By Ade Blackburn
Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle is a thriving district that has emerged from its industrial roots to become one of the city’s most exciting and dynamic areas. The Baltic Triangle is a testament to Liverpool’s resilience, transforming from a once bustling hub of warehouses and factories to a vibrant cultural epicentre that showcases the city’s artistic and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Baltic Triangle is a hive of activity, featuring venues, creative spaces, a vintage market and an artist-led gallery. The area provides an excellent alternative to the mainstream of the city centre.
In this article we’ll take a look at some of the best cultural and creative spaces in the Baltic Triangle.
1. Gustav Adolf Kyrka (Nordic Church)
During the 19th Century, Liverpool was a major stop-off point for Scandinavians making the arduous journey across the seas to find their American dream. Gustav Adolf Kyrka became a place of sanctuary to thousands of emigrants on their way to the ‘New World’. The church is one of just four octagonal churches in England and of great architectural significance.
Today, it’s been adapted for the local community, offering a range of events such as theatre, craft fairs, coffee mornings and choral evenings. The church also holds regular Heritage Open Days, when visitors can tour the Grade II listed building.
Gustav Adolf Kyrka (Nordic Church): 138 Park Lane, L1
2. The Royal Standard
The Royal Standard is an artist-led gallery, established in order to showcase the most exciting, innovative exhibitions and events. They work with the most outstanding recent graduates and emerging artists, as well as more established practitioners.
The gallery has a host of upcoming Liverpool Biennial 2023 exhibitions, including works by artists Luke George and Maeve Thompson. They also hold a monthly life drawing session.
The Royal Standard: 5 Mann Street, L8
3. Baltic Market
Baltic Market is a great place to call-in for a bite to eat on a visit to the Baltic Triangle. Located at the Cains Brewery Village, they are known as the home of halloumi fries, frozen gin slush and wood-fired pizzas. Local traders at the food court include Christakis and Polpetta.
Now celebrating their sixth year, the market was Liverpool’s first street food market and is still well worth discovering.
Baltic Market: Cains Brewery Village, Stanhope Street, L8
4. McKeown Rice Exhibition Plinth
The Mckeown Rice Plinth near the Baltic Creative campus was curated by Castle Fine Arts Foundry and has been host to some incredible sculptures of the past ten years. The plinth enables both established and new artists to exhibit their work in the area.
The space is dedicated to two of Baltic’s founding members, Claire McKeown and Paul Rice. Both sadly passed away, but their work, dedication and contribution to the area is remembered through the art hosted at this fantastic space.
McKeown Rice Exhibition Plinth: 49 Jamaica Street, L1
5. Hangar 34
Hangar 34 is an event warehouse space, specialising in nightlife, live music and exhibitions. The venue recently hosted the acclaimed Rave UKraine event, a live link-up with a Kyiv venue and part of the Eurovision 2023 celebrations. The groundbreaking day featured Hot Chip, James Lavelle and experimental Ukrainian DJ Mingulitka.
Upcoming shows at Hangar 34 include The Wonderstuff, Eddi Reader and Liverpool’s Miles Kane.
Hangar 34: 34 Greenland Street, L1
6. HOBO Kiosk
Discover the friendliest and strangest little pub in the Baltic Triangle, HOBO Kiosk‘s interior has a lovely, vintage magic and charm. The pub also hosts small and secret gigs, anything from electronica to jazz, plus a film club night and a weekly quiz.
With carefully selected local beers, unique design and atmosphere, HOBO Kiosk is ideal for a quiet drink or a lively conversation across its vintage tables.
Hobo Kiosk: 9 Bridgewater Street, L1
7. Camp and Furnace
Right at the heart of the Baltic Triangle is Camp and Furnace. This multipurpose venue is an enormous space, that manages to remain cavernous yet atmospheric, regularly staging live gigs and DJ led club nights.
The venue has hosted many legendary shows and festivals, including Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia, which featured classic bands such as Super Furry Animals, Goat and The Black Angels. The festival attracted visitors and acclaim from around the world.
Camp and Furnace: 67 Greenland Street, L1
8. Red Brick Vintage
Red Brick Vintage is a giant warehouse of vintage, antiques, retro, salvage, hand-crafted, brocante, collectables, vinyl and more. A collection of over fifty independent businesses under one roof. From its inception in 2018, Red Brick has welcomed and supported independent traders, local artists and startup businesses.
A great place to wander around for a few hours and find a special bargain.
Red Brick Vintage: 70 Stanhope Street, L8
9. For All Liverpool’s Liver Birds
For All Liverpool’s Liverbirds is probably the most Instagrammed mural in Liverpool. Created by Liverpool street artist Paul Curtis, the idea was inspired by the city’s famous Liverbirds. Paul was originally a geologist in the oil industry before returning to Liverpool in 2016 to embark on a career as an artist.
Since its unveiling, the mural has appeared as the backdrop to thousands of visitors and tourists to the city, including The Duchess of Cornwall.
For All Liverpool’s Liver Birds: 43 Jamaica Street, L1
Find events happening in the Baltic Triangle and beyond by checking out our What’s On listings.