Hidden Gems of Liverpool

Everyone and their aunt know Liverpool is the best city, voted one of the coolest places to live in the U.K, and ranked in the top 10 friendliest cities, along with the best accent. People from all over to marvel at our two cathedrals and stunning world-famous Albert Docks, but there are some marvellous secrets around the city, and I’m here to give you the tips on where to find them…

      Dirty Little Secret

Opening in 2018, within the name of it, this bar has been quite the well-kept secret amongst Liverpool party goers. The chic little cocktail bar can be found on Wood Street, with beautiful interiors and cosy spaces to get just a little merry. Not only this, but the bar is known to have a random FREE BAR NIGHTS that you don’t want to miss.

     Queen Avenue

Nope, this isn’t a still from the Harry Potter films, this gorgeous quaint little street is right on your doorstep! Though it’s been around for many years, Queen Avenue is one of Liverpool’s best hidden gems. It hosts some of the best wine shops and art shops the city has to offer! Find it just off Castle Street, in-between Rudy’s Pizzeria and Tune Hotel

      Berry & Rye

Blink and you’ll miss it! Berry and Rye is a cosy little speakeasy found right in the heart of Berry Street – but you won’t find it by looking for any lights or signs outside. To get in, you need to find a very specific black door, and you need to knock to be let inside. Once inside you can enjoy a range of fabulous cocktails with some boss music too.

      Some Place

Another hidden speakeasy, this bar is found just right next door to one of Liverpool’s most famous music venues – Zanzibar. Make your way up the narrow stairwell and find yourself in a beautiful, eccentric cosy club. They have a range of weird and lovely cocktails, that come in beakers and pots! Try their absinthe for an extra kick – at your own risk!

      Reid of Liverpool




The Scousest and quaintest little bookshop in the city – with an arrange of fiction and non-fiction to meet your fantastical needs. This gorgeous little shop is found just at the top of Mount Pleasant – and has been going strong for absolute years (since 1765 to be exact!)

      Dig Vinyl


Found beneath one of Bold Street’s most eccentric shops, Soho, this place has a brilliant range of vinyl’s springing from jazz to punk to classical. Give your ears a little treat with this one!

Now that you have the inside information on these gems, seek them out and enjoy!

When you’re feeling down about your body

We all have one of those days. Well, one of those weeks. Maybe a month.... year? Anyway, what i'm trying to say is we all have those times where we just can't stand to look in the mirror, or bear to be in the same room with ourselves. In this little blog, I'm going to give you some pointers on how to end this cycle of hate and how to practice self love.

• Remember what your body does for you.
  When you're asleep and you're dreaming of sweeter things, your body is still working to keep you breathing, keep you comfortable and keep you dreaming. Your body is literally keeping you alive, no matter if you have stretch marks, cellulite, self harm scars, rolls, birthmarks, spots, freckles and what have you. Your body doesn't care how you look, it wants you to be alive. 

• Remember how your body moves.
  
  Your body gets you around to where you want to go. Your legs can take you
  on long walks in the woods, your eyes can see the sun shining through the branches and your nose can smell the world in bloom. If you're in a wheelchair, your arms are helping you move, helping you get to places, not matter what you look like, no matter your size or blemishes, your body takes you on journey's and will continue to do that just for you.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Hating yourself let's the bad guys win.
  
  Do you know how much the diet industry has made and is continue to make? Billions, my friend. BILLIONS OF POUNDS. These people selling you diet pills, appetite supplements, diarrhea inducing milkshakes and smoothies - they are profiting off your self hate.  They are only out there to make money, they do not care about you or how skinny you get. Plus, these things can make you very, very sick. Do not buy in to it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Your body is not your impact.

I mean, when a person dies, is the first thing you think 'Wow, she was really beautiful and thin. Shame.' NO! Because you're not a vacant soulless person. People remember you for how you make them laugh, how intelligent you are, how interesting, quirky, lovely, welcoming, warm and fabulous you are. No one ever really cares how you look, no one is your friend because they think you're pretty. They're your friends because you're a brilliant person.

• Dude, get off Instagram. 
  
  Yep. Not only does Instagram make you feel worthless and boring, it makes you totally question what you're doing with your life and how you compare to these 'models'. I'm going to let you in on a little secret, come closer... closer.... listen... they all use Facetune. All of them. Plus, most of the stuff you see on social media is people pretending they have a better, more interesting life than they do. That's how they make their coin. It's a scam, don't buy in to it. Put your phone down for a bit, read a good crime thriller, write a poem, draw, look up to the clouds and breathe.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• HOW TO GET A BEACH BODY!... But you already have one.
  
  What is a beach body anyway? I have a body, I sort of live by a beach... Do I qualify? Yes girl. You do. Find a cute swimming costume or bikini and wear it. Look in the mirror, point out what you like about yourself. Hey, look at my boobs! Woah, my bum looks.... delicious. Wow, I never noticed how cute my arms are. My skin is GLOWING! Etc, etc. Practice this often, it works, I tell ya.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Your feelings are always temporary.
  You know, this feeling will pass. You'll wake up tomorrow feeling stupid about being so bothered about your body. And why are you bothered? Usually by other people's opinions... that they don't even have. As you grow and learn, you'll realise, every single person feels like this. Every one. Not everyone is looking at you, not everyone is talking about you. You are so much more than the number on your clothes.
  
  And if some ignorant person comments on your body, laugh at them and move on. Live your life and love yourself. You got this!
  
  

How to do Pride when you aren’t ready to come out

Jess O'Shea

Pride is coming up in the U.K the next couple of months, everyone's getting ready whether it's a Pride house party, public event or going to the march and celebrate in the streets. Pride is an extroverts dream, an event to celebrate everything about who you are without holding back. But what happens when you are queer, but you're not ready to let anyone know? Well, fear not! This piece will give you some pointers on how to attend pride, be proud of who you are as well as keeping it low-key. 

• Go as an Ally with your queer friends.
  Yep, simple as right? Express interest in wanting to attend the drag shows, experience the clubs and events and have fun! Even if you have completely straight friends, express how fun it will be to all be together and dance all night, like any other regular night out. 
  
  
  
• Go without friends!
  Queer people naturally take others under their wing. Attend the day time parade and party with some new friends. There's also tons of supportive LGBTQ+ stalls and charities at the day time party. You can walk up and chat to them, get to know the charities and their work, get some information on Pride and any youth clubs/groups that are about.

• Seek out LGBTQ+ youth groups!
  I know in Liverpool you can join and chat to the brilliant youth group YPAS, located right by the Adelphi Hotel. They attend Pride every year with their very own stall. It's a safe place for young people from aged 12 that can join. You don't have to disclose your sexuality, you can join for curiosity, or just have a chat at the Pride event itself.
  
  
  
  YPAS Liverpool youth group. http://www.ypas.org.uk/
  
  
• Read up on LGBTQ+ history.
  To really celebrate Pride and its cause, you need to go way back to the 1960's. Pride started when the brave patriots of Stonewall Inn in New York City rioted against the police for constantly busting and beating the club goers. Read up on your trans sisters that helped lead the first Pride, icons such as Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera - and so many more. 
  
  
  
  Sylvia Rivera (Left) Marsh P. Johnson (Right)
  
  
• Support your local Drag Queens!
  Even if you don't end up going to the actual Pride parade, pride is a year round celebration for queer people. One of the best places to start is going to your local drag bar and supporting the queens that perform in ungodly inched heels all night for your entertainment! Have a chat with them at the bar, or the local bar staff to get in the know about the club and drag culture in your city. 
  
  
  
  OMG bar in Liverpool, Victoria Street.
  
  
• Wear a little bit of Pride.
  There's tons of small stores at the Pride celebrations and online (Etsy is my favourite!) That sell small rainbow badges and even ally pins. Pin them on the inside of your jacket and celebrate yourself.
  
  
  LGBT Badges from Etsy (shop:Colouryourlifeclub). 
  
  

Be proud!

• Although you may not be ready to come out, remember your LGBTQ+ community loves you. You matter in this world, and when you're ready, you'll be welcomed with open arms. Remember to stay safe and continue to do your thing. Have a brilliant pride and enjoy yourself!