Austere-industrial and graffiti-filled with dramatic architecture, the Baltic Triangle’s up and coming art quarter makes Liverpool cool. I first found the Baltic Triangle as I plotted my Liverpool Biennial itinerary.
The Triangle is fairly off-the-beaten Liverpool path, so you have to actively seek it out. And if you’re armed with a list of bars, food establishments, and cultural venues, you will be rewarded with an exhilarating and inspiring experience. Yet simply wandering the streets of the Baltic Triangle has its own rewards, as you are sure to happen upon whimsical street art and stunning historic buildings.
The Historical Baltic Triangle
This quarter is certainly dense with history. Propelled by the success of Liverpool’s pivotal position as a major trade port in the 18th and 19th centuries - including the repugnant slave trade - a system of industry and warehouses sprung up in the Baltic Triangle to support the nearby docks. Because of Liverpool’s pioneering role in dock technology and complex logistics that manipulated a major world port of the British Empire, six areas of Liverpool’s historic center are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a Mercantile Maritime City.
As industry declined, so did the docks and the warren of surrounding warehouses in The Baltic Triangle. In recent years, the derelict industrial buildings were a natural draw for artists and startups. While this is the edgier, artsy side of town, the renaissance of The Baltic Triangle is generally reflective of the broader urban renewal that has swept over Liverpool.
Baltic Triangle - The Cultural Quarter
The Baltic Triangle, known as Liverpool’s Cultural Quarter, feels raw and authentic. It is filled with character and inventive spots that have organically sprouted from creative minds.
Imaginative entrepreneurs have embraced the Triangle’s architectural details and history, incorporating them as an integral backdrop where vintage meets contemporary and cutting-edge.
Eating, Drinking & Nightlife in The Baltic Triangle
A pilgrimage to gawk at Cains Brewery’s stunning architecture would alone make the journey to The Baltic Triangle worthwhile. But this past summer, the the former brewing establishment was revived as a destination with a hip street food market and plenty of watering holes for a perfect Baltic Triangle respite.
In its food hall, The Baltic Market hosts 10 vendors running the gamut from Haloumi Fries to Cuban street food. Currently, The Market is open only during the long weekend of Thursday to Sunday.
The new Cains Brewery also features a couple of new bars taking up residence in the brewery’s architectural nooks. Kiosk, featuring Italian wine and bar fare such as charcuterie, has squeezed into the brewery's former security house - but has additional outdoor seating when the bar surpasses twenty. And Dockleaf is housed in the former quality control room. Both of these new bars stem from the proprietors of one of my favorite Baltic Triangle spots, the Botanical Garden.
I discovered the seasonal Botanical Garden as I explored a graffiti-filled alley. Almost like Alice-in-Wonderland, I was compelled by an open colorful gate in the alley that led to a vibrantly decorated garden. I was drawn deeper into the mural laden patio filled with picnic tables, finding cozy alcoves and sharply decorated rooms of what turned out to be a Gin Bar.
My favorite space was the covered shabby chic bar filled with vintage tables, cushy couches, and a bar made from an old VW bus as its base. As the lights dimmed, candes were lit and I sank into a citrusy, herbaceous gin cocktail.
Back to wandering The Triangle’s streets, I found an array of food and drink options, plus super cool conceptual venues that mixed food, bar, music, and more.
The Triangle also has perfect spots for a caffeine fix, like the modern Coffee & Fandisha. Among the typical brick warehouses, this artisan coffee spot also serves pastries and light breakfasts and lunch. But to make choosing even more difficult, there’s also Unit 51 and the Baltic Bakehouse.
Not wanting to be typecast, Camp and Furnace bills itself as a cultural hangout. All you need to do is take a look at their calendar to see that it runs the spectrum of music, comedy, special events, and food. Particularly intriguing is their Friday Nightgarden and Food Slam with pop-up kitchen.
Another conceptual Triangle spot with a range of cultural events and large outdoor garden is Constellations. From Brunch Club to live music, Constellations has a lot going on.
You’ll also find plenty of craft beer spots in the Baltic Triangle like Baltic Social and Baltic Fleet.
If, like me, you love urban renewal and the way creative vision can restore a derelict quarter while still incorporating its history, then you will love The Baltic Triangle. Between exploring, chilling, and nightlife, you could easily spend a full day in The Triangle – and you would already be thinking about coming back to revisit your favorites.
Liverpool, in general, has plenty to keep you busy with myriad museums, architecture hunting, pubs, and some tasty food – but The Triangle with its unique vibe is destination-worthy in its own right.
But… Warning: Explore The Baltic Triangle while it still feels like a creative, bubbling petrie dish – who knows what future commercialization could plunder.
Navigating The Baltic Triangle
See Planet Gusto’s Baltic Triangle Map below for more ideas.
