A new entertainment venue that combines competitive baking with a social atmosphere is set to open its doors in Liverpool on October 23. The Big Bakes, an award-winning concept already popular in other major UK cities, will launch its new location at 60 Old Hall Street, offering a unique activity for friends, families, and colleagues.
The venue, known as The Big Liverpool Bake, has gained a following for its timed baking challenges and has previously attracted a number of high-profile celebrities to its other locations, including YouTuber KSI and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett.
Key Takeaways
- A new competitive baking venue, The Big Bakes, opens in Liverpool on October 23.
- Located at 60 Old Hall Street, it features 12 baking stations and a cake-themed cocktail bar.
- Participants compete in pairs during a 90-minute session to create a themed bake.
- The concept is popular with celebrities and has existing venues in London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Liverpool Welcomes Unique Baking Challenge
Liverpool's leisure scene is expanding with the arrival of The Big Bakes, a company that provides an immersive baking competition for the public. The new venue is situated in the city centre on Old Hall Street and is designed to cater to all skill levels, from complete novices to experienced home bakers.
The company has established a successful model in London, Birmingham, and Manchester, and its expansion into Liverpool marks its fifth location. The opening brings a new type of social and team-building activity to the city.
Adam Chaudhri, the co-founder of The Big Bakes, commented on the decision to open in the city.
“We’ve been dreaming about Liverpool for a while now, and we’re absolutely thrilled to be opening The Big Bakes here. The city’s energy is electric with such a strong sense of community, and we’re delighted to bring everyone something new and fun.”
He added that the experience is designed for people who enjoy a friendly challenge. “We know Liverpudlians love to get stuck in and have a laugh, and that's exactly what our baking experience is all about,” Chaudhri said.
Inside The Big Liverpool Bake
The core of the experience takes place within a large baking marquee equipped with 12 individual baking stations. Each station is fully supplied with all the necessary ingredients, tools, and a recipe, allowing participants to start baking immediately.
The format is straightforward: guests work in pairs and have 90 minutes on the clock to complete a specific baking and decorating challenge. At the end of the session, a winning team is chosen based on their creation.
Competition Format
- Time Limit: 90 minutes
- Team Size: Pairs
- Stations: 12 fully equipped baking bays
- Provided: All ingredients, equipment, and instructions
- Outcome: One winning team crowned per session
To keep the experience fresh, the baking theme changes every month. For its grand opening on October 23, The Big Liverpool Bake will launch with a seasonal 'Monster Cake' theme, perfectly timed for Halloween festivities.
A Celebrity-Approved Outing
The Big Bakes has built a reputation not just for its unique concept but also for its popularity among celebrities and influencers. This has helped raise its profile and establish it as a sought-after leisure activity.
Famous faces who have previously participated at other locations include:
- YouTube personalities KSI, the Sidemen, Chunks, and Betasquad
- Fitness expert Joe Wicks
- Entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett
- Singers Fleur East and Paloma Faith
- Podcaster and media personality GK Barry
This track record suggests the Liverpool venue could become a new hotspot for social outings, from date nights and birthday parties to corporate team-building events and hen dos.
More Than Just a Baking Tent
Beyond the competitive element, the venue at 60 Old Hall Street aims to be a complete social destination. A key feature is its cake-inspired cocktail bar, offering a themed menu of drinks for participants and guests to enjoy before or after their baking session.
Growing Trend of 'Competitive Socialising'
The Big Bakes is part of a growing trend in the leisure industry known as 'competitive socialising'. This concept combines a traditional activity, like darts, mini-golf, or in this case baking, with a food and beverage offering in a social, competitive environment. These venues have become increasingly popular for group outings as they provide a more interactive alternative to a standard bar or restaurant visit.
The combination of a hands-on activity, a competitive edge, and a social bar area is designed to appeal to a wide audience. The company promotes the venue as an ideal choice for a variety of occasions, including a casual day out with friends or more structured group events.
The Big Liverpool Bake officially opens to the public on Wednesday, October 23, with bookings for the 'Monster Cake' theme now available.