The Ivy Liverpool Brasserie

The building

Cockerell designed the bank between 1845 and 1848 as one of the Bank of England's regional branches, and it remained in use until 1987. Its heavy classical facade is one of the finest on Castle Street, a stretch packed with Victorian banking palaces. Eating here is one of the few ways to see inside. Liverpool City Council granted planning permission for the conversion, and the restaurant opened in November 2024.

Eating and drinking

The Ivy brand runs a British brasserie menu across the day, with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, plus a bar for cocktails. It is open seven days a week, which makes it a dependable choice for a weekend brunch or a pre-theatre meal. Expect a brasserie-style dining room with a full bar, aimed at long lunches and dinners rather than a quick bite.

Around Castle Street

Castle Street links the Town Hall to Derby Square and is lined with independent and upmarket restaurants, including Hawksmoor and Gaucho in other old banks. The Albert Dock and the waterfront are around ten minutes' walk downhill. The Town Hall at the top of the street is worth a look, and the Cavern Quarter is a short walk north if you want live music after dinner.

Highlights

• Grade I listed former Bank of England
• Designed by C. R. Cockerell, 1845-48
• All-day dining, seven days a week
• Castle Street's restaurant quarter

Good to know

• Booking is advisable at weekends.

Frequently asked questions