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It was a full house for launch night
The Merchant on Slater Street opens its doors, Getintothis’ Vicky Pearson and Martin Waters give the lowdown on Liverpool’s new bar and music venue.
It’s been a while since this particular corner of Slater Street has been the subject of such positive attention and it’s a welcome change as just yards away from the remains of Cream and The Kazimier, The Merchant fights to change the tide as it opens its doors for the first time.
The Merchant advertises itself as ‘Bar, Canteen & Garden’ and it certainly seems to have nailed the brief from our initial inspection. Unsurprisingly to anyone that knows us, it’s the canteen element that ends up earning most of our attention. Felicity’s Kitchen, a revolving kitchen of sorts, will be offering guest residencies to the North Wests best food traders, kicking off tonight with Patty Smith’s burgers and quite ridiculously delicious ‘session’ fries.
Recognising that everybody loves a late night slice Nightcrawler Pizza sets up shop on a permanent basis, taking inspiration from legendary US pizza joints and serving up fresh New York style helpings including a pretty special lamb and mint sauce combination. Keeping with the foodie theme The Merchant will also be hosting the Liverpool International Festival of Bar Snacks & Beer on May 28 and 29 where you can gorge on pork scratchings and scotch eggs galore.
Take a look back at our photographic highlights of Mello Mello
There’s no lack of love for gin in the city at the moment, and the same goes here as a majority of people opt to try out the Gin Goblet which turns out to look as good as it sounds, and tastes as good as it looks. With a sizeable range of over 50 craft and specialty beers available, plus the usual supply of wines, ciders and spirits the bar can cater for everyone’s tastes, including those that fancy trying something new.
With the capability to host live music acts still in the works, The Merchant has looked to DJs to soundtrack their weekends with Uptown DJs taking up a regular Friday night slot and No Fakin following suit with Saturday nights, both of which will run from 9pm til 3am.
Monday nights are reserved for quiz night, but not as you know it, as Jonny Bongos takes the helm, no doubt delivering a healthy dose of dance-offs, mini raves and socially acceptable nudity along the way.
Fancy checking it all out for yourself? Then head over to The Merchant this Sunday (May 1) where XL Recordings Jungle DJ set is free for all, and while you’re there, try the fries.
Sunday 1st May at The Merchant, @XLRECORDINGS Jungle DJ Set
(Free Entry) Full details https://t.co/M0Nla09WA3 pic.twitter.com/EK098OhTsP— The Merchant (@_the_merchant_) April 26, 2016
Pictures by Getintothis’ Martin Waters
- The Merchant open for business
- Rainbow reflection
- Opening night punters queue at the bar
- A good omen for the Merchant?
- The outside space is perfect for summer days
- Enjoying some of the Merchant’s beverages
- Bar, Canteen and Garden
- Happy to enjoy the heated garden
- Just what the Merchant has to offer
- The pizza was a popular choice
- Looking out to the garden
- A well stocked bar is always a winner
- Smiles all round
- Patty Smith’s Session Fries – one to try
- Just what summer ordered
- The Nightcrawler pizza counter was a popular haunt
- The Merchant’s DJ booth
- Nightcrawler Slice Bar
- The Merchant
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