The Beer Engine, a popular Liverpool city centre bar on Hardman Street, has been put up for sale with a leasehold price of £165,000. The venue, which transformed the former home of late-night nightclub Bumper, is being offered with a reported annual rent of £120,000, equivalent to £10,000 a month.
From Bumper nightclub to modern pub
The site was previously occupied by Bumper, a late-night student haunt that closed in 2016 after 12 years. Bumper was known for its late licence, staying open until 5am and attracting a young, student-heavy crowd. The Beer Engine later took over the building, keeping its late-night credentials — with a licence allowing it to open until 6am — while reinventing the space as a modern take on the traditional pub.
When it opened, the venue promised to put beer at the heart of the experience, with a large selection of ales, lagers and bottled beers. The entire building was stripped back and refurbished, creating a two-level bar with more than 20 beer taps downstairs and a further 18 upstairs. The venue also boasts more than 100 fridges, giving it an extensive range of beers and other drinks.
Design and current listing details
The design was carried out by Snook Architects, with Neil Dawson previously describing the project as a "real celebration of beer". The finished venue also features pool tables, food facilities and a separate canteen area for customers who want to eat.
According to the current sales listing, the Beer Engine occupies a prominent position on Hardman Street, surrounded by bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels. The listing highlights the area's strong mix of students, tourists and local residents, with nearby attractions including Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, the Everyman Theatre, the city's two cathedrals and Liverpool John Moores University.
Inside, the venue is arranged across two floors, with the entrance on Hardman Street leading into the main bar area. The interior features fixed wall seating, high bar stools, chairs and tables, with a combination of wood and tiled flooring. One of the more distinctive features highlighted in the listing is the venue's collection of memorabilia, including motorbikes, racing cars and a variety of other antique pieces displayed throughout the bar.
Facilities and equipment
The Beer Engine has two substantial bar areas, each fitted with refrigerated bottle beer and wine cabinets, coffee-making facilities and Vectron tills. There are also five banks of beer and lager dispensers serving the venue. Behind the main bar is a separate wash-up area, equipped with glass washers, ice makers and stainless-steel sinks and work surfaces.
