By Jessica Roddy
Liverpool, a city with a vibrant and lively atmosphere. A city filled with history and culture. A city perfect for students. If you’re a student studying in Liverpool, you have hit the jackpot! The arts and culture surrounding this city is incredible and, more importantly, accessible for all. It’s important for the students of Liverpool to enjoy exploring the interesting cultures and attractions of this cosmopolitan city. So, this guide will help you discover the ways in which you can enjoy exploring Liverpool, on a budget, with helpful tips and discounts too.
Student-Friendly Spots In Liverpool
Let’s begin with some student-friendly spots. With friends, family or just you, here are some of the best places to spend the day studying, having a catch up, a laugh, a place to recharge yourself. Take time to enjoy these areas of Liverpool to take in the engaging and friendly atmosphere.
Bold Street
First up is Bold Street, found in the centre of Liverpool, this lively street has captured the hearts of many Liverpool students. You can find so many things to do on Bold Street that are within the budget of a student who wants to enjoy a day out in the city.
What makes Bold Street so popular is all down to the variety of independent shops, cafes, and restaurants. Charity and vintage stores are found in abundance; have a browse of these to find some hidden gems at great prices for students. Once you begin to get a bit peckish, there are some amazing places to eat that offer student discounts all year round such as Cafe Tabac and Mowgli Street Food. Without spending a penny, a walk through the boho vibes of Bold Street itself is more than enough to create a fun trip out.
Smithdown Road
Next, we couldn’t create a student guide without talking about Smithdown Road! Smithdown is home to a large population of student housing in the city and has a variety of independent shops, bars, and restaurants. Smithdown is also home to a number of popular student landmarks, such as The Brookhouse pub and Kelly’s Dispensary. It’s also a great place to eat with the likes of Big Lola’s, Spitroast, Picnic, Little Furnace and many more eateries along the road.
The Baltic Triangle
The Baltic Triangle, which was once an industrial area, is now a thriving creative and digital hub, with plenty of great places to eat and drink too. Hop over to the Cains Brewery Village and you’ll find the Baltic Market, the home of a number of independent restaurants serving up street food, all under one roof. There’s lots of other bars and eateries in the area, as well ArCains huge gaming arcade. The Baltic Triangle is home to some amazing street art, so be sure to take a wander of the streets and you’ll find some very cool pieces on display. You can get a guide to Liverpool’s Street Art here.
Lark Lane
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more relaxing day, Lark Lane is the place for this! This stretch of independent coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and more is a great place for students to go and grab a coffee or a bite to eat before taking a calming walk through Sefton Park. Perfect for the summer days spent in Liverpool.
Free Museums & Art Galleries In Liverpool
When it comes to a cheap yet engaging day out, with knowledge of art, history and culture bursting at the seams, museums and galleries are the winning option. Each venue holds so much culture and opportunity to learn. So why not spend a day exploring and educating yourself, with friends and family, or a solo trip out, on the art, history, and culture found deep in the roots of Liverpool.
Here is some information on just a few of the most well known museums and galleries in Liverpool:
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is the world’s first national museum to be devoted to the history of a regional city. Through the museum you’ll learn about the city’s rich history, culture, and people through interactive displays, exhibitions, and artefacts. Entry is free, with occasional paid exhibitions.
Maritime Museum
Situated on the Royal Albert Dock, opened officially in 1984, is the Maritime Museum. A museum where you can discover Liverpool’s nautical past and learn so much about the Royal Albert Dock and its importance throughout history.
With so much going on, the MMM is home to a variety of interesting exhibitions. One in particular that catches visitors’ attention is the ‘Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story’. This area of the museum traces through many personal, true stories from passengers and people involved with the Titanic, alongside many little known aspects of the most luxurious, world famous ship. What is especially compelling is the important role that the city of Liverpool had during the launch, voyage, tragic sinking, and the aftermath. This can all be learned in one single day out at the Merseyside Museum.
Another useful tip; In the same building as the Maritime Museum you’ll also find the unmissable International Slavery Museum which is also free.
World Museum
One of the most interesting and interactive museums to attend, the World Museum is located on William Brown street. There is an extensive variety of areas to explore and learn during a trip here. Whether it is a leisurely stroll, slowly taking in all that you see, or a speedy trip through each section – you can make your way through each area at the pace you wish. Throughout this museum, there are so many subjects to find out about. These include ethnology, archaeology, and the natural and physical sciences. To make it that bit better, this museum is home to a few special attractions such as the aquarium and many people’s favourite, the planetarium.
Walker Art Gallery
Next up, the Walker Art Gallery! Whilst out on a trip to the World Museum, why not wander over to this famous gallery located just next door.
This beautiful art gallery holds some of the most breathtaking paintings, sculptures, photography, fashion, and decorative art going all the way back from the 13th century to present day. You can imagine the vast areas of key art history that can be found at the Walker Art Gallery. The perfect place to enjoy the sights of such famous art and culture variations found throughout history.
Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool at the Royal Albert Dock and is another great place to visit for free. Entry is free to the majority of galleries, unless there is a special exhibition on, in which there may be a small cost.
Student Art Pass
You can also get a Student Art Pass for just £10 a year, which gets you free or reduced-price entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK, café and shop discounts, and 50% off major exhibitions.
Liverpool Theatres
An evening out at the theatre with friends is always an ideal way to treat yourself. Especially for you students! There are a variety of theatres to attend in Liverpool; The Empire Theatre and The Everyman Theatre being two of the most popular. Take an evening to lose yourself in some of the most incredible shows on tour.
Empire Theatre
The Empire Theatre has tickets starting from just £13 for almost every show, alongside offering student discounts on select shows, with a TOTUM Card.
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres
The Everyman & Playhouse Theatres offer the fantastic YEP membership. For students between the ages of 14 – 25, you can sign up for this free membership and have access to great discounts. These discounts include cheaper theatre tickets, free access to pre-show events and workshops, and to top it all there is also a 10% discount on food and drinks. Go online today and sign up for the free YEP membership, you won’t regret it!
Live Music
As a student in Liverpool, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to experiencing live music. The city boasts a vibrant music scene with venues catering to all tastes and genres. This is also the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons and listen and support new upcoming artists trying to make their way in Liverpool.
The Cavern Club
You have to visit the world-famous Cavern Club at least once as a student! The venue where The Beatles made their name, this legendary venue that still hosts talented musicians and offers a unique atmosphere steeped in musical history.
The Jacaranda
For a more intimate setting, The Jacaranda is a hidden gem and another spot that The Beatles used to frequent back in the day. This intimate basement venue regularly showcases emerging local artists.
The Zanzibar Club
If you’re into alternative and indie music, The Zanzibar Club is a popular haunt, hosting energetic gigs and promoting up-and-coming bands.
O2 Academy
For a taste of the city’s diverse music scene, the O2 Academy Liverpool is a larger venue that welcomes both established artists and rising stars across various genres.
Jimmy’s Liverpool
With its eclectic lineup of gigs, ranging from indie rock to alternative pop, Jimmy’s Liverpool has become a go-to destination for music lovers and students looking for a memorable night out. Its stylish interior, friendly staff, and commitment to supporting local acts make Jimmy’s a must-visit venue for students seeking an authentic live music experience in Liverpool.
These venues, along with many others scattered throughout the city, provide fantastic opportunities to discover new artists, support local talent, and immerse yourself in Liverpool’s thriving live music culture as a student. To discover more live music venues and to read about the venues in more detail, check out our previous blog, Our Top 10 Music Venues In Liverpool.
Where To Get Student Discounts In Liverpool
In this section you’ll find how how to get access to some amazing student discounts in Liverpool, so you can enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment at reduced rates.
Independent Liverpool App
The Independent Liverpool App is a must-have for students in the city. Not only do you get great discounts, but it is also an opportunity to explore the city more and visit independent shops, cafes, theatres, restaurants and bars across Liverpool, to help support the local economy too. There are over 100 Liverpool independents that offer discounts with this app. The best thing is, that it only costs £2 a month or £15 for the whole year.
Liverpool ONE
Liverpool ONE is home to hundreds of brands, shops, restaurants and entertainment venues and you can sign up here to be the first to hear about discounts, events and openings.
Cinema Discounts
You can get student discounts at Liverpool cinemas including the Picturehouse at FACT, and the Everyman Cinema in Metquarter.
University Discounts
Don’t forget to investigate the ways in which your university can support you through a variety of student discounts.
The student Guild at the University of Liverpool offers an exclusive travel ticket just for their students. This makes it easier, and a whole lot cheaper, to make your way around Liverpool. All the information can be found here.
Over at Liverpool John Moore’s University, they have recently introduced an affordable gym membership for students. For just £25 for the whole year, you can access the gym whenever you want, along with the opportunity to attend specific exercise classes such as boxercise, pilates and more!
National Student Discount Websites
UNiDAYS
UNiDAYS gives you access to offers at a huge range of shops, restaurants, technology, health & fitness brands and more. Download the UNiDAYS app for free and you’ll get instant access to big student discounts on hundreds of top brands, both in-store and online.
Student Beans
Student Beans is another popular student discount platform, which offers discounts from hundreds of big name brands.
TOTUM Card
Previously known as an NUS Extra Card, you sign-up for a paid TOTUM membership and get tons of student discounts.
In conclusion, Liverpool is a vibrant and dynamic city that offers a rich tapestry of arts and culture for students to explore and embrace. From its world-class museums and galleries to its thriving music and theatre scene, there is something for every artistic inclination. We hope this guide helps you to get out and explore the city, as well as allowing you to take advantage of student offers and discounts too.