The Bluecoat

Always a good place to visit in the pool. Good wholesome food and memories to go with it. Also a band. What more could you ask for

A community based art haven, that even though has a Primark opposite could never lose it’s glow and it’s unique atmosphere.
I have many memories of The Bluecoat from hot summer days to winter filled nights, The Bluecoat is one of those places that you automatically feel at ease in.
Its exhibitions are of a high standard and seem to be constantly changing and moving with the art industry, it’s courtyards are beautifully, rustic, but still cheekily modern.
Of course the array of independent shops that you come across just before the front entrance help The Bluecoat to become more entertaining and can certainly poach people in who aren’t seeking out an art based environment.
I have been to The Bluecoat to drink, to eat, to learn, to meet friends, boyfriends, family members, colleagues, to find out new opportunities, but also to simply be and feel in the most genuine place in liverpool.

Opened as a charity school the same year Blackbeard was killed (1718) the Bluecoat Chambers is the oldest surviving building in central Liverpool. The Blackbeard reference isn’t relevant in the slightest I just though it was cool, although the school’s founder was a sea captain so there may just be a link (there isn’t).
Everything about the building’s exterior is impressive. Its recognisable façade, olde worlde cobblestones and tranquil courtyards make it one of town’s more pleasant edifices. It’s just a shame the inside is one of Liverpool’s most tedious wastes of concrete drabness. Blank walls staring with dead silence at exhibitions grazing on the wrong side of insipid are all you can find here. The last impressive installation I found here was a room totally filled with red balloons that bounced and came alive if you nudged even one of them. Watching little kids run through the hundreds of leaping balloons was inspiring, especially when they crashed blindly into the walls. It was amazing. It was also about twelve years ago now.
Since then I’ve returned many a time, hoping to find something that yanks the oxygen from my lungs and hurls it into the stratosphere. Last time I checked, I’m still breathing. You lose, Bluecoat Chambers.

The arts centre is well located just opposite Liverpool One so if you are heading to town to do some shopping then Bluecoats is within easy reach. Once you have made it past all the cafes, you might find some of the arts, heritage and cultural businesses. The gallery has been likened to a concrete box which is so unfortunate in such a fascinating building. There is plenty happening in the many galleries, performances, literature, debates, festivals and workshops. The range of unusual retailers ensures you are going to find some unique items. There is currently an exhibition of ceramic pottery and sculptures in the display centre.

Wow, nearly 300 years old this, the oldest building in LIverpool city centre really does stand out. With the nature and history of the building the interior is unique and spacious as you can imagine, and the space is used well to showcase some of the most talented artists from across the UK.
I’m no art critic but I do love food and the bistro upstairs I definitely approved of. I was pleasantly surprised by the wide selection of food available here. With everything cooked in house and from locally sourced ingredients the extensive menu provides a diverse range of high quality foods for lunchtime and dinner. If you are there you must try their grilled fish of the day as I did. It was delicious and is poached directly from the boats in Fleetwood. If you aren’t a fish person I did notice they had a nice selection of pasta dishes which no doubt I’ll be trying next time.
Blue coat is a must visit destination for all Liverpool city centre day visitors, whether fans of art or good food.

Housed in Liverpool city centre’s oldest building, the Bluecoat showcases a contemporrary programme of exhibitions and events across all creative disciplines including visual art, music, literature, danec and live art. The Bluecoat nurtures new talent by providing studio spaces for artists within a unique creative community. There are also free children’s activities in the Hub and Galleries every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm-​4pm.
The grade 1 listed building provides a unique historic backdrop of the galleries, garden, performance spaces and upstairs bistro.
This place is a pleasant place for a relaxing afternoon and would strongly attract the more older generation. Entrance is free which is a bonus.

From an art point of view, The Bluecoat Chambers is marginally less interesting than Liverpool’s two major galleries, the Walker and Tate. I’m not sure whether the gallery specialises in emerging talent or student exhibitions but many of the pieces have a ‘work in progress’ feel to them. However, you can’t let it be said that the Bluecoat doesn’t give anything back as its new multi-​million pound facelift is being used as studio space for artists, craft shops, cafes, activity days for families and amateur artists and the courtyard is frequently home to arts and crafts fairs.
However, the outside garden is a different world. Clean, new and well structured, the Bluecoat gardens has a very Zen feel to it. Sitting with a coffee under the shade of one of the trees overhead it is hard to believe that you are only a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of the new Liverpool 1 complex.

If there’s one thing I love about Liverpool, it’s the fact that this city knows what to do with its buildings, disused or otherwise. What used to be a private school is now The Bluecoat Gallery, an arts centre dedicated to creativity and craft, exhibits and gifts. There’s somewhere to sip coffee, munch some snacks and while away the hours, there’s a Global Studio project space for the high profile and constantly changing exhibits, and there are even activities you yourself can get involved in too.
Here, you will find theatre productions, installations and craft workshops to soothe your cultured soul. Book clubs, knitting groups, you name it, they have it, and my friend came away from here with the most delightful silver ring handcrafted by the jewellers here. Yep, as well as art and drama they have independent retailers here selling their wares. One thing I find particularly endearing about The Bluecoat, and it’s a daft thing I know, but the uniforms the staff wear are so cute. They sport T-​shirts that either say ‘I work at The Bluecoat’ or ‘I volunteer at The Bluecoat’ and specific ones for the café staff workers too. It’s an adorable little idea and the staff always look comfortable too.
A little maze of floors and separate buildings, The Bluecoat is just begging to be explored. There’s so much going on here in the next few months that I implore you to pick up a leaflet or get on the website and keep track. It’s pretty darn awesome.

A beautiful Grade 1 listed building at the heart of the city centre, the Bluecoat is Liverpool’s most ambitious and multi-​disciplined arts centre. It’s also the city’s most stylish after a multi-​million pound refurbishment and redevelopment programme a few years ago.
The courtyard that once housed the Bluecoat café and bookshop has been made into a string of working studios for local designers like Purlesque and Landbaby to exhibit and sell their work whilst there’s further studios for resident artists and creative businesses dotted throughout the building. There’s also an Espresso bar on the ground floor, a restaurant on the first floor, a multi-​purpose reception area, a gorgeous garden and various gallery exhibition spaces. As for the actual art, the Bluecoat runs bi-​monthly exhibitions and installations by national and international artists and hosts literary events, poetry readings, live music, comedy nights, performance art and networking events.
Admission to the building, shops and gallery is free and clearly, there’s enough going on at the Bluecoat to keep visitors occupied for a full afternoon or evening.