Liverpool
NORTHERN ENGLAND
Essential, 8 Minshull St. (237 0077), at the corner of Bloom St. off Portland St. Arguably the most popular club in the Gay Village. Dress smart casual. Cover £3-8. Open F 10:30pm-5am, Sa 10:30pm-6am, Su 10:30pm-3am.
Cruz 101, 101 Princess St. (950 0101). Fun and sexy cruisers teach a lesson in attitude here. Commercial dancers get bodies moving. Dress smart causal. Cover M, W, Th £2; F £3; Sa £5. Open W-Sa 10pm-2am.
Legendary nightlife, a multitude of free museums, and restaurants on every block make Liverpool, hometown of the Beatles, a great destination for travelers. Scousers as Liverpudlians are colloquially known are usually happy to introduce you to their dialect and to discuss the relative merits of Liverpool’s two football teams arrive at Lime Street Station from: Birmingham (l34hr. 2-5 per day, £19); Chester (45min. 2 per hr. £3.40); London Euston (3hr. 10-24 per day, £49); and Manchester Piccadilly (lhr. 2-3 per hr. £7.50). National Express buses ((08705) 808 080) head from Norton Street Coach Station to: Birmingham (2l2hr. 5 per day, £9.30); London (4V4hr. 5-6 per day, £19); and Manchester (lhr. 1-2 per hr, £5). The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ( (08705) 523 523) runs ferries from Princess Dock to Dublin.
The main tourist office, in Queen Square Centre, gives away the handy Visitor Guide to Liverpool and Merseyside, and books beds for a 10% deposit. ((0906) 680 6886; calls charged 25p per min. Open M and W-Sa 9am-5:30pm, Tu 10am-5:30pm, Su 10:30am-4:30pm.) Expert guide Phil Hughes runs personalized Beatles tours (228 4565) for the lucky eight that fit in his van. Surf the Internet for free at the Central Library, on William Brown St. (Open M-Th 9am-8pm, F 9am-7pm, Sa 9am-5pm, Su noon-4pm.) Postal Code: LI 1AA.
A HARD DAY’S NIGHT. Budget hotels are mostly located around Lord Nelson Street, next to the train station, and Mount Pleasant, one block from Brownlow Hill. At ilEmbassie Backpackers , relax by using some of the numerous amenities (including a pool table, three lounges, and a kitchen), or simply sit back for a chat over free toast, tea, or a pint. ( 707 1089. Laundry facilities. Dorms £14 for the first night, £13 for each additional night.) Clean rooms and a relaxing bar await
