McGuffie’s
Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
Located on Castle Street, one of Liverpool’s food and drink hubs, is McGuffie’s, or McGuffie & Co, as is its proper name. This utterly charming bar (although you could mistake it for a tiny pub) proudly carries the building’s history on its branding and throughout the impressive drinks menu.
Back in the 18th century, the site of today’s McGuffie’s was a chemist (perhaps the word apothecary would be more fitting, with brown bottles and metal scales to help you picture it) and this atmosphere can still be felt today, although the potions and tinctures being served there today may not do your head any favours the next day. It ran as a pharmacy for 200 years, before closing down and becoming a leather good shop and then a mobile phone shop which, honestly, is impossible to imagine looking at it today. Thankfully, it was brought back to its former glory and is once again operating under the McGuffie’s name.
Before you enter, you’ll notice a large outdoor area, popular in all weather due to its location and potential for people watching – Castle Street does have remarkably wide pavements so bars and eateries make the most of it with tables and benches in the sun. The interior is dark and cosy, so much so that you might even think it’s closed as you walk past. Fear not though, as the darkness contributes to its magic, warm and mysterious in equal measure.
The menu provides enough choice for cocktail lovers, featuring well loved classics with a few surprises as well as a selection of wine and beer. Even the coffee is good, with beans supplied by local roasters Neighbourhood Coffee. You can tell the staff know what they’re doing too – a good bartender’s apron immediately makes you trust whoever’s handling your liqueur.
