02/09/2008
Tour city in 80 pubs
Liverpool is raising a glass to pub culture with a month-long toast to comedy, music, magic, talks, walks and food & drink festivals.
September sees the climax to 'Around The City in 80 pubs' - a project launched back in May to promote the city's unique pub heritage as part the European Capital of Culture celebrations.
More than 40 - mostly free - events are to be held in all types of pubs, from famous architectural gems to back street locals and fashionable bars, involving organisations as diverse as CAMRA, Liverpool Magic Circle, Kaleidoscope Community Singers, the Chamber of Commerce and numerous pub landlords.
Highlights of the month include the CAMRA Real Ale Pub Festival and the extension of its Pub Passport Scheme to more than 60 venues - with all events listed in a free brochure.
Co-ordinated by the Liverpool Culture Company the project aims to emphasise pubs as social and cultural centres from Anfield to Woolton.
Eileen Wilshaw, Heritage Officer for Liverpool Culture Company and '80 pubs' Project Manager said: ''Liverpool is one of Britain's most thriving centres of pub culture and this festival gives everyone a chance to sample it and enjoy.
''Around the City in 80 pubs is putting their cultural role in the spotlight in '08 and underlining their invaluable role as places to meet, places for entertainment, places to participate - not just places for drinking!. ''
Since May pubs have been programming free pub heritage walks, treasure hunts, stand-up comedy, magic, live music to ghost tours in preparation for this month's finale.
Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council and Deputy Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company, said: ''Liverpool's pubs have played a pivotal role as incubators for the city's culture.
''As well as places to meet and talk they've famously provided our musicians, comedians, poets, actors and writers a haven to either perform, collaborate or think and so doing have uniquely contributed and shaped British and world popular culture.
''Around The City in 80 pubs is a fantastic addition to our Capital of Culture year and one which embraces all the hallmarks of Liverpool life from community spirit to entertainment.''
Eight highlights for Around the City in 80 pubs:
Sep 3-Oct 1 - The Guided Tours - Free two hour walking tour led by Merseyguides. Six themes: Sporting Links, Music, History and Heritage, Famous People, Maritime Pubs, Literary Links. Booking essential. Tickets available from 08 Place, Whitechapel, 0151 233 2459
Sep 10 - Oct 5: CAMRA 's Liverpool Real ale Pubs Festival and Pub Passport to 60 plus pubs - see www.merseycamra.org.uk and liverpool08.com for news and events update.
Sep 10: Pub Magic Night and launch of Beer Festival, Lion Tavern, Moorfields, 8pm. Once again, Liverpool Magic Circle will enthral with their unique brand of close-up magic.
Sep 14 - 21: Liverpool Food and Drink Festival - events and special offers every day in restaurants across the city. For details see www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk
Sept 15: 'Pool Pub Meanders - Explore the fine public houses following the line of the original Pool of Liverpool. Booking phone 07928 027 180 or e-mail info@poolproject.co.uk
Sep 18 -20: Ales from Another Crypt - St Anthony's Beer Festival - St Anthony's Church, Scotland Road. Tickets £5 per session from Lion Tavern, Moorfields or phone church on 0151 207 0177.
Sep 21: Hope Street Feast - a massive celebration of the cultural life of Hope Street. Street entertainment, dancers, music, all day performances at Philharmonic hall, restaurant offers, Farmers' Market and CAMRA stall offering tree tasters.
Sep 29: The Great Pub Treasure Hunt. Enter your team in the grand final with a chance to become supreme Pub Champions! Register with Joanne of Collette on 0151 224 1859.
Sep 30: Ghostly Goings On - Tales of The Grapes, Liverpool's most haunted pub. Meet 8pm in The Grapes, Knight Street and enjoy real ale and Spirits of a different kind!
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