The team behind the popular Black Cat bars on Smithdown Road and Rose Lane has confirmed the opening of its third location in Liverpool city centre. The new venue will occupy the former Crazy Pedro's site on Parr Street and is scheduled to open to the public during the weekend of October 17.
Co-owner Andy Scott revealed that the new bar will incorporate elements of its predecessor while introducing the brand's signature offerings, including craft beer, cocktails, and a new pizza menu in partnership with a local pizzeria.
Key Takeaways
- Black Cat will open its third venue on Parr Street, in the space formerly occupied by Crazy Pedro's.
- The official opening is planned for the weekend starting October 17.
- The new bar will feature a pizza menu from Garston-based La Musa.
- Design changes include preserving the memory of the old graffiti and retaining the popular roof terrace.
- The venue will operate from 2 pm daily, serving as a coffee shop and workspace before transitioning into a bar.
A New Era on Parr Street
Black Cat, a well-established name in South Liverpool's hospitality scene, is expanding into the city centre. The brand, known for its craft and cask beers, already operates two successful sites on Smithdown Road and Rose Lane.
The opportunity arose following the closure of Crazy Pedro's in December of last year. The owners, Andy Scott, Chris Welsh, and Rich Midgley, decided the prominent Parr Street location was an ideal spot for their third venture.
"We were already looking at opening a third place but we were thinking of staying with suburban," Andy Scott explained. "We didn’t really have any aspirations to do anything in the city centre until this came up and we thought we’d give it a go."
From South Liverpool to the City Centre
Black Cat first opened on Smithdown Road in 2017, quickly building a reputation for its relaxed atmosphere and quality drinks. The second location on Rose Lane followed in May 2023. This move to Parr Street marks the brand's first foray into Liverpool's bustling city centre, joining a vibrant scene of independent bars.
Honouring the Legacy of Crazy Pedro's
The former Crazy Pedro's was famous for its interior, where patrons were encouraged to leave their mark by writing on the walls. The new owners have decided to pay tribute to this unique feature.
"The whole place was covered and even though we’ve repainted we wanted to pay homage to that," said Scott. "The manager at Smithdown, who’s also a photographer, came in and took photos of lots of the old interesting graffiti."
These photographs will be framed and displayed inside the new venue. "We’re framing all the photos of how it used to look so people can spot their old graffiti, it’s not gone forever," he added. This gesture ensures a part of the location's history is preserved for returning customers.
Redesigned Interior and Atmosphere
Another distinctive feature of the previous bar was its ceiling, which was covered in band posters. The Black Cat team has updated this with a different aesthetic.
"They also had loads of cool band posters on the ceiling, so we’ve changed that slightly and papered it with old book pages so it’s like a grown-up Pedro’s," Scott noted. The aim is to create a more refined yet comfortable environment.
To enhance the venue's daytime appeal, the team has also made structural changes. A large bricked-up window at the back of the ground floor has been uncovered, allowing natural light to fill the space.
New Food and Drink Offerings
While Black Cat is known for its drinks, the Parr Street location will have a strong food focus thanks to a new partnership. The team has collaborated with La Musa in Garston to develop a dedicated pizza menu.
The connection comes through chef Diogo, who previously worked at Little Furnace, a popular pizzeria located next to Black Cat's Smithdown Road bar. "Their pizza is amazing so we’re very happy to have him here because we think it’s just a really good match," Scott said.
The bar will also continue its popular promotions, including Marg Mondays, a successful event at its other two locations that is expected to attract customers to the new city centre spot.
Venue Features and Events
- Food: Pizza menu created in partnership with La Musa of Garston.
- Terrace: The sun-trap roof terrace will be retained, with future plans for a dedicated bar and DJ.
- Events: A resident DJ from S**t Indie Disco on Fridays, a weekly quiz on Tuesdays, and live sports on a big screen.
- Hours: Open from 2 pm daily for coffee and remote working, transitioning to a bar in the evening.
Joining a Thriving Craft Beer Scene
The new Black Cat is situated in an area of the city centre that has a growing reputation for quality pubs and bars. The owners are excited to become part of this community.
"There’s a great craft and cask scene down that end of Slater Street now with the likes of St Peter’s Tavern, The Monro, and the Red Lion," Scott observed. He acknowledged the different dynamic of a city centre location compared to their suburban venues.
"Town’s a different beast to what we’re used to so it’s really exciting," he concluded. The team plans to retain the popular roof terrace, with ambitions to install a bar and DJ booth in time for next summer, further cementing its place as a key destination in the Ropewalks area.