Mark Ludmon enjoys cocktails and culture at Frederiks, one of the newest bars in Liverpool’s vibrant Georgian Quarter
With its new cocktail menu and a programme of art, music and cinema, Frederiks in Hope Street is building up a buzz in Liverpool. Opened six months ago, it is a late-night bar and restaurant inspired by New York City mixed with sleek Scandinavian style and more industrial east European elements. It has been created by a team of local entrepreneurs who have brought in general manager Filip Kaszubski who has worked in nightclubs and restaurants across the city.
The interior was designed by the owners with Liverpool-based designers led by Miles Falkingham of architecture and design practice FVMA, whose other projects include Liverpool restaurant and events space Camp and Furnace. It features teak panelling, a cosy fireplace and comfortable sofas, set against an original yellow brick Victorian wall down the length of the room.
With a long zinc bar, it has a good selection of craft beers, mostly from the US, from brewers such as Stevens Point in Wisconsin and Roscoe’s in New York. Alongside a short but selective wine list, they have built up a good range of spirits, specialising in rum, bourbon and gin.
After starting out with a limited choice of cocktails, a new 35-strong list has been introduced, offering classics, twists and original recipes created by Filip and the bar team. They have also started making their own gommes and infusions. New cocktails include the Honey Sloe Pony, made with sloe gin, honey vodka and home-made hibiscus syrup, shaken in a jar with muddled berries and then served with a garnish of thyme.
The Liverpool Sling is a twisted classic made with coconut and grapefruit-flavoured Hoxton Gin, pineapple juice, Cherry Heering liqueur and gomme. There is also a twist on an Aperol Spritz, using passion fruit puree, and a Moscow Mule, adding muddled cucumber and ginger and served in a large old-fashioned dimpled glass.
The food menu focuses on small plates with bold, intricate flavours including mac ‘n’ cheese, pulled pork, waffles with maple-bourbon syrup and pretzel-fried spiced chicken, served from midday until 10pm seven days a week. Its signature dish, Oysters Rockefeller, sees the oysters shucked and soused in shallot and white wine reduction then finished with panko, parsley and parmesan crumb before being baked under the grill.
One of Frederiks’ biggest draws is the Pillbox at the rear of the venue – a soundproof events, performance and party space. It has been designed to imitate the World War Two concrete defence posts dotted around the outskirts of the city. Alongside art shows and live music such as jazz and blues, it houses Frederiks Film Club with a purpose-built cinema screen. “We want to present something that is unique and you can’t get in any other bars in the city,” Filip says.
Frederiks, 32 Hope Street, Liverpool L1 9BX
Tel: 0151 708 9574
www.frederikshopestreet.com
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