The Bombed Out Church Bar, Liverpool

BOC Bar Liverpool - Fever Tree Tonic

Oh it feels good to be writing about Liverpool again…it’s been a while. Let’s see, the last time I wrote about my home city was way back in March when I took a trip to Bundobust. With lockdown happening around a week after I posted that, it put a halt to my 2020 plan of visiting somewhere new in Liverpool every month. Almost 6 months down the line, however, I finally got a chance to visit somewhere new…the Bombed Out Church Bar. I was invited to check out the Bombed Out Church Bar as a press/media guest.

Getting Used To Going Out Again

I know that a lot of places opened up again back in July but I wasn’t totally comfortable visiting new venues when everything first opened. I was mostly just sticking to my local, more familiar spots for the time being. But around five or six weeks after things had been open I felt as though I was ready to start exploring Liverpool again. So when I had the opportunity to check out a new city centre outdoor bar, in the Bombed Out Church, I was excited to get a bit of normality back again.

The Bombed Out Church Bar, Liverpool

For any of you who aren’t Liverpool locals or haven’t heard of the Bombed Out Church (officially named St Luke’s) before, the building was constructed back in the early 19th century as a parish church. During the Liverpool Blitz in 1941 it was badly bombed, leaving it completely without a roof and therefore giving it its name of the ‘Bombed Out’ church. It’s now a Grade II listed building and stands as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the war.

After having to close down back in March when the lockdown measures came in, tourist visits to the venue obviously halted and still remain to be at a minimum given the current circumstances. And so with the venue temporarily not being a tourist destination, the team at The Bombed Out Church decided to make the most of the stunning venue by reopening as a garden bar.

What The Venue Is Like

The bar itself is located in the grounds of the BOC, although not inside the church. It’s a completely cashless and seated-only venue, non-smoking as well. Upon entry we were met with a member of staff who explained both the track and trace and the ordering system that was in place at the venue. They then led us through the grounds (via a one way system) to a table of our choosing (we ended up choosing one right against the church in its own little alcove, so cute!) and handed us the menu.

There were loads of different tables set up across the grounds from 2-seaters with mini kegs as stools, to 6-seater benches with giant parasols above them (you can never rely on British weather!). I went on a fairly gloomy day, and just about managed to avoid the rain, but with the huge parasol above our table I wasn’t worried about getting caught in a rain shower.

As it’s completely cashless and table service only, all food and drink has to be ordered via the QR code that’s on every table and then is brought over by a member of staff.

What I Ordered: Turncoat Gin

Between the two of us we tried three of the Turncoat Gin’s with fever tree tonic. The first was ‘Our Man In Sicily’ (37.5%)  which was a lovely, light and summery gin and was served with a slice of lemon. Then we had the Cascade gin which was the strongest of the three sitting at 43%. This one was a lot more earthy but still had a fruitiness to it. They served it with a slice of grapefruit. The final one was the classic London Dry Gin (40%). I’d describe this one as ‘sherbety’ or just having a bit of a lemon sherbet flavour to it. It was served with lemon and lime slices.

All of the drinks came in eco-friendly polycarbonate glasses; they’re used once, cleaned and then returned to the venue. They even had little indents in them where you could rest your thumb and hold them more easily. My mind was blown, how cool?!

What I Ordered: Turncoat Pizza

For food I opted for the Olive Garden pizza which was just an absolute veggie dream. Feta, red pepper, red onion, olives, mozzarella and tomato, I’m honestly still thinking about how nice it was now. All their pizzas are cooked to order in their wood fired oven on site in the little Turncoat stand.

Overall it was such a great experience getting to visit the Bombed Out Church Bar. For a trip out to a non-familiar venue, I felt really comfortable which is my main priority when it comes to heading out at the moment. Also, considering the fact that the church is right on the corner of two really busy city centre streets it was surprisingly relaxing sitting outside!

As much as I love an outdoor bar in the Summer, I have to say there’s something that I love EVEN MORE about sitting outside wearing a jumper and coat in Autumn/Winter. Anyone else? So I for one am definitely looking forward to layering up over the coming weeks and enjoying a Turncoat Gin and Olive Garden Pizza in their gardens right through the Autumn. Have you been heading out more often in recent weeks? What have been your go-to places to visit recently? Are you trying out new spots or sticking to familiar local places instead?

Female Original

Liked this? Then you’ll love this one: Testing CleanGin From The Clean Liquor Company.

52 thoughts on “The Bombed Out Church Bar, Liverpool”

  1. This sounds like a really awesome place! I love history so that caught my interest! Glad they found a way to make ends meet during all this and that pizza looks so yummy!!

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  2. This looks like such a great venue! The drinks sound amazing and the pizza looks delicious. I am trying to get out as much as I can right now and really hope that patios will remain open as the weather gets colder. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It’s a great venue! I’d love to see patios stay open as well, I find outdoor spaces a lot more relaxing during the current circumstances 🙂

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  3. Oh wow, this place looks so cute! I too was very nervous about going to new places as lock down lifted but I have been so impressed by the social distancing measures inside of these venues! It looks like a really lovely place, definitely going on my list of places to visit!

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    1. It’s so lovely isn’t it! I was definitely sceptical about heading out again, especially to new venues, but seeing staff take everything so seriously makes all the difference 🙂

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  5. This place sounds incredible, I love the story behind it. I haven’t been out yet, not really comfortable with the idea of being around people I don’t know to be honest but this place sounds like a great stop for a first time out with it being outdoors and well distanced. I love the sound of Our Man In Sicily. Your pizza looks delicious too! x

    Sophie

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    1. It’s such a great building isn’t it! I completely get where you’re coming from, I wasn’t ready to explore new venues that were indoors – they just feel a bit too compact for me at the moment. I’d definitely recommend outdoor bars/restaurants for when you do feel comfortable heading out again 🙂

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  8. The “Our Man In Sicily” drink sounds so good and light, but I love that you sampled more then one drink. I love the refreshment of being able to sit outside and not worry about rain or too much sun; your table looks so perfect and your food has me hungry for pizza now!
    Thanks for sharing. 🙂

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    1. It was nice to get a chance to try a few different flavours of the Turncoat Gin. I’d never tried any of their gins before so it was lovely to try and compare them all 🙂

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    1. It was a fab little afternoon out! I know exactly what you mean. I think going to outdoor venues helps ease you back into ‘normal’ life though 🙂

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  12. I walk by the Bombed Out Church Bar all of the time but haven’t actually visited before! I think it’s such a lovely concept. How amazing does that Pizza look, Feta is my absolute fave, but surpisingly never had it on a Pizza before. I’ll definitely be popping in for a Gin in the coming weeks! x

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    1. I was exactly the same, I’ve walked past it so many times but had never been inside. Feta is a game changer on a pizza, you’ll have to test it out if you go 🙂

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    1. I’m still thinking about it even now haha. I was surprised at just how relaxing it was considering both the circumstances and the fact that it was just off a main road. Such a lovely afternoon! 🙂

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  20. It is great that you got to check out the Bombed Out Church Bar! Such an interesting concept but I like it! I really miss going out – the economy can’t be kept closed for a long time. People need to work in a safe manner. Their drinks look delicious!! Mmm the pizza does too. Glad you enjoyed your time out there!

    Nancy ✨

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  21. Sounds like such a lovely venue! Not far from me either in Manchester and i do love visiting Liverpool. Thank you for sharing and glad you enjoyed your visit! Very hungry after seeing that pizza! Emma x

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  26. It’s good to see this being put to good use during these awful times and what great surroundings to have while you sit with a drink or two. The last time I went past the bombed out church (last summer) there were quite a few homeless people either hanging around or sleeping, so I didn’t go in as I didn’t want to bother them.

    Reply

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