IN just 25 minutes exactly from boarding the train at Lea Green train station I was able to reach Albert's Schloss in Liverpool for a night of food, cocktails and live music and here is all you need to know.
Without the fast train, trips to Liverpool have always been straight forward, however the now hourly Trans Pennine Express from Lea Green means journeys to Liverpool Lime Street can be as short as 12 minutes, and with just a 15-20 minute walk on arrival to Albert Schloss (which is over the road from Liverpool Central so you could take the underground one stop over) it’s even easier.
As parents to a three year old with boundless energy me and my partner snapped up the chance to review a meal and night of entertainment at Albert's Schloss, the venue synonymous with Bavarian bier, baked goods and great food.
We’ve been before for breakfast (highly recommended) and visited the Manchester site (pre child) for dinner but to visit the Liverpool one of an evening and secure baby sitting was an incredibly rare and very much needed treat.
On arrival last Friday night we could see the central section of drinkers was bustling with tables filled with patrons enjoying the delicious beers and cocktails on the menu.
We were however shown to a lovely booth close to the stage where we ordered Alpine Croquettes, Crispy Pork Belly, a homemade has pretzel with jalapenos with cheese dipping sauce and pickles on the side.
While we enjoyed those we were given the choice of the drinks menu and my partner enjoyed a cold Pilsner Urkel while I (being four months pregnant) sadly had to choose a mocktail, but the Strawberry Sour was very refreshing.
A singer took to the stage performing no end of tracks that seamlessly blended into each other starting initially with David Gray’s Babylon before eventually ending up with Oasis’ Champagne Supernova and more.
The relaxing atmosphere was aided by the excellent waiting staff who brought us or main of beef bourguignon and chicken schnitzel both of which were delicious. It was so filling I couldn’t finish mine and wish I’d bagged the leftovers and brought it home like my nan would.
The atmosphere of the venue is second to none, for those not familiar it’s a large open space with a stage to the left, separated seating around the sides of the venue and a large bar in the centre, like a bierhall in Germany.
Two large fire pit tables are at the vene with bench and stool tables dotted around giving a relaxed atmosphere to drinkers.
The venue also boasts a photobooth downstairs and the ladies’ bathrooms features a very popular disco toilet with two toilets inside so besties can go together in style. The queue for this was quite long but a glimpse at the venue’s social media will show you how popular this can be.
Despite being full we ordered two more drinks, my partner ordered our favourite drink – a spicy margarita, which I was very jealous about and I ordered an Alpine Spritz, a very convincing dupe for the ever popular Aperol Spritz, with all the flavour yet none of the booze.
From 9pm the fantastic musician finished his set and a keyboardist/singer and drummer took to the stage which saw some punters dancing and livened up the atmosphere further.
We pushed ourselves to order desserts, desperate for our rare child free night not to end and I ordered the incredible, been-dreaming-about-it-ever-since Apfel Strudel which was amazing and my partner ordered an equally delicious brownie.
The night was a hit and if it wasn’t for annoying train cancellations the plan was to be home in less than 30 minutes on the express, as it was we were halted in Huyton until Northern Rail managed to sort out a signalling error and we were merrily on our way.
Nevertheless, with many venues available in Liverpool offering different experiences to those on offer in St Helens and nearby, it’s great that in such a short journey you can be at a restaurant with plenty on offer for all dietary requirements but most of all with a great vibe and delicious food I’m craving a week on.
To book go to albertsschloss.com/location/liverpool
(Image: Albert's Schloss review)
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