The Lark Lane & Sefton Park areas most of this was taken from www.larklane.com without asking

Lark Lane:Truly bohemian Liverpool

Present Day Lark Lane

Lark Lane is a quaint, Victorian street in the Sefton Park/Aigburth area, South Liverpool. Its mixture of new and established bars, restaurants, cafes, boutiques and even a gallery, make it a popular spot for a mix of young trendies, bohemians, professionals and the homeless.

A Google Streetview of Lark Lane

Lark Lane News

  • A new shop selling Moroccan trinkets and treasures has opened in Lark Lane in November 2011, with a bistro selling tasty and traditional Moroccan food set to open in around February 2012.
  • The moon and pea has opened a new deli on Lark Lane, great ice cream and cheeses, made to order picnics complete with wicker basket, and home made pie and mash!
  • Low bar, a new rock themed venue has now opened. It is the best to watch football in.
  • Negresco is back open on Lark Lane under new ownership. Fantastic news!
  • In sad news, Mojo the Alsation who was loved by everyone on Lark Lane, has passed away. RIP Mojo.

Lark Lane Restaurants

Que passa cantina 94-96 Lark Lane, Aigburth, Merseyside, L17 8UU. T: 0871 811 4787

For nearly 20 years Que Pasa was a familiar sight at the Sefton Park end of Lark Lane. Now, after a brief interruption (as Sudo), this popular Mexican/South American bar and restaurant is back with a bang. Where else on Merseyside can you get to grips with a selection of over 20 'beers from around the world', 30 fine wines and a range of cocktails! The restaurant menu covers traditional Mexican cuisine. Choose from main courses such as fajitas, burritos and enchiladas, or try some of the delicious variations on a theme such as seafood fajitas or duck enchiladas. There's also a good selection of vegetarian dishes based on these classics. And it doesn't stop there — delicious steaks, burgers and ribs from the grill are packed into the menu alongside South American dishes such as Peruvian clam chowder and a prawn sizzler which is cooked to your table. The cantina itself is very much how you might imagine it to be – wooden floors, exposed brickwork, a stunning real log fire, and some modern art on the walls for good measure. There is also a new beer garden for warmer weather. Que Pasa is open seven days a week — from noon until 11pm weekdays and from 10am at weekends, when breakfast is served until 2.30pm.

  • LOCATION: At the park entrance end of Lark Lane
  • OPENING HOURS: Breakfast & Lunch: 12-2.30 (weekdays), 10-2.30 (weekends). Dinner 5-10 (7 days)
  • CAPACITY: 42
  • WINE LIST: 33 bins
  • SPECIAL DEALS: Free bottle of house wine when you order a 2-course meal for two and mention Sugarvine (or produce a voucher). Available Mon-Wed.
  • VEGETARIAN: Yes
  • CHILDREN: There is a new 'Little Gringos' menu
  • PARKING: On street
  • FUNCTIONS: Group bookings taken. Upstairs function room opens 2006.
  • DISABLED: No special facilities

Marantos 57-63 Lark Lane, Liverpool, L17 8UP T: 0151 727 7200

A menu full of often simple but very tasty dishes, most of which are served with some sort of Mediterranean flair. There’s a good choice of fish, pasta and pizza options, and lovers of meat will enjoy musing over the mouthwatering fare available from the main menu.

Esteban 40 Lark Lane Aigburth, L17 8UU T: 0151 727 6056

An incredibly striking restaurant, the Esteban appears to have fully embraced its Mediterranean theme with surrounding decor that wouldn’t look out of place in a Costa Brava Old Town district. Try the authentic sangria for an extra tapas dimension.

Keith's

Who goes there? Alternative types. Keith's always seems to be busy, no matter what time you care to visit. This is probably because it is popular with students and former students, who have hours of time to kill. It's a great place to go for a chat or to take a loved one because it is so informal. The community feel to the place is evident from when you walk in and see the noticeboard plastered with flyers.

  • The look: Comfortable. Keith's is the equivalent of comfy slippers - informal and familiar. Some might say a little scruffy but what it does have is character in abundance. There are plenty of seats and lots of nooks and crannies at the back to have a more intimate drink

  • What to wear: Wear what you like, although you don't tend to find people wearing tracksuits or sportswear.

  • The sound: Pleasant background music sets the scene - you'll be disappointed if you come here to dance or jump about to house music.

  • The atmosphere: Relaxed. The music does not interfere with conversation and you don't need to raise your voice to be heard. The only downside is that it can take an age to get served at the cramped bar, especially when there are a lot of diners.

The moon and pea 64 Lark Lane, Aigburth, Liverpool, L17 8UU T: 0151 727 6282

The Moon & Pea offers a delightful selection of food in a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere amid pleasant surroundings. Coffee shop by day and bistro by night, the Moon & Pea uses food that is locally sourced, organic and fair trade. Whether you just feel like a coffee or relaxing over a sumptuous meal, head down to the Moon & Pea, you can even take along your own bottle.

Jamaican me hungry 26 Lark Lane, Aigburth, L17 8US T: 0871 963 8514

No prizes for guessing that Jamaican Me Hungry is a new Afro-Caribbean café/restaurant. It’s opened on Liverpool’s Lark Lane and features classic Jamaican dishes like lamb curry, oxtail, jerk chicken, fried snapper, curried goat, akee n saltfish and cook down chicken – all of which are available to eat in or take away along with sides like fried plantain, rice & peas and patties. There’s also a good selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. It’s a relaxed and informal café-style environment with room for 20 diners with most mains priced at around £7.50. You can bring your own booze and there is no additional corkage charge

Romios Romios Greek Restaurant, 20 Lark Lane, Aigburth, Liverpool, L17 T: 0151 727 7252

With its lively ambiance, Romio's has local parking and children's facilities, a function room and a takeaway menu. The restaurant menu includes early bird specials, steaks, fish dishes, vegetarian dishes, special appetizers and an extensive wine list. What more could you ask for?

Elif Turkish BBQ Restaurant 6 Lark Lane, Liverpool , L17 8US T: 0151 728 7362

As the only Turkish BBQ restaurant in Liverpool, Elif serves a range of Turkish specialities direct from an open kitchen with imported Turkish ingredients. Why not visit Elif and try the speciality dish Adana, made from chopped prime lamb, peppers, parsley and chilli.

Chili Banana 2 Lark Lane, Liverpool South , L17 8US T: 0151 726 8641

There’s a very light & airy feel to Chili Banana, even as you walk past the spotless facade and into a cosy little downstairs that somehow feels more compact & bijou than you expected from the outside. Inside, delicious Thai food is beautifully prepared and presented to perfection.

Pistachio Laura Davis spies a new place being fitted out and gives it a try by Laura Davis, Liverpool Daily Post

EVER since I read Anne of Green Gables as a little girl, I have wanted a window seat - like the one in the book - to sit on and watch the world go by. My dad once tried to recreate the experience for me, by shifting the trunk he used to transport his books and clean socks to and from university in the '60s under my bedroom window. Years later, he built me a seaman's-style chest out of wood, but sadly it is too long to fit into my current flat. What my home does have, however, is a living room window that overlooks Lark Lane, so I can peer out at the people walking past on their way to Sefton Park, or to one of the many bars and restaurants on the street.

Recently, the most interesting thing for curtain twitchers to spy on is the fitting out of Pistachio, in the building that used to be Viva, close to the old police station. It opened just before Valentine's Day and, having given it a chance to settle in, I was looking forward to finally getting to check it out. Even a friend's dinner cancellation, having fallen down the stairs and hurting her leg, did not deter the two of us from making our visit as planned. When we arrived, early on a Wednesday evening, the restaurant was empty but by the time we left, a leisurely two and three-quarter hours later, it was filled with diners taking advantage of the bargain Monday to Thursday offer - two courses plus a drink for just £13.95.

This applied to choices from the a la carte menu, with supplements for some dishes, including some of the grills and the chateau briande. Pistachio's menu is far less eclectic than that of its predecessor, but this was definitely a good thing. Where Viva had attempted to serve dishes from all over the world and had, in my opinion, failed to make any of them stand out, Pistachio has a good range of not over-ambitious choices, including plenty of vegetarian options.

  • For a starter, I went for the Trio of Bruschettas (which would have been £3.95 a la carte), which were a mixed blessing. The tomato topping was pleasant enough and in my view you can't really go wrong with melted goat's cheese, but I wasn't wild about the third piece of French bread, covered with what I took to be mushed up broccoli and peas. It reminded me of the mess a child makes when it is trying to avoid having to eat its vegetables, and the salad seemed to be topped with half a red onion. My friend's Minced Lamb and Roast Pepper on Spiced Cous Cous Salad (£3.95) was far more successful. It was like a sort of Moroccan kebab and had a surprising chilli kick which she welcomed.

  • My main course of Lamb Shank (£12.95) won me over again. It was a generously sized piece of meat, cooked to perfection so that it slipped off the bone, served on a bed of bubble and squeak, complete with chunks of bacon in it, and a rich rosemary jus. My companion chose the Duck Breast and Lyonnaise Cabbage (£14.95), that she said was more like a tasty Colcannon mash, and an orange and Cointreau sauce that added flavour without being too overpowering. The dishes were served with a decent portion of boiled potatoes, carrots, baby sweetcorn and mangetout.

  • As a cheesecake fiend, I was pleased to note its appearance on the dessert menu and to learn that the flavour is regularly changed. As the current choice was honeycomb and chocolate (£3.95), I found it impossible to resist. It was gorgeously creamy, with chunks of cinder toffee throughout, and I was prepared to swat away my friend's hand, should she have attempted to steal a forkful. She chose the rather less indulgent homemade pistachio ice-cream (£3.95) which she said was nice, but the nuts appeared to have been toasted first which she felt gave it a strange texture.

As far the new decor . . . the walls are decorated with brown wallpaper in a Victorian-style print, but white ceilings and paintwork have prevented the restaurant from being too dark.

But, after an evening of mainly highs, particularly the friendly service and the way we weren't rushed out after we had finished our meal, we didn't have much to complain about. And you'd have to be particularly picky to whinge about a few details when you get three courses each and four glasses of wine for just over £40.

The New Regent Restaurant 43-45 Lark Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside, L17 8UW T:0151-727 1122

Lark Lane’s only Chinese restaurant which does a great eat-all-you can buffet on Thursday evenings as well as early bird menus several days a week.

The Red Fort Lark Lane, Liverpool, Merseyside L17 8UW. T: 0151 7289728

Tarka dhal is a big favourite of mine and this version was no exception. Nicely spiced with garlic and herbs, the lentils were delightful. The saag aloo was tasty but not overwhelming and the naan was fluffy and not too greasy. Struggling to wade through the banquet we finally realised we had to admit defeat. The staff were pleasant and friendly throughout the meal and the management cleverly sat larger groups celebrating birthdays upstairs while couples and groups of around four were seated on the ground floor. Everything was spotless and pleasantly decorated although slightly unnervingly, the pictures seemed to be bolted firmly into the wall. However, the whole experience, taking in the atmosphere and food was like stepping into another, more serene world. If the curry is set to be crowned Britain's national dish, you can't do much better than sample a piece of little Britain at the Red Fort.

Lark Lane Pubs & Bars

The Albert 66/8 Lark Lane Liverpool T: 0151 727 2575

This fine multi roomed grade 2 listed pub located in the Lark Lane Conservation area. This large Gothic style pub was commissioned in 1873 by Thomas Gibson, Edward Jones and Robert Cains. The exterior is cream and brown whilst the separate rooms have all received individually tailored decoration. The result is a clean attractive environment. The masses of bric-a-brac that previously adorned the walls were auctioned off to raise £2000 for the Marie Curie charity. Now there are interesting photographs of old Liverpool on the walls, including views of the old Mossley Hill village. The side entrance features an attractive mosaic floor tiling.

The real ale range is being expanded with 11 hand pumps available. The aim is to have around 9 beers on, with Cains, Fullers London Pride, Taylors Landlord and Moorhouses Black Cat as regulars, plus changing guest ales such as Hop Back and Adnams. The 11 hand pumps give the opportunity to run pub beer festivals, so watch this space. The pub is in the same group as the Philharmonic in Hope Street, and now offers a similar food menu available 12 - 9 everyday. A good size rear beer garden is now open with high quality tables and umbrellas set around a sand stone block feature. The owned a bowling green at the rear of the pub which has now disappeared for housing development. A further sporting link was snooker tables on the first floor, and these saw televised pre World Championship matches in the 60's and 70's featuring players such as Hurricane Higgins and John Parrot. The pub is handy for buses on Aigburth Road and trains at St Michaels on the Central to Hunts Cross line. Sefton Park is a short distance away.

The Parkfield

Negresco

Vinyl

Aki's

Lark Lane Shops & businesses

Arabesque Bazaar and Bistro

A touch of Moroccan culture has been brought to trendy Lark Lark with the launch of a new independent shop, with a café set to open in February 2012. Arabesque Bazaar and Bistro will dish up authentic cuisine and sell trinkets and treasures imported from the North African country. Mother-of-three Maureen Little has transformed a run-down and vacant residential building into an escape to the wonderful exotic lands 1,225 miles away. From cushions made in Casablanca to mirrors from Marrakesh, the shop stocks a range of hand-made household goods including vintage tribal rugs, woven by the Berber women of Morocco and picked for their quality and original designs. It will also sell clothes including Kaftans, handbags and hats. The bistro, which will feature a seated pavement area on the street, will offer traditional tagine, slow-cooked in the traditional earthenware pot, Moroccan salads, couscous and popular Moroccan drinks such as sweet mint tea. The shop and cafe will open between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Sunday, except Tuesdays when it will be closed. The café hours may extend to 11.00pm early next year. There is no license for selling liquor but customers are welcome to bring their own alcohol to drink for a small corkage fee. Visit www.arabesquebazaar.co.uk

Remains to be seen (Antiques)

The moon and pea deli (Locally produced food)

House of Poland (Hair Salon)

Lark Lane Delicatessen (General store)

Britannia stores (General store)

Casa de Ana (Cafe/General store)

Owned and ran by the Portuguese owner Luis, Casa da Ana is one of the many shops and cafes in the Lark Lane area. Providing all the basics that your typical corner shop provides at typical corner shop prices (and by that I mean much more than Tesco), it is very popular with residents who stop by for a pastry, a coffee and a chin wag.

Sit inside and enjoy the free Internet or take advantage of the limited outdoor seating available – close your eyes and you can pretend you’re abroad (admittedly you have to have a pretty good imagination for this!).

It’s not the prettiest of places but the food is good, the coffee is hot and the service comes with a smile – a great place to chill with the Sunday papers or to grab a light lunch. I’ve asked Luis about the possibility of him serving beer but he said he’s scared of the people it would attract. Since I know him quite well I chose not to take this as a personal attack at my drinking habits and instead tended to agree with him. There are, after all, plenty of watering holes on Lark Lane should you desire a drink of the alcoholic variety.

Technically Casa da Ana isn’t on Lark Lane but it’s near enough!

Global Tattoos OPENING HOURS: MONDAY - SATURDAY 1100-1800hrs T: 0151 727 6779 e-mail [email protected]

Our studio formally known as Fallen Angel Tattoo Studio is based on a quiet side street, we adopt a private and personal intimate policy were customers are encouraged to come in and discuss all of their Tattoo requirements with our team.

  • The small reception area is clean, light and intimate, decorated in an oriental street style whilst maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
  • The surprise in this studio is the large spacious Tattoo area with a graffiti galleried ceiling by award winning street artists.
  • We have a huge selection of tattoo designs available for our customers including japanese, celtic.tribal, new school and traditional.

If our customers are looking for more individual custom designs the artists are more than capable of working from photographs, your drawings/sketchs/ideas etc. for custom work specifically to customers personal requirements.

Phoenix fireplaces

Riverside racing

Cravens Funeral service

Balbero's Kitchen

The Local

Lark Lane newsagents

Mcann's Chemist

E. Callister Upholstery

J & S Booth Upholsterer and French Polisher

Lark Lane Takeaways

Lark Lane Fish & Chips

Fish and Chips, (Next to Romios)

Baguette bite

Lark Lane Tandoori

Take Away Land

Lark Lane Galleries

Lark Lane Characters

Mojo RIP see http://www.larklane.com/mojo.htm

There are many characters on 'The Lane', (as it is known). One of these is Mojo, the indifferent Alsatian. Mojo can usually be seen lying in the doorway of the Lark Lane antiques shop, Remains to be Seen. So used to being around the heady mix of people who frequent the lane, he usually expects you to step over him to enter the shop. When the shop was last painted, Mojo, (as per usual), refused to move, forcing the shop owners to paint around him. The resulting factor ended up being that the dog was also accidentally coated with green paint! If Mojo were to speak to you, surely a recreation of the Radiohead video for the song 'Just' would ensue.

Alas, Mojo has now gone to the great kennel in the sky. So fond were the Lark Lane locals of this unique dogizen of the lane that a large collection has been made for a commemorative plaque on the wall of 'Remains to be Seen'.

This wonderful animal came into our shop, The Amorous Cat Bookshop, every day for a nose and graced our premises with dignity and 'cool'. We miss him tremendously and look back on many happy memories of him. He was always his own man and had a noble and delicate nature.

Lark Lane Farmer's market

4th Saturday of the month - 9.00am - 2.00pm

Transport

Metro: Merseyrail, Northern Line: St. Michael's Station, Buckland Street. 10 minutes walk from the Aigburth Road end of Lark Lane. North from station: Direct access to Southport via Liverpool city centre. South from station: Direct access the Hunts Cross. Change at Liverpool South Parkway for City Line. Change at Liverpool Central Station for Wirral lines to West Kirkby, New Brighton, Ellesmere Port, Chester.

Buses: 82, 82N, Airport shuttle bus.

Comments

Like to Comment on Lark Lane? Please do.

Lark Lane Remembered

Frank Barlow discusses the Lark Lane of old With regard to the History of Lark Lane. My connection was through my Great Aunt (my material grandmother’s sister) who had a greengrocers shop on the corner of Bickerton Street.

The living accommodation was behind and above the shop with a separate front door in Bickerton Street and there were two large wooden gates to give access to the yard behind the accommodation where the van could be housed. Next door, along Lark Lane was the Masonic Public House, which also had a section of the yard, the separation iron railings.

My sister and I were evacuated from 1939 to 1941 so missed most of the bombing but the blackout was still maintained. I well remember coming home from a party at Lark Lane and walking into a pillar-box which had been in the same position for many years.

We often had family parties at Lark Lane and I remember going into the yard where I could see through a window, the occupants of a back room in the Masonic singing dancing and drinking. They appeared to be having a good time and I wished I could join them

V.E. parties were held all over Liverpool but I attended the one in Bickerton Street. A bonfire was built outside Auntie’s gate and in the morning it was discovered that the paint on the doors had all been scorched off and there was a pit in the street where the entire tarmac had been burned away.

After doing my National Service my connection with Lark Lane changed and now centred on the Albert area. In those days the Albert had an upstairs room which contained three snooker tables which were for use by the clients. The snooker room was connected to the bar by a Whistle tube (as seen on old films of Navy vessels). By which drinks could be ordered to be brought up to those using tables.

After a few pints we would cross the road to the milk bar for a coffee. Milk bars were very popular, this one started with the one shop but became so successful that the next door shop was acquired, the wall knocked through and a “U” shaped bar installed.

We would then make our way to the chip shop on the corner of Bertram Road for a bag of chips to eat on the way home. The greengrocer’s shop no longer exists, it has been incorporated as an extension to the Masonic. When bicycles came back onto the market, about 1945 I was given a Raleigh, which was bought, from a shop on the corner of Little Parkfield Road. Some years later Raleigh produced a bicycle called the RRA (Raleigh Record Ace) based on the machine used by the world spirit champion. I used to stand and look into the window and dream that one-day I would be able to afford such a wonderful machine.

Here Lark Lane can be seen in 1982 during filming for a government-funded YPO scheme

Memories from Frank Hughes Lark Lane was the "Hunting Ground " for a group of boy's and myself from the Princes Park area. One of the MOST popular BOY/GIRL meeting places was the Milk bar directly opposite the Albert Pub.

In the early 50's the same group of lads were all in the Merchant Navy ,and having come home from a sea trip we would all make our way to the Albert or Masonic for a few beers followed by a visit to the MILK BAR, (our hunting ground).

The Albert at that time had a men only lounge which had a etched glass door with the OFFICE inscribed on it .The tale told was if you went home late after a drink or two you could tell the Mrs your were working late in the OFFICE . is it still there ?

It was following one of our visits to the "Milkie " I met my wife and now celebrate our 53rd wedding anniversary.

Haile Selassie

Haile Selassie the Emperor of Ethiopia, lived in exile on Waverley road off Lark Lane during WW2. He would walk around Lark Lane with body guards behind. Haile Selassie was viewed as the black messiah who will lead the peoples of Africa to freedom.

George Melly

Top UK jazz singer and larger than life character, George, lived and was brought up in Ivanhoe Road off Lark Lane.

Comments on Old Lark Lane

Like to Comment on Old Lark Lane? Please do.

2009-05-12 15:32:25   Haile Selassie lived in Aigburth? Seriously? Where is the source of this information? —194.83.252.45

2009-05-12 17:01:50   Try Google "It was while he was in exile that the Crown Prince attended Liverpool University." http://www.ethiopiancrown.org/emperors.htm

—Waterways

2009-08-08 19:03:05   i went to the moon and pea deli and bought the most beautiful pie! they are starting to sell pie mash and gravy and i cant wait! xx —212.183.134.210

2011-09-08 22:33:49   www.larklane.com started in 2003 and much of the content of these pages have been stolen from www.larklane.com —www.larklane.com

2011-09-08 22:37:49   Frank Barlow discusses the Lark Lane of old stolen from http://www.larklane.com/history/Frank_Barlow_remembers_lark_lane.htm —www.larklane.comIn responce to Frank Barlow> When i was a lad the fruit shop at the top of Bickerton Street was run by Mr & Mrs Cheers, The bicycle shop was run by Mr Macfarland, Which also re-charged batteries for your wireless. On the other side of Bickerton Street was a chemist shop run by Mr Perkins.

Add tags