I couldn’t resist stepping outside my usual routine to visit this bar
The cosy glow of the south Liverpool bar (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
On a dark and dreary September evening, it would be hard to miss the warm red glow coming from a shopfront in south Liverpool. That’s if you find yourself going past it at all.
For Toxteth residents, the plethora of dining and drinking spots on Lark Lane which spill onto adjoining stretches of Aigburth Road might leave any suggestion of going beyond the point Garston boundary met with a sigh.
Though on a recent commute home, I cycled past a spot that I couldn’t help but return to. Ignoring the temptation of my usual favourite, The Little Taproom and the twinkling lights of The Fulwood Arms, I carried on past the houses and churches until a small wine bar shone out on my right.
It was the simple charm of this bar that first intrigued me. Painted all black with simple serifed white lettering, Cressington Wine Bar serves wine, cocktails, beers and small plates and has much more to it than meets the eye.
The view into Cressington Wine Bar (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
With two large windows looking onto the street, and emitting a romantic red glow, a few diners sat at tables for two with others dotted and perched on stools at a small bar.
Doubting whether this was the kind of place to walk in without a booking, let alone alone in trainers, I stepped in timidly but was soon put at ease as a waiter showed me to a seating area at the back.
I quickly relaxed as I realised that despite its outside appearance, this cosy bar and kitchen wasn’t solely filled with couples on anniversary dates but with after work drinkers, friends catching up and even someone with a laptop.
Despite its romantic air and restaurant-worthy menu of small plates, this place has retained the casual and unpretentious atmosphere of a café or micropub. What looks like a small venue is much bigger inside and can suit all needs from an after work pint to a first date and there is even a walled beer garden out the back.
Honouring the wine bar element of the venue, I ordered a small glass of red which came in a generous glass for £4 (a large was £8). Orange wines and sparkling wines were on offer too.
I settled in as a singer with an acoustic guitar delivered crowd pleasers and pop hits followed by gentle applause from drinkers in the back.
While the front was alluring the décor in the back was somewhat lacking with fake plastic candles and hanging plants, as well as a view straight into the florescent lit kitchen. Though I can imagine it as the perfect spot for quiet evening with friends or hiding away with a book.
There was more seating further back too plus a beer garden (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
By around 8:45pm things had picked up and the five or six tables in the area where I was sat were filled, mostly with friends in their early to mid 20s filling the space with a warming hum of voices. Considering it was a Thursday, this is clearly a local favourite with the nearest alternative spots being a twenty minute walk in either direction to Craft Vale or Solomon’s Tap Room.
A simple but effective menu of small plates had plenty of easy to share options, a perfect complement to a convivial atmosphere, with a couple of mouth watering main dishes too.
The menu featured baked camembert, fries and hummus and seared salmon (Image: Ray Bonsall/Liverpool ECHO )
Overall, this is a great place to catch up away from the hustle and bustle of the pub scene and is perfect for something a bit more intimate with an all the while welcoming atmosphere. Though next time I’ll be nabbing the window seat.
Cressington Wine Bar can be found at 686 Aigburth Rd, Liverpool L19 0NY.