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and African dishes without breaking the bank, and cool veggie café The Egg.

But don't just limit yourself to student haunts - many other restaurants have prime menus for those looking to save the pennies.

For example, Olive Restaurant offers 40% off food all year round when you join their Dining Club and book online, except in January when you can get a 50% discount.

What's more, the all-you-can eat Red Hot World Buffet is great if you don't know what you fancy - you can choose from Indian, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican and Japanese menus, or all six if you're hungry.

Entertainment

 

A city that is synonymous with music is always going to have a good cultural offering, and Liverpool doesn't disappoint.

Fans of The Beatles have plenty of opportunities to learn more about the city's most famous export at The Beatles Story, Cavern Club or on the array of tours that show you the places that inspired them.

If you prefer something a little more contemporary, there are plenty of music venues of varying sizes brimming with eclectic acts from the local area and beyond. For your more intimate gigs, try the Kazimier or Zanzibar, and for the bigger acts head to the Echo Arena.

Fancy learning something new? The Museum of Liverpool could be for you if you want to know more about the history of the city, while art lovers should take a stroll around the Walker Art Gallery. The World Museum is also very popular, housing exhibitions from the natural and ancient worlds.

Alternatively, you could always get the popcorn in and go and see a film. If you want to catch the latest blockbuster, the ODEON at Liverpool One is the place to go, complete with its own IMAX cinema.

You can also see a range of new films at the popular Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, known by its catchier name FACT. This cinema comes into its own when showing indie or art house flicks.

Student accommodation

Smithdown Road, Wavertree, is the veritable student hub of the city. Second years and above tend to gravitate here after living in halls of residence, which can be found dotted across the city. Rents can range from £55 - £80 per person per week for typical student houses.

Kensington is also popular, providing a range of student accommodation that is often a bit more affordable than Smithdown Road.

However, if you want to stay in the city centre, there are numerous privately owned halls on offer, such as Unite's Grand Central or Cosmopolitan Student Homes' North Western Hall.

Top three places to see

• Anfield/Goodison stadiums - depending on your allegiance!
• Anthony Gormley's Another Place - spectacular sculptures of life-size figures on Crosby beach.
• Albert Dock - stroll down to the waterfront and enjoy the many eateries, bars and Grade I-listed buildings.