Arts Bar on Hope Street, Liverpool's Pub of the Year in the LCR Tourism Awards, has brought forward its closing date for an extensive refurbishment. The venue, which opened in July 2019, was originally set to close on Saturday, July 25, with a farewell party, but will now shut its doors on Friday, July 24.
Refurbishment Details and New Design
Co-owners Tom Wilson and Alex Medlicott announced the change on social media, stating that specific building work necessitated the earlier closure to allow builders access on Saturday morning. The refurbishment is the largest in the bar's seven-year history. BBC's Design Masters winner Roisin Quinn has been chosen to redesign the space, promising "plenty of chaos, colour and all the good vibes" for the new era. Quinn met Wilson and Medlicott while studying at Liverpool John Moores University in 2012, where she designed and built a stage pub for Wilson's final year production.
Farewell Event and Future Plans
The final night on Friday will feature live music, drinks, and dancing. In a statement, the bar said: "If the venue has meant something to you over the past seven years, we would love to see your face this coming Friday." The studios within the venue will remain open throughout the refurbishment, with classes and rehearsals continuing as planned. An exact reopening date has not yet been confirmed.
Reflecting on the Journey
Reflecting on the bar's legacy, the owners said in a previous post: "We opened in July 2019, with no clue, no money, just a rag tag group of mates who took a chance. Supported by wonderful, wonderful, wonderful people. We were 26 years old, just babies. Taking each day as it came. Learning on the fly. Now we are 33, with a few grey hairs... we’ve learned a thing or two and we’re ready to take on this next chapter in life." Arts Bar Baltic, a second site opened in 2023 in the Baltic Triangle, will continue operating as usual.
