Alcotraz Liverpool: An Immersive Cocktail Experience
No, we haven’t misspelled the name of the famous American prison Alcatraz in the naming of this article. Instead, we’re talking about the Liverpool cocktail bar which is punning on the name of the San Fransisco Bay prison and the word ‘alcohol’.
Given the fact that it is all about offering you cocktails in an environment that is reminiscent of a prison, it is quite a good pun, all things considered.
This isn’t just a place to go and get a drink or two, however.
Instead it is a themed bar that includes a theatrical immersive experience, making use of talented actors and allowing you to think that you really are behind bars for a time.
What is Alcotraz?
There is certainly a question about Alcotraz and how likely you are to think it’s value for money when you find out what it actuality is. That is because the cost in 2024 was £42.50 plus a £3.80 booking fee, which some might consider quite expensive before you even realise that you have to take your own alcohol.
In order to give Alcotraz that genuine ‘speakeasy’ feeling, you need to ‘smuggle’ your own booze into the place, which is then mixed with bitters, purees, juices, syrups, liquors and any other ingredients that the mixologists feel are necessary to be able to get something served up for you during your time inside.
Alcotraz operates a ‘closed bottle’ policy, so you will need to make sure that you take along unopened bottles for them to serve you with. The recommendation is that you take 35 centilitres per two people, whilst big groups are encouraged to take as many different drink types as possible.
In other words, you will need to smuggle in your own rum, whisky, gin and whatever else it is that you might fancy drinking cocktails with a base of. There is no alcohol on-site other than what you manage to sneak in for yourself, which is why some people might be a little discouraged at the price when you consider you take your own booze.
It is an Immersive Experience
For those behind Alcotraz, the entire point is that it is an immersive experience.
The experience itself lasts for about one hour and 45 minutes, during which time you will be served approximately four cocktails made to your taste. The entire thing takes place inside a ‘prison’, complete with a warden who is on the look out for anyone trying to smuggle booze into his place of work.
How much you get involved with the story is entirely up to you. If you consider yourself to be a bit of a show off – and let’s face it, this is Liverpool – then you can try out your American accent and throw yourself into the experience, enjoying every minute of it.
@daniellestravelblog I visited Alcotraz so you don’t have to 😄 (such a funny night!!) #fy #viral #liverpool #thingstodoinliverpool #liverpoolfun #liverpoolguide #liverpoolbar #liverpooldrinks #cocktails #liverpoolcity #alcotrazbar #alcotraz #alcotrazliverpool #alcotrazsmuggle #funny #fyp #explore
♬ Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack ELVIS) – Doja Cat
If, on the other hand, you’re a little bit more of a nervous Nelly then you can simply stay out of things and enjoy watching the experience play out around you. The storyline is brought to life by the characters that include the warden, guards and Cassidy, one of the other inmates.
You will be in cells of up to six people, so as long as some of the other inmates that are there alongside you are up for getting involved then the likelihood is that you’ll be able to avoid having to do too much. As soon as you arrive you’re put in an orange jumpsuit, kick-starting the overall experience of life inside Alcotraz, the prison-come-speakeasy that will be the venue for your evening.
What You Need to Know
Other than the price and what the experience involves, there are a few other things that you need to know. Firstly, Alcotraz is an experience that is also based in other cities like London and Brighton, so it is entirely possible that you will have been to one before.
The good news about the Liverpool venue is that it is entirely wheelchair accessible, so if you know any disabled people who might enjoy it then you can include them without any worries. Similarly, anyone in your party that doesn’t drink alcohol will also be catered for, with the mixologists preparing them alcohol-free drinking options with some amazing mocktails on offer.
Although there are actors playing the roles of the numerous people in the immersive experience, it is not a scary one. The actors work to ensure that it is a fun and light-hearted thing for you to do with your time, so make sure that no one treats them disrespectfully.
Make sure that you highlight to the venue if there is a special person in your party, which is likely to be the case if you’re there for someone’s birthday, stag do or hen party. You can also add additional characters onto your booking at checkout if you want to ensure that certain people get even more attention during the course of the overall experience whilst you’re there.
The Alcotraz experience is located at 36 Seel Street, not far from the city centre. If you want to speak to the venue about booking it out privately for a massive event then you can do, whilst smaller groups are also more than welcome. One of the main things to realise is that this is a show with a cocktail list attached, but it isn’t one that includes food.
In other words, as well as doing what you can to sneak your own alcohol past the warden, you also need to ensure that you’ve had something to eat before you head along. If all else fails, you can speak to the crooked guards that will help you find a way to sneak your booze into the prison.
