Parr Street Studio

This bar-​cum-​studio-​cum-​restaurant-​cum-​hotel is a complete hidden treasure. I most recently went here to the leaving do of a close friend who was going trekking around the Americas (lucky sod). Her boyfriend’s friend is a DJ and wanted to play a goodbye set. No problem, said the good people at Parr Street Studio, but you’ll have to go on after the launch even for a new EP from a local indie band. Though initially reticent this ended up being one of the triumphs of the night as the guests to my friends leaving party enjoyed and were exposed to the new band, and the guests of the launch event enjoyed the DJ set of my friend. It was a really great evening. The staff couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful and the atmosphere of the place was exactly right — the wood clad walls and leather seating gave it an intimate feel but, with high ceilings, there never a feeling that more space was needed.
Apparently the food here is meant to be excellent too so I will absolutely have to make another pilgrimage soon.

Heed my words and heed them well — drinking skinfulls of tasty booze on a schoolnight isn’t just a BAD idea, but it will also lead to you waking up the next morning feeling as though your kidneys are trying to kick their way through your back in some weird kind of hostile takeover scenario. However, if you’re a decidedly un-​sensible person who isn’t scared of the idea of hangovers, then you’ll love slipping into Studio 2 at Parr Street for a late night drink.
Situated in what was Studio 2 of the ‘world famous’ (does every Liverpudlian have to say that whenever they’re talking about this place in case they’re uncerimoniously chucked into the Mersey?) Parr Street Studios, this is a stylish bar which, when I visited it, was filled with young professionals sipping wine (or — as I saw on one table — taking tea) whilst watching a young chanteuse sing her heart out. It was definitely what I would presume that having a late night lock in a recording studio would be like — but with more cupcakes, less grumpy sound engineers and nicer toilets.
Studio 2 at Parr Street also wins brownie points from my end for being possibly the best smelling bar I’ve ever visited. When I walked through its decidedly stylish doors, I was hit with the scent of mulled wine and apples which made me swoon something rotten. Seriously, other bars take note — why can’t you all smell this good?
I certainly intend to pay Studio 2 a visit again soon in the near future — preferably not on a school night though. Oof.

I knew it was about to be a strange night we had planned to have a few drinks & maybe see some live music. wenormally head to Hardman street. when we arrived it was complete darkness some sort of power cut? so we took a walk towards seal street. walking down Parr street we noticed a poster on the door of the studio TJ & Murphy I have seen these guys play. so in we went WOW what a surprise, WOW what a venue. we where greeted by a lovely polite young lady behind the bar & the prices where more than reasonable, we took a seat in the plush surrounds & where treated to TJ &Murphy playing acoustic music as only they can. they played 2 full sets & looked & sounded at home. & we where made to feel at home. we took a flyer from our table with the dates of the next gigs & we will be there.
this is the best bar our fine city has to offer.

I have been here with friends and colleagues, and it’s a very classy, relaxing place where you often get live performances from local musicians.
There is a wide range of drinks available, especially impressive given how small the place actually is. There is also a room you can privately hire with a big table like a boardroom. You’re also able to order food although this is rather pricey.
The place is generally full of local students from LIPA and from local musicians and their hangers-​on. It gets quite full quite early on the popular nights; it’s worth getting there early to get some space/​a seat. Most notable local artist is Kaya, who regularly hosts there, both performing herself and having others contribute.

I stumbled upon this new chique bar last week and although flyers say it’s for over 30s I felt very comfortable being an early twenty-​something as most of the people there seemed to be my age. After speaking to the very friendly manager he explained that under 30s are more than welcome, but he will be running a strict door policy for the dress code.
The bar is located in what was «Studio 2» of the world famous Parr Street Studios, where the likes of Coldplay, Take That, Barry Manilow, Spice Girls, Echo & The Bunnymen and Diana Ross have all recorded. The main room serves as a large seating/​standing area with space for live bands to perform. Two of the old drum rooms still retain many of their original features, one filled with bean bags, and the other made into a nouveau gothic style dinning room. The bar service area is in what was the recording engineers suite with a large window looking out into main room.
The bar prices are very reasonable (pint of premium lager and small glass of Merlot came to just over £6) for a chique bar like this. The staff are very friendly and with the promise of live music every Saturday I can see this venue quickly becoming «the place» to go and have a chilled sociable drink.
As well as it’s role as a bar, Studio2 also serve breakfast from 7am to noon. The menu (
) has every ranging from a full «organic» English, to omelette. I haven’t tried the food here, but with the catering side of the business being run by the brains behind the food at Alma De Cuba I have every faith that it’ll be of their high standard at yet again very reasonable prices.
I would highly recommend, if I could give 6 stars I would!

How cool is that! Staying in a recording studio! :-) Of course I hung out in the bar to see if there were any Slebs but although there were some people discussing deals and stuff, I didn’t recognise anyone :-(
The room was very modern and funky, with a wall mounted flat screen telly, a pod shower with all the jets, and the biggest bean bag in the WORLD! The carpet in the hallway was so thick I sank a good 3 inches when I stepped out of the lift (which was an industrial one you had to manually open and shut).
There is only one floor with a few rooms on, so you feel kind of exclusive. There is parking but you have to OK it with them I went on the train last time and walked here. There are a few bars and restaurants nearby, but I ate in the hotel which was pretty good! There is no breakfast though so go around the corner, there are cafes aplenty! I am off again in September.
Phot is from the web site, I hope that’s ok :-)