The arts centre has given its cafe bar offering a revamp
Culture vultures and cocktail lovers rejoice. A new dining concept launches at FACT Liverpool today (Monday 7 November) from the folks behind Bitter Social, Taco or Don’t and Legs Wine.
Expect a relaxed, welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, as well as exciting events such as supplier suppers and artist interventions.
As a taster of what to expect, The Canteen hosted an introductory five-course menu at Ropes & Twines last weekend, who described it as “a fresh, innovative dining concept that embraces a super casual wine or dine approach.” Tell us more.
Taking over FACT’s ground-floor café space, The Canteen will be serving up contemporary British food from day into night. Take a break between exhibitions to enjoy fresh juice, coffee and light dishes or enhance date-night by grabbing a pre-show bite and glass of natural wine. Order two hours before your ticketed FACT event or Picturehouse screening to claim a tasty 10% off your entire bill.
FACT says its new dining experience is authentic to the city, with amazing produce sourced from independent suppliers. “Expect a relaxed, welcoming and family-friendly atmosphere, as well as exciting events such as supplier suppers and artist interventions,” says the blurb.
FACT opened in 2003 and boasts three large art galleries, four cinemas, a media and events space, a lab for learning and experimentation and a bar. Both the cinema and first floor bar are managed by Picturehouse.
FACT’s ground-floor cafe has at times felt like a missed opportunity. The Garden at FACT was a successful collaboration with LEAF, who deffo know a thing or two about running venues. But that partnership was another victim of the COVID-19 fallout, with FACT announcing in July 2020 that The Garden would not be returning after lockdown.
Riposo opened in October 2021 but closed just under a year later. In September this year, FACT announced that it was looking for a new operator for its 1,043 sq ft ground-floor space. Enter The Canteen and, hopefully, a new era for FACT. A first look at the website and menus are split into Day, Night, Cocktails and Wine. So far, so good.
The day menu includes aperitifs (mimosa, garibaldi, bloody mary), hot and cold drinks, toasties, sandwiches, soup and salads. By night, there’s a selection of small plates, including vegan ratatouille, barley risotto, aubergine fritter, lamb koftas and nduja dumplings. You’ve also got the likes of gordal olives, Pacific rock oysters and a charcuterie board. Or skip straight to desserts with daily cheese and accompaniments, treacle sponge, “poached plum, hazelnut, zabaglione” and Irish coffee.
Cocktails are all a tenner and include an old fashioned, negroni, martini, gimlet, Tommy’s margarita and East 8 Hold-up. There’s a Canteen lager, Goose Island Midway IPA, and rotating craft beers. As you’d expect with Legs Wine involved, the vino list is on the ball and made with little to no intervention; choose from white, rose, red, bubbles, and a couple of orange wines to boot.
The Canteen is open Monday to Thursday 11am-9pm; Friday to Saturday 11am-11pm; Sunday 11am-9pm. Follow them on Instagram: The Canteen FACT.
The Canteen, FACT Liverpool, 88 Wood St, Liverpool L1 4DQ
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