ESCAPE TO LIVERPOOL THIS SPRING AND EXPERIENCE THE EXTRAORDINARY AT TITANIC HOTEL LIVERPOOL.
Indulge in a three course meal overlooking Stanley Dock, enjoy cocktails on the sun-drenched colonnades, and leave with a springtime glow from Maya Blue Wellness.
Room prices from £99 per night.
Welcome to Titanic Hotel Liverpool’s newspaper The Navigator, which has been created to guide our guests around the best of what the city of Liverpool, surrounding areas, and Titanic Hotel have to offer.
We understand just how fortunate we are to have all of Liverpool’s culture, events and leisure on our doorstep and want to show you the varied and vast offering to ensure you can make the most of your stay with us at Titanic Liverpool.
Spring is a wonderful time for exploring the city and experiencing the best of Titanic Hotel. Stanley’s Bar and Grill is the perfect place for a family gathering, or why not book for Father’s Day celebrations.
If you want to explore the city centre, it’s our pleasure to give any information we can to help you decide what you’d like to do whilst you’re in Liverpool. From the Grand National to the Eurovision Song Contest, to the golf Open it's such an exciting time for the city. As well as local shows, concerts, must-visit eateries and bars, there’s something for everyone and The Navigator is here to tell you all about it all.
Please enjoy this issue of The Navigator, we really hope it makes experiencing our beautiful city even more special.
April 20 - 23 • St Luke's Bombed Out Church
The Bombed Out Church at the bottom of Leece Street is one of the most striking landmarks in the city centre, now an events venue hosting everything from outdoor cinema to theatre festivals. From April 20-23, it’s holding a beer festival with up to 100 real ales, ciders, craft and draught beers, plus a gin/ alternatives bar, street food and live entertainment at day and evening sessions.
April 28 • Everyman Theatre
Comedian Suzi Ruffell is a familiar face on TV shows like Live at the Apollo, QI, The Last Leg and Womanhood, and she won a heap of critical praise for her last live tour Dance Like Everyone is Watching. Now she’s back out on the road again with her new show Snappy that’s all about settling down but not settling and becoming a mother without being mumsy.
May 2 • Hangar 34
After a headline-making appearance at this year’s Brits where she presented the New Artist award, singer Ellie Goulding is back in the spotlight for more usual reasons – her fifth studio album is coming out. To celebrate its release Ellie is playing a special hourlong show at Hangar 34 in the Baltic Triangle. Tickets for the gig come with album options including vinyl and blue/yellow cassettes.
April 22 • Camp and Furnace
If you’re going to do a huge tunes 80s nostalgia night then who better to have on the decks than one of the men who was right at the centre of it all? Martin Kemp, bassist in new romantic icons Spandau Ballet back in the day, returns to Camp and Furnace for one of its biggest nights of the year with non-stop hits that defined the decade from Madonna to George Michael.
April 28 - 30 • Various Venues
Liverpool’s Sound City is the UK’s number one independent festival for new music, bringing a lineup of established artists to play alongside local, national and international emerging talent. This year’s headliners including Maisie Peters, Beren Olivia, Sheffield indie band The Reytons and Liverpool’s own hotly-tipped Courting who are leading the charge in a new wave of emerging Scouse bands.
May 11 • O2 Academy
Aston Merrygold shot to fame in 2008 as part of boyband JLS who finished second on the fifth series of The X-Factor. They went on to release four bigselling studio albums and their own film, as well as picking up Brit and MOBO Awards. Aston released his debut solo EP in 2017 and now he’s performing live on a UK tour with a mix of his songs and throwback JLS hits.
May 25 - 27 • Empire Theatre
One of the country’s biggest stand-up comedians (and one of the world’s according to The Times), Russell Howard has built up a massive fanbase thanks to appearances on TV panel shows and his own Russell Howard’s Good News and The Russell Howard Hour. He’s out on a new live tour of the UK, including three nights in Liverpool, putting the world to rights as only he knows how.
June 4 • St George's Hall
In the beautiful surroundings of St George’s Hall Concert Room, London Concertante performs some of the best-loved West End musicals past and present. A two-hour candlelit concert features songs from Aladdin, Porgy and Bess, West Side Story, tracks from Hamilton and The Greatest Showman, and classics from Mary Poppins and Guys and Dolls.
June 23 • M&S Bank Arena
With a string of hits including West End Girls, Suburbia, It’s a Sin and Go West, Pet Shop Boys were one of the defining sounds of the 80s. They still sound as good as ever, and now – because they’ve got so many to choose from - they’re on a Dreamworld Greatest Hits Live Tour. Original duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe come to Liverpool for an added date after sell-out demand.
May 28 • Liverpool Philharmonic
Jools Holland is for life, not just for New Year’s Eve! Away from the annual Hootenanny, he’s on tour with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and in the Art Deco surroundings of the Phil for one night. An incredible pianist and band leader, Jools has played with some of the legends of music including Sting and Luther Vandross and his energetic live performances always raise the roof.
June 14 - 17 • Shakespeare North Playhouse
Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot is still in its first year of opening but it’s established itself as a venue for a fresh take on the Bard and more. The replica Cockpit Theatre hosts The HandleBards, who are known for cycling from venue to venue. They’ll be performing their unique – and slightly bonkers –version of the classic comedy Much Ado with much music and mayhem.
June 10 - September 17 • Various venues
Liverpool Biennial returns with a three-month programme of exhibitions at arts venues and some more unusual spaces across the city including Tobacco Warehouse, Tate Liverpool, Cotton Exchange, Bluecoat, Liverpool ONE, Open Eye Gallery and FACT. The UK’s largest free festival of contemporary visual art will have the theme uMoya: The Sacred Return of Lost Things, featuring work by more than 30 national and international artists and collectives.
When Eurovision 2023 takes over Liverpool, after so many months of countdown and anticipation, one woman is likely to be most relieved, excited and proud.
Claire McColgan, Director of Culture Liverpool, was a major driving force behind the city winning the bid to host Eurovision.
In the full-on months that have followed, she has headed up a small but dedicated Eurovision team which has been working day and night to deliver a powerful cultural programme that showcases the best of Liverpool on an international level – and has Ukraine at its heart.
Made a CBE in February for her services to culture and arts, Claire joined Liverpool city council more than two decades ago, joining the bid team which saw us become European Capital of Culture in 2008. Since then she’s overseen the biggest events Liverpool has ever staged including three Giant Spectaculars, the Three Cunard Queens on the Mersey in 2015 and the 2019 and 2022 Liverpool Football Club victory parades.
The Navigator sat down with Claire to ask what we can expect from Eurovision and why it means so much:
What made you think Liverpool was right to host Eurovision?
Our major event experience and musical credentials made it the perfect fit. When the UK was topping the leader board during the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, I started texting my team at Culture Liverpool, saying if we won we had to throw our hat in the ring to stage this incredible event. Liverpool was the obvious and perfect place. When the European Broadcasting Union announced Ukraine was sadly unable to host due to the war, we were quick off the mark and were the first British city to publicly state our intention to officially bid to become the host city.
Were you always confident we'd get it and if so, why?
No, I wasn’t confident at all. It was a tough application process and there was a narrative that Liverpool was the underdog, with many convinced Glasgow would scoop the title. Throughout the
whole bid journey we were steely and never underestimated what we would need to do to win the title. It just felt so right for the competition to be staged here, and with the Ukraine element it just made sense – we always stand in solidarity with those who need it and this is the ultimate expression of international friendship.
What do you think made the difference with our bid?
I work with a brilliant, creative team which, in a ridiculously short space of time, devised a cultural programme to complement the Eurovision Song Contest which managed to be moving, empathetic, educational, fun and attention-grabbing. This, combined with the amazing venues we have in this city, were some of the reasons the judges ultimately favoured Liverpool.
How has the preparation for such a massive event come together?
I can honestly say there hasn’t been a day that has gone by since we won without the word ‘Eurovision’ infiltrating, or in fact dominating,
a conversation – personally and professionally. It’s wonderfully allconsuming. Culture Liverpool is a relatively small, but highly-skilled team, which is now making our bid proposals a reality – something that we would generally spend years on, is being turned around in a matter of months.
What should we expect when the big week finally arrives?
Expect a two-week Eurovision takeover of the city! From the EuroVillage fan zone and volunteers to community programmes and an amazing cultural festival – there will be a constant Eurovision presence in the city. This event isn’t just a one night show on TV – there is a huge amount of content, the majority of it free, taking place in the city aimed at residents and the tens of thousands of additional visitors we are expecting to descend on Liverpool. We know a global spotlight is going to be on the city in May and we are prepared to shine. We’re one of the best event teams in the world and we’ll be more than ready to do Ukraine and the UK proud.
PART 1
50ML FINLANDIA VODKA
25ML BLUE CAROUSEL
25ML PINEAPPLE JUICE
SHAKEN WITH ICE
PART 2
25ML PINEAPPLE JUICE
25ML GOMME
25ML PASSIONFRUIT
SHAKEN DRY
Pour the yellow mixture into a glass filled with cubed ice, then layer the blue mix on top with spoon
Our assistant bar manager Kyran Carrington has created a Eurovision cocktail in honour of the contest coming to Liverpool. Kyran is passionate about his mixology craft and he loves having the opportunity to come up with new specials to celebrate events and landmark diary dates. They don’t come much bigger than Eurovision, so he wasn’t going to pass up the chance to get behind the bar in Stanley’s and work some magic in the name of the world’s best-loved music extravaganza.
“We aim to make different cocktails for every season and event,” says Kyran, “so we’ll have festive ones, themed ones for Halloween and Easter, and I’ll also try to incorporate a monthly one to give guests something different to try alongside our regular menu and the classics.
“When we found out that Liverpool was going to be hosting Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, I knew we definitely had to create something distinctive for that. Turquoise Vision represents the true hosts of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, and boasts a distinct punchy flavour to match Ukraine’s positive sprit while also representing Eurovision's iconic 'Turquoise Carpet'.
“Guests staying at Titanic expect to have a luxury experience and what we offer in our bars is a part of that.
“Anyone who comes here around Eurovision is going to have a really memorable time, not just in the city but at the hotel too. We want them to try our cocktails, including the new Turquoise Vision, and walk away thinking, wow.”
It takes a cast of thousands to get Eurovision onto TV screens around the world, and along with the armies working behind the scenes the spotlight is always on the BBC’s presenting and commentating line-up. It’s a coveted role to have and for 2023 there’s a star-studded team fronting the show as it goes out to a global audience of 160million.
As always Graham Norton will be taking on the main hosting duties – he’s been in the hot seat since taking over from the legendary Sir Terry Wogan in 2009 - and this year he’s joined by Ukrainian singer and composer Julia Sanina, Emmy Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham, and singer-songwriter and TV presenter, Alesha Dixon.
Self-confessed Eurovision super-fans Scott Mills and Rylan Clark will also be adding their expertise, as well as some insightful – and guaranteed cheekycommentary. Rylan was front and centre for the Liverpool Eurovision build-up, co-hosting the official handover at St George’s Hall with AJ Odudu, so there’ll be no stopping him once the live semi-finals get underway.
After finding fame on the X-Factor in 2012, he first joined the BBC’s line-up for Eurovision coverage back in 2018 after a stint as a guest panellist on BBC2’s Eurovision: You Decide. He said he was thrilled to become a part of the Eurovision family, and joked: "As a massive fan of Eurovision I’ve already cracked out my Union Jack Spice Girl jacket and am packed and primed and ready.”
No news yet on whether the jacket is on its way to the M&S Bank Arena, but ahead of the big event, The Navigator found out a bit more about Rylan’s love of all things Eurovision and why he’s so excited it’s happening in Liverpool…
As a life-long fan, what is your first memory of Eurovision?
I remember Imaani for us singing Where Are You (she came second in 1998) and I remember Dana International winning. It was in Birmingham and I think that was why I took notice of it as a kid, because it was happening here in our country. That’s when I really fell in love with Eurovision. It’s a place where you know you can be anyone you want to be.
There have been so many stand-out moments over the years at Eurovision, if you had to pick out your most memorable one what would it be?
I think when Conchita Wurst won it, it was quite emotional because Conchita had reasons for doing the contest and being different and that speech was quite nice. But then, even going back as far as people like Bucks Fizz and ABBA. I mean, Bucks Fizz ripping their skirts off, it was literally salacious and all they did was show a bit of knee! I think Eurovision is that thing that has always been borderline cheeky, but never offensive.
Is it possible to choose a favourite Eurovision song?
Someone like Loreen from 2012, I think she's an amazing artist. I only knew her because of Eurovision and then subsequently from that, I've got her albums. I think it would be a toss up between Euphoria by Loreen and maybe Diva by Dana International (who won in 1998)that's a stellar tune!
In the past, Eurovision has been accused of political voting, but last year Sam Ryder coming second for UK maybe showed countries weren’t just scoring high for their neighbours. What are your thoughts on that?
I think we've seen that dwindle over the past sort of decade. In the early years, you knew who was going to get 12 from who. I think it's still partly there, but I think that's what's great between the public vote and the jury vote. Now the votes are split, and they've changed the format, we have seen different types of results from that.
You mentioned in an interview with the Radio Times that it felt particularly special to be involved in this year’s Eurovision in the UK. Why is that?
I see it as an honour. It’s absolutely terrible what’s going on out in Ukraine. I’m just grateful that we’re able to sort of throw Ukraine’s party over here in the UK, giving them the celebration they deserve.
How much are you looking forward to Eurovision coming from Liverpool this year?
I’m just excited that Eurovision’s back. Everyone knows how much I love the fact we get to host it for Ukraine, on home turf, is very exciting. I had my X-Factor bootcamp up here so Liverpool holds a very special place in my heart and it’s so lovely to be back and to be going back to the actual arena that it all happened in for me but
in a completely different capacity. That’s just amazing. Do you think you might have any time to get out and about the city in between presenting duties?
I just can’t wait to see everyone and I’m looking forward to EuroClub (that’s the official party venue) because I do enjoy a night out!
The world spotlight is going to be on us in a massive way for Eurovision, so what would your message to Liverpool be?
Thank you so much for having us in your beautiful city and enjoy Eurovision because as someone who’s been part of the team now for many years, you do not realise what’s about to happen to your city. It’s the biggest party on earth.
The individual talent and teams who make Liverpool’s hospitality industry one of the best in the UK were celebrated at this year’s Liverpool Hospitality People Awards.
Titanic Hotel’s Rum Warehouse was the stunning venue for the awards which recognise excellence across the city region.
Hosted by Jay Hynd from The Guide Liverpool and presenter Claire Simmo, the event not only put a well-deserved spotlight on the nominees and winners in a range of categories, it also raised more than £25,000 to support the charity Hospitality Action.
Titanic was thrilled to have two winners in this year’s awards, sponsored by recruitment agency Saffron Vanilla.
to make the city a safer place, and Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, was presented with The Chairman’s Award.
Brian Connor, general manager of Titanic Hotel Liverpool, said the hotel was delighted to host the awards in the Rum Warehouse and the night had
“After the awards’ four-year break, it was great to see so many members of the hospitality industry reunite and acknowledge the hard work of all the individuals and teams that make up Liverpool’s booming hospitality industry. Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners, including Titanic’s own
Leading the Eurovision charge will be a two-week cultural festival, EuroFest, which runs from May 1-14 and has 24 brand new commissions, including The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade by The Kazimier – a huge outdoor underwater sea disco featuring 100s of performers and a glitterball jellyfish.
As part of the city-wide EuroFest, National Museums Liverpool is letting performers take centre stage across its museums and galleries for a Museum Sessions Live special celebrating the power of music and performance and the joy of Eurovision across NML venues on Fridays & Saturdays from April 14 - 13 May.
The dock is at the centre of the Eurovision action with three weeks jam-packed with incredible events, including Luke Jerram's stunning 10-metre floating artwork and soundscape, ‘Floating Earth’, from April 28-18 May, live music from a 72ft Challenger yacht, Ukrainian specials and much more.
St George’s Hall is hosting National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome party on Sunday May 7, with 30,000 free tickets up for grabs. The outdoor show celebrate Liverpool’s music history, humour and warm welcome with high profile performances.
Fusion nightclub has six unique Eurovision events lined up from 8-13 May where fans, artists, the media, and workers can meet to celebrate at the EUROfansClub. Expect live music, glitter and a headline performance from Eurovision legends, Katrina and the Waves, for the big finale.
With so many fantastic events popping up all over Liverpool for Eurovision, we've put together our very own Eurovision Trail with 12 highlights to look out for.
Street parties, screenings, theatre shows and pretty much every other kind of celebration you can imagine will be happening in the city in the run-up to the big night of Eurovision. With thousands descending on the city, venues are making sure there’s plenty going on for fans, even if they haven’t snapped up tickets for the main event.
Liverpool ONE is already decked out with floral displays inspired by Ukrainian colours and as part of the EuroLearn part of the city’s celebrations, artists are collaborating with schools and Ukrainian community groups to create Eurovision art installations in the shape of huge eggs in honour of the Ukrainian tradition of pysanky.
There’ll also be musical performers right across Liverpool ONE in the run-up to the event, including the ever-popular Tickle the Ivories piano busking festival.
9
St.
12
No hosting in Liverpool would be the same without a bit of comedy so the Royal Court’s stepped up with a new play, Thong For Europe, by award-winning Liverpool writer Jonathan Harvey, showing from April 23-27 May. They’re also hosting a Eurovision Big Screen Party on 13th May with food stalls and a prize for the best Eurovision outfit.
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5 Concert Square
The Everyman is joining in the celebrations with a Eurovision Final Screening Party on 13 May with classic Eurovision tunes before the final hits the big screen in the Auditorium, and once the winner is crowned fans can dance the night away at a Europop after-party until 2am.
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10 Around the city centre
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The Phil’s a beautiful setting for a couple of Eurovision celebrations, including a performance from the Philharmonic Orchestra playing Eurovision hits on May 12, and a fancy dress Eurovision party screening the contest on the 13th.
Camp and Furnace
Camp and Furnace is the home of EuroClub 2023, a week-long fun fest of all things Eurovision. From 5-13 May, Camp will be putting on a packed programme of live performances by bona fide Eurovision royalty including Irish twins Jedward.
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The bars in Concert Square will be coming together for three weekends of live music in the run-up to Eurovision with ABBA tribute band, ABBA Forever, and on 13th May the whole square will be one big Eurovision party.
When Eurovision comes, Liverpool isn’t just going to be the centre of all things music, it’s going to feel like the busiest, most exciting place in the world.
Nobody throws a party quite like our city - it was one of the reasons why we were chosen to be this year’s hosts.
And it won’t just be the M&S Bank Arena that’s at the heart of all the action, every venue on and around the waterfront will be getting its share of Eurovision magic.
Liverpool’s got so many options for eating out, whether you want casual or more fine dining, or just having a drink down by the river, so here are The Navigator’s 8 picks for places to try…
A near neighbour of the Arena, so incredibly close to where Eurovision will be happening, EastZEast has long been a popular pre-gig choice for concertgoers. Its aim is to serve the kind of dishes that Indian people eat at home so there’s lots of fresh ingredients and intense spice combinations going on. It specialises in Punjabi traditional Desi dishes, meat and veggie karahis, and saffron biryanis. For drinks, it’s got to be a Punjabi traditional yoghurt lassi infused with mango or strawberry.
If there’s one dish that has universal appeal right across Europe then it’s got to be pizza. The Italians can rightfully claim it as theirs, but every other country’s taken it on and Rudy’s does a classic version that owes everything to its Neapolitan roots. Rudy’s Albert Dock is the latest addition to its Liverpool restaurants, a selfstyled neighbourhood pizzeria that couldn’t be handier for the waterfront attractions. Pay homage to the best of Europe with a pizza, a side of olives and an aperitivo.
For informal all-day dining, Brasco Lounge at Mann Island has created a place that feels like sitting in your own (or maybe your nan’s) living room, crammed with old school prints and paintings, and quirky mismatched furniture. The menu has variations to suit everyone, including stand-alones for vegan, gluten free and kids. Go from brunch and breakfast, through to lunch and evening with mains like buttermilk fried chicken, burgers, salads and tapas, leaving room for crispy churros.
Still on Mann Island, nicely positioned between Royal Albert Dock and the Three Graces, Nova Scotia is the nearly new independent kid on the block, opening just under a year ago. Another good looking all-dayer, Nova Scotia has great breakfast, lunch and dinner menus and has won quite a following for its Sunday roast experience – meat and veggie - which comes with all the usual trimmings plus a side of scouse! They do sharing carafes of cocktails too including Pimms and a Berry Spritz.
OK, we’re obviously a little biased when it comes to choosing restaurants and bars, but you won’t find any more historic or beautiful than Titanic’s own, overlooking the original maritime buildings of Stanley Dock. Stanley’s is perfect for a meal with friends and family that’s relaxed but still feels special and we’ve got all tastes covered –from our selection of dry-aged steaks to our dedicated vegan menu. If you just fancy a drink, we’ve created a special cocktail to celebrate Eurovision too.
Across the Strand and facing the Three Graces, you’ll find one of the prettiest venues in the city centre. Oh Me Oh My is the sister venue of another long-standing city centre favourite, Leaf, and has turned a historic building which was once home to the Bank of West Africa into a unique place to meet and eat. Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it serves Afternoon Tea and, weather permitting from April to September, its Goodness Gracious rooftop bar is open every day from 12pm.
It’s a tough call which restaurant in Liverpool has the best views of the Three Graces and the river, but Matou is definitely a strong contender, located in the middle of them! At the Pier Head, this Pan Asian restaurant and bar has glorious views from both sides – if you get lucky with a window seat inside overlooking the Mersey or out on the roof terrace where you can order food from the al fresco menu and cocktails including the signature chilli and passion fruit martini or Tokyo lychee tea.
Mexico isn’t likely to make it onto the Eurovision contenders list, but that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the best of its food. Madre at Anchor Courtyard at the Albert Dock has the flavour of an authentic taqueria, with a speciality lunch to late menu that’s especially big on tacos and margaritas. Still on the courtyard, from the same owners, Burnt Milk Hotel café bar and bottle shop is the perfect intimate little place to head for coffee and pastries, wines and cocktails.
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GRADE II LISTED TOBACCO WAREHOUSE, built in Liverpool in 1901 as “the biggest warehouse the world had ever seen”, is being converted as part of the Stanley Dock regeneration. Phase One of the project is complete and the warehouse apartment homes have loft-style features such as exposed brick walls, cast-iron columns and double-height spaces. They are just across the dock from the Titanic Hotel and close to several hip cafes and creative businesses in the fashionable Ten Streets district.
Developers have released new images from inside the finished show apartments being marketed by Logic Estates. The four large dressed show apartments in the landmark building provide a homage to The Beatles, Liverpool’s most famous rock band, with different rooms featuring speciallycurated limited edition Beatles artwork. Tobacco Warehouse is being transformed into the city’s most exclusive new residential address providing 550 exceptionally spacious and airy one, two and three bedroom Manhattan loft style apartments, including penthouses, complete with 100,000 square feet of dock level commercial space and lifestyle amenities.
In order to dress the Tobacco Warehouse show apartments with Beatles artwork Stanley Dock Properties purchased many of the limited edition pieces at ‘Double Fantasy – John & Yoko’, a 2019 Beatles Exhibition that was held at the Museum of Liverpool. This exhibition drew on artwork from Yoko Ono’s own private collection, some of which had never been displayed before.
In dressing the four show apartments the developers envisaged that each could provide a funky Manhattan style pad for one of the “Fab Four” (John Lennon actually lived in New York). This creative inspiration has resulted in a series of visually striking, highly individual, dressed apartments that are rich in character and colours and combine iconic Beatles artwork with Art Deco style furniture, sculptural light fittings and vintage and contemporary accessories.
With apartments now available for immediate occupation and prices starting from £235,000 viewings can be arranged with Logic Estates, 0151 920 2404.
