£7m city centre entertainment complex set for spring opening

Liverpool’s hottest new independent entertainment destination, including the largest regular comedy club space in the world, is set to open its doors this spring.

The new £7m Blackstock Market will boast a wide ranging programme of entertainment, including comedy, music, sporting events broadcast live on a giant screen and a food and drink offer.

The scheme was approved by Liverpool City Council planning committee in November, 2022.

The 60,000 sq ft development is the brainchild of Toxteth-raised brothers Paul and Binty Blair who run the city’s hugely popular, multi award-winning Hot Water Comedy Club.

Now the pair have harnessed their creative vision to transform the former market site, based near Liverpool city centre, delivering another must visit attraction for the city.

Blackstock Market houses four theatre spaces of varying sizes, from a purpose built, state of the art 590-seat auditorium – said to be the largest regular comedy club space in the world – to a 50-seat studio space, along with podcast studios, with the venue becoming a new home for Hot Water and the city’s legion of comedy fans.

The versatile events spaces are aimed at making it the place to go for everything from music, comedy, theatre, exhibitions and quizzes to corporate events and weddings.

A giant rooftop terrace, the largest in Liverpool, will open later this year. And a big screen will show top sporting events live, while special ‘audience with’ shows will feature sporting legend guests.

There is also a range of outlets in a new food market, with eight street food vendors confirmed, including Burgarism, Pattersons, KO Grill, Laros, Paulie’s Pizzeria, North Garden and Deserts by Dre.

And there is a cocktail bar, Parlour, and an elegant Prohibition era-style bar, Whisky & Water, offering more than 300 different whiskies as well as live jazz and blues music.

A self-service beer wall will feature a selection of the best craft beers from Liverpool breweries.

Blackstock Market also proudly sources its hot drink offerings from local suppliers Monkey Board Coffee and the Liverpool Tea Warehouse.

Features within the complex include hidden rooms, a waterfall, and a striking solid steel tree.

The whole site will employ around 100 staff from the local area.

Paul Blair said: “Blackstock Market is set to become the ultimate destination venue in the city’s entertainment and cultural sphere.

“This project has been a labour of love over the past 30 months. With an aim to enrich Liverpool’s arts and culture, Blackstock Market will feature live music from morning till night, and nightly comedy shows, offering a vibrant line-up that includes the Hot Water Comedy Club upon the venue’s opening.”

He added: “Blackstock Market is designed as an inclusive space, welcoming everyone to enjoy its dynamic atmosphere without needing a ticket for entry, affirming its status as a community hub. Open every day and night, we’re dedicated to establishing Blackstock Market as a central pillar of Liverpool’s vibrant cultural and community life.”