Came for the comedy cocks. Wasn’t disappointed. And many ways the Baltic is simply representative of the city. How many new business/office spaces have been built there recently?
Sadly, I think there are still enough run down bits to keep the model going. Melodic Distraction was great in the fabric quarter, so sad it went altogether.
Arguably areas become uncool as soon as the developers give them a fancy made up name (Ropewalks, Baltic Triangle, Ten Streets, Mint Quarter etc). But on a more serious point, these things do go in cycles- I’m old enough to remember when Ropewalks/Concert Square was the cool area of the city, full of creative spaces, independent bars and clubs. It was topped off by FACT being located there. In 5 years the Baltic will still be far busier and in a better state than it was 10 years ago, and the next generation of cool kids (who are probably currently revising for GCSEs) will hang out in a different area
Very disappointed that no-one spotted that there is no such area as the "Mint Quarter" in Liverpool (or anywhere else so far as I can establish) and that I had just made the name up. Should some regeneration expert want to use the name in future (I mentally imagined it as the area around the Women's Hospital by the sweet factory) I will expect due credit!!
I don't think this is that bad but I know exactly the type of article you mean. I've mainly frequented independent venues (Constellations, The Kazimier, Kitchen Street, etc.) during my 15 years in Liverpool but have also never thought this makes me better than people who enjoy a night out on Concert Squared or Wetherspoon for that matter.
Crazy Golf, Bongos Bingo's, Punch Tarneys, Peaky Blinders all made Baltic uncool long before Box Park. Oh there's also all the glossy street art and murals that are pure Instagram bait.
Interesting article…personally I think it’s a good thing and will keep the area busy which can only help other businesses in the area. As for the comedy cocks, I don’t really agree with Sampson on this. The comedy cocks have always been in the Baltic. For example, the Camp and Furnace and Bongos Bingo, always being a massive stag and hen draw. The Baltic Merseyrail station is coming, I have faith in that. As for the ‘Ten Streets’ it is definitely the next ‘cool’ area, loads of apartments being built or have already passed planning. As well as the massive Tabacco Warehouse which is ongoing and EFC stadium, you now have, Blackstock Market, Hot Water Comedy Club, Invisible Wind Factory, The Quarry, and many more little venues, it’s really starting to take off. It can only be a good thing that once desolate waste lands of our city become places of work, rest and play. Even, dare I say it, Liverpool Waters is gathering pace! The city is not on the slide, the city is growing!
Before Camp and Furnace hosted Bongos Bingo it held fine dining events and was peak hipster. The Baltic Triangle, if it was even being called that yet, was really only home to a few cafes and new workplaces, like the original Leaf, Baltic Creative and the amazing but short lived CUC. Like everything, it soon became a victim of its own success.
Came for the comedy cocks. Wasn’t disappointed. And many ways the Baltic is simply representative of the city. How many new business/office spaces have been built there recently?
Sadly, I think there are still enough run down bits to keep the model going. Melodic Distraction was great in the fabric quarter, so sad it went altogether.
Arguably areas become uncool as soon as the developers give them a fancy made up name (Ropewalks, Baltic Triangle, Ten Streets, Mint Quarter etc). But on a more serious point, these things do go in cycles- I’m old enough to remember when Ropewalks/Concert Square was the cool area of the city, full of creative spaces, independent bars and clubs. It was topped off by FACT being located there. In 5 years the Baltic will still be far busier and in a better state than it was 10 years ago, and the next generation of cool kids (who are probably currently revising for GCSEs) will hang out in a different area
Very true about the cyclic nature, over the years I've both felt at home and incredibly out of place on Mathew St, Concert Square and Slater Street.
Very disappointed that no-one spotted that there is no such area as the "Mint Quarter" in Liverpool (or anywhere else so far as I can establish) and that I had just made the name up. Should some regeneration expert want to use the name in future (I mentally imagined it as the area around the Women's Hospital by the sweet factory) I will expect due credit!!
This article smacks of class snobbery not letting in the great unwashed to spoil the cool
Little bit sneering, Guardian-esk take on this topic I think! Just a food and drinks venue.
I don't think this is that bad but I know exactly the type of article you mean. I've mainly frequented independent venues (Constellations, The Kazimier, Kitchen Street, etc.) during my 15 years in Liverpool but have also never thought this makes me better than people who enjoy a night out on Concert Squared or Wetherspoon for that matter.
Crazy Golf, Bongos Bingo's, Punch Tarneys, Peaky Blinders all made Baltic uncool long before Box Park. Oh there's also all the glossy street art and murals that are pure Instagram bait.
Interesting article…personally I think it’s a good thing and will keep the area busy which can only help other businesses in the area. As for the comedy cocks, I don’t really agree with Sampson on this. The comedy cocks have always been in the Baltic. For example, the Camp and Furnace and Bongos Bingo, always being a massive stag and hen draw. The Baltic Merseyrail station is coming, I have faith in that. As for the ‘Ten Streets’ it is definitely the next ‘cool’ area, loads of apartments being built or have already passed planning. As well as the massive Tabacco Warehouse which is ongoing and EFC stadium, you now have, Blackstock Market, Hot Water Comedy Club, Invisible Wind Factory, The Quarry, and many more little venues, it’s really starting to take off. It can only be a good thing that once desolate waste lands of our city become places of work, rest and play. Even, dare I say it, Liverpool Waters is gathering pace! The city is not on the slide, the city is growing!
Before Camp and Furnace hosted Bongos Bingo it held fine dining events and was peak hipster. The Baltic Triangle, if it was even being called that yet, was really only home to a few cafes and new workplaces, like the original Leaf, Baltic Creative and the amazing but short lived CUC. Like everything, it soon became a victim of its own success.
Interesting piece and only time will tell. Like Pedro says everything goes in cycles or as I say what comes around goes around.