Cocktails & Karaoke At The Kabannas Relaunch Liverpool

What's the first thing you look for when you step into a new bar? Maybe it's a good vibe and upbeat music, dreamy cocktails and delicious food, or maybe it's somewhere to have a chilled evening and catch up with the girls. Well what if I told you that I've found the perfect place to do all that and so much more. 

Oh and want to hear the best bit? It's right in the heart of Liverpool!

Introducing Kabin at Kabannas

Brought to you by hybrid hotel brand Kabannas, the Kabin is one of Liverpool's most exciting new venues bringing something special to the famous Cavern Quarter. Aside from unique accommodation, guests can also enjoy a feel-good social experience over two floors, bringing an impressive Asian inspired menu, interactive bar, retro games and a private karaoke room. 

There's nothing I love more than trying out new bars and restaurants, so I was delighted to be invited to the relaunch of Kabannas Kabin Bar last week for an evening of cocktails and fun. On our arrival the place was bustling, the drinks were flowing, and we could already sense that the party was in full swing. I just knew we were destined for a fabulous evening! 

What's so different about Kabannas? Well, let me tell you.

If you're looking for a quiet, chilled space to enjoy your evening then head upstairs to the Highball Bar. With its large open windows, warm atmosphere and sophisticated vibe, it's the perfect place for a date night or to enjoy an evening drinking cocktails with the girls (and trust me when I say, the cocktails are absolute perfection!).

Right next to the bar you'll find the interactive 'self-pour wall' where you can help yourself to a selection of organic cocktails, draught beer or cider. Simply select your drink, pull the pump and you're good to go! So if waiting at the bar isn't your style or if you just fancy taking on the role of cocktail pourer then I just know you're going to absolutely love this as much as I did. 

However, if your vibe is sitting at the bar and watching someone else pour your cocktail then you can also find an extensive menu of sustainable wines, classic cocktails and non-alcoholic options there too. We were drinking the Limoncello Spritz for most of the night and oh my goodness, I can't even begin to tell you how dreamy it was. I've never really had limoncello before but I've definitely found a new favourite drink, it was refreshingly sweet. The team at Kabin very kindly gifted us our cocktails and food, and I can confirm that they're strong contenders for the best cocktails in Liverpool. 

In order to offer an exciting food element, Kabannas have teamed up with renowned Asian eatery Little Bao Boy to serve a variety of fluffy homemade bao buns, flavoursome rice bowls and a range of tasty sides including crispy cauliflower bites, gyozas and loaded fries. 

I'm quite fussy when it comes to trying new food but I was really pleased with the variety they had on offer. There was literally something for everyone, including veggie options too. We had the Char Siu Pulled Pork Fries and they were absolutely divine. A bowl of salted fries, loaded with char siu pulled pork, chilli mayo, spring onions and toasted sesame seeds...my mouth is watering just thinking about them! 

One thing I noted, and loved, is that all the food and drink is very affordable. Plus some of the cocktails are 2 for £12 so that's a win win situation if you ask me. 

If you're in a sociable mood and fancy more of a party atmosphere, you can head downstairs where you'll find a large games and events space. Complete with colourful lighting, wooden benches, retro arcade games, a smart darts lane and a dedicated karaoke room available for private hire, there's something to keep everyone entertained. There will also be DJs and live music from Thursday to Saturday, a perfect place to go and start your night out or let your hair down after a week at work.

We absolutely loved being in this space, if we weren't dancing to the absolute tunes coming from the DJ booth then we were in the karaoke room belting out an absolute classic. I'm also pleased to report that the karaoke room is in fact soundproof so no one could hear me singing Shania Twain at the top of my voice, probably a blessing when I think about it.

Why is it that when you enter a karaoke room you just forget every song you've ever known and can't decide what to sing!?

We spent the rest of our evening drinking cocktails, dancing and singing a song or two in the karaoke room. I really do love the whole vibe of the place, they've succeeded on their mission to create a space that welcomes everyone no matter who you are, how old you are or what you look for in a venue. 

There's nothing quite as unique as Kabannas Kabin Bar in Liverpool. Whether you're a student looking for somewhere to socialise, a couple looking for a new date night idea or a group of friends looking for a place to have a cocktail and a catch up, Kabannas is the place to be! 

Thanks for having us Kabannas, you're one of my new favourite venues in the city, that's for sure.

Lots of Love,

Meg x

This Is Madre

Liverpool is wonderful for so many reasons; the friendliest people, the most picturesque settings and two amazing football teams. However, one of my favourite things is the variety of culture in the city; from bars and restaurants to museums and shops on the High Street, there really is a place for everyone. 

On Friday 6th December a new addition to Liverpool's bar and restaurant scene opened its doors on the Royal Albert Dock and I was very kindly invited along for an evening of tequila, tacos and late-night dancing.  

This Is Madre

Brought to the city from the talented team behind Belzan and London's renowned Breddos Tacos, MADRE is one of Liverpool’s most exciting new venues offering vibrant interiors, a stellar cocktail list, and a mouth-watering Mexican menu.

The bar is accessible via Atlantic Pavillion and Anchor Courtyard but don't worry if that means nothing to you, the bright pink neon signs illuminating the Royal Albert Dock are literally unmissable and entice you in straight away. 

As my friend and I approached, we could sense that the party was already in full swing; he was dancing before we even got into the place. It was set to be a fabulous night - a real fiesta, so to speak. 

Split over two floors with a 46-cover restaurant on the mezzanine level and casual dining area downstairs, MADRE serves lunch through to dinner and a late-night snack selection at the weekends when the restaurant is open until 2am. 

I'm quite fussy when it comes to trying new foods but let me tell you now, the food was absolutely divine. Throughout the evening samples of the menu were served, including Pork Al Pastor tacos; a tasty combination of spit-roast marinated pork with pineapple and salsa verde, deep fried mushroom tacos with chipotle aioli (my personal fave) and roasted pasilla chilli, along with crispy potatoes served with refried beans, garlic sour cream and chipotle salsa. 

If that isn't making your mouth water then I don't know what will.

A large feature bar takes centre stage downstairs which is where we spent most of the night sipping on flavoured Margaritas, chatting and dancing along to DJ Crazy P who took to the decks, playing tune after tune all night long. It really was impossible not to boogie along.

It was hard to choose just one cocktail from the menu as there was so much on offer. I eventually chose the La Pistola cocktail; a mix of Mezcal Verde Momento Espadin, lime, aguami, grapefruit and fizz, sounds good, right? It was. I didn't really know what to expect as I'm usually a Strawberry Daiquiri kind of girl but I was very very impressed. It was sweet but not too sweet - a bit like me.

Although I would class MADRE as a high-end bar, especially considering its beautiful surroundings of the Royal Albert Dock, all of the food and drink is reasonably priced and well worth it. Each cocktail is made right in front of your eyes by one of the friendly, skilled team members AND all of the food is prepared freshly on site.

We spent the rest of our evening dancing, drinking and having the best time. It was a pure party bubble that I was very reluctant to leave but sadly the night to come to an end at some point.

MADRE is one of the most unique bars in the city, there really is nothing quite like it; a classy fiesta. It's the perfect place to start your Liverpool night in style or if you want somewhere quirky to socialise with family and friends. No matter what the season, no matter what the time, it's always a party at MADRE.

I can't wait to be back!

Lots of Love,
Meg x

A Summer Soiree At Aether

Photography by Jason Roberts

What's the perfect way to spend a British Summer Evening?
If you're anything like me then your answer will include cocktails, a sunset and people who bring out the best in you. There's nothing I love more than a warm evening spent drinking, laughing and reminiscing with friends, to me that's what summer is all about AND I've found the perfect place to do it.

Introducing Aether

Situated in the heart of the city above Liverpool One, Aether is celebrated for its experimentally crafted cocktails and opulent interiors and is quickly becoming one of my favourite bars in the city. 

On Friday 9th August, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Aether Summer Soiree for an evening of cocktails, canapés and live music. On arrival we enjoyed a glass of Fiero Spritz, along with cocktails from their new Summer menu; including a zesty Chill Chocolate cocktail featuring Santa Teresa rum, and the Instagram worthy Tanqueray based Bee Sting cocktail. I can fully confirm Aether make the best cocktails in Liverpool. 

Photography by Jason Roberts

The bar has a very sophisticated vibe, with its chic décor, large open windows and wooden terrace decked with sofas and chairs for those warmer evenings (which we sadly weren't blessed with). It's the perfect place for a date night or an evening drinking cocktails with the girls, even spending time with the family. My Dad accompanied me to the event and even though he's not a cocktail drinker, he can't wait to go back (and believe me, if it's got my Dad's approval, it must be bloody good!).

We spent the evening chatting, sipping on a wide variety of cocktails and listening to the live band put some modern twists on classic tunes. Being in such a chilled environment with such positive lovely vibes put me in the best mood. It was the perfect way to end the working week and start the weekend off in style.

Photography by Jason Roberts

East River, a new restaurant based on Allerton Road which is inspired by the delis of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, provided canapés for the evening. We enjoyed succulent lamb skewers, bagel samples, fresh salmon bowls along with more light bites. I was very fond of the salmon bowl which we were able to eat with chopsticks (although I gave up half way through, far too twiddly for me). 

We stayed at Aether late into the evening as the live band was replaced by a DJ playing soul, jazz and modern classics which, as you can imagine, was right up my street. We even tried a Gin Fizz cocktail from the 'Seasonal Spritz' menu (a mix of Tanqueray, tonic, elderflower and violette soda) which was absolutely divine - definitely my favourite of the night.

Although I would class the bar as high-end, the cocktails are reasonably priced and well worth the money especially when you consider your beautiful surroundings and the skill of the bar staff who make, shake and prepare each drink in front of you.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that each cocktail on the menu is inspired by the elements. I can't wait to go back and try 'Peaches and Bae Daiquiri' from the Earth menu. A blend of bay leaf ketel one, peaches, vanilla, citrus and creamy peach - now doesn't that sound dreamy? *inserts heart eyes*

It was a place that was full of so much love and calmness that we didn't want to leave but sadly, the night couldn't last forever. Upon leaving, we were given miniature bottles of flavoured liquor to take home, which when added to a mixer created the perfect summer cocktail. 

With its innovative cocktail menu, stylish interiors, and lively ambiance, often enhanced with live music, Aether is already a firm-favourite with cocktail aficionados and provides the perfect spot for socialising with family and friends this summer, or any season for that matter. 

I can't wait to visit Aether again, it's my go-to place for a date night, an evening with the girls, a birthday celebration, a quick drink after a shopping trip and any other opportunity I get to try a new cocktail from the menu. 

Thanks for a fabulous evening Aether, you're my new favourite bar in the city, that's for sure. 

Lots of Love,
Meg x

Cocktails at the Club House

The weather has been so beautiful lately, so last week my best friend Liv and I decided to take a trip into Liverpool to go and have a somewhat sophisticated evening at a lovely new restaurant that has opened in Liverpool one. We thought it'd be nice to make a little bit of an effort, put a nice dress on and go out to have some drinks and a good chat. 

We picked the loveliest evening to go and visit the Club House in Liverpool One, it was just the right temperature to be able to sit outside with a cocktail and look at the pretty surroundings. The restaurant itself reminded me very much of the Newport Bay (for all the Disney fans out there) which was probably why I loved it so much. Every time Liv and I have made an effort to go to the Club House we haven't been able to get a seat as it is extremely popular with the people of the city. However, we were lucky enough to find some seats on the balcony; and it really felt like we were on holiday or maybe on a cruise. 

It took us quite a while to decide what we wanted from the menu, as we were debating over a pina colada but decided we probably only wanted one of those so that we could sing the song. We soon chose and both went for the same 'Sex on the Beach' cocktail that we get almost everywhere. When in doubt, it's the one thing we order. However, we're used to the rubbish cocktails you get in Wetherspoons in a pitcher that has a hole in the bottom, so when we saw these cocktails all nicely presented and looking very snazzy, we just couldn't wait to try them. Well, they didn't disappoint. It was gorgeous, I'd put it up there with one of the best cocktails I've ever had, I wanted to order another one but sadly my bank account wouldn't allow me to do so. 

It's safe to say that Liv and I felt very grown up and sophisticated being able to sit on a balcony drinking cocktails and watching the sunset. It was definitely a change, and a change we both loved. We sat and just laughed, chatted and sung along with the awesome singer who was playing some pretty cool tunes on his guitar. We both kept commenting about how happy we were to just be there, it was the perfect girly evening with my best friend and I just loved it.

In true Meg and Liv style, we ended the night by going to McDonalds and getting a box of 20 chicken nuggets to share on the train home. It seems our sophisticated streak didn't last for long!

We'll definitely be visiting the Club House again really soon, and if you think you'd like to visit then I'll leave a link to their website here so you can check out menu's and things like that! 

Lots of Love,
Meg

xox

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