£7m leisure and entertainment venue Blackstock Market opened its doors in April and now the next phase – a specialist whisky bar – will launch later this week. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool’s £7m Blackstock Market leisure and entertainment venue will open its latest phase this week – a new Whisky & Water bar.

Located just north of the city centre close to Scotland Road, Blackstock Market first opened its doors in April. It comprises four theatre spaces of varying sizes from a purpose built, and first to open, state of the art 590-seat auditorium.

Owners claim it is the largest regular comedy club space in Europe. The venue also includes a 50-seat studio space, along with podcast studios, with the venue the new home for Hot Water and the city’s legion of comedy fans.

Whisky & Water will serve its first drinks on Friday, June 28. It will offer a selection of whiskies, with 320 different Scotch and world whiskies and bourbons including rare finds and all available by the dram.

Whisky-tasting sessions will be held on site, and the venue is also offering special ‘whisky lockers’ for those who want to buy whole bottles.

Whisky & Water’s striking long wooden bar has been created using the original reception desk from the historic White Star Line ‘streaky bacon’ building on Liverpool waterfront. It will also host live blues and jazz music.

Whisky & Water will also feature two secret rooms which are set to open soon. The first, accessed through a hidden entrance, will transport guests back to the US Prohibition era with classic cocktails and a 1920s Speakeasy ambiance.

The second is a basement jazz bar perfect for ticketed jazz events and offering a cosy space to enjoy live music up close. The brand-new bar will open Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm until midnight.

Blackstock Market is the brainchild of Hot Water’s founders Paul and Binty Blair. It is open six days a week (apart from Tuesday), with no need to book to access the main market areas and most attractions, and free live music on site daily.

Children’s comedy shows are another new addition to Blackstock’s busy programme, with the family friendly Sunday afternoon stand up – starting on June 30. This stars top-notch funny men and women from home and abroad and suitable for young people aged six and upwards.

A mezzanine space seating more than 200 people and overlooking the venue’s busy food market is also being launched, while a giant rooftop terrace, the largest in Liverpool, will be accessible later this summer as part of phase three.

Then in August, ‘dog-friendly’ Blackstock Market will open a new function room space which promises to be the perfect venue for a range of events from an intimate gathering to a grand celebration.

Paul Blair says: “We’ve been astounded by the amazing response since Blackstock Market opened in April – thousands of people have visited the venue to enjoy fantastic comedy and our brilliant food and drink offer.

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“Now we’re very excited to reveal phase two of our plans with the launch of Whisky & Water which we know will be an amazing addition not just to Blackstock Market but to Liverpool’s hospitality sector too.

“The bar will offer an unparalleled selection of whiskies from Scotland and the rest of the world with something to suit everyone, from firm favourites to some fantastic rare finds for whisky connoisseurs to enjoy.”