Golden sands, radiant sunshine and azure waves – there’s nothing quite like a beach trip on a sunny day. When the weather is just right, it feels like you’re on holiday without the hassle of jetting off somewhere. From the quaint coves in North Wales to the renowned resort of Blackpool, Greater Manchester is within easy reach of numerous beaches. However, one seaside location along the Sefton coast has gained recognition for its unique bar situated directly on the sand.
Crosby Beach boasts an exquisite stretch of golden sand, backed by grass-topped sand dunes and peppered with the famous cast-iron statues crafted by artist Antony Gormley. The beach offers vistas across to the Wirral and North Wales, and due to its closeness to the Port of Liverpool, visitors can observe massive container ships and cruise liners passing by.
In recent years, visitors have flocked to the beach during the spring and summer months to visit The Bus Yard beach bar, conveniently located by the promenade next to Marine Lake, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The bar itself is housed within a converted bus, while the surrounding complex features street-food vendors in repurposed shipping containers, serving up dishes such as Gyros, burgers and loaded fries all made with locally sourced ingredients; and there’s a spacious outdoor seating area.
The upper deck of a bus has been ingeniously converted into a cocktail lounge with stunning sea views, making it the perfect spot to enjoy some of the UK’s most spectacular sunsets at Crosby Beach.
The Bus Yard has become a local hotspot for live music events, contributing to its vibrant holiday vibe. Atmos Musik, a frequent act, took to TikTok to share a clip of a DJ set against the backdrop of a Crosby Beach sunset, prompting L’MLOU to exclaim, “This Liverpool? I thought it was Malibu! ! ! (and I’m from the NW)”.
Simon Ashman left a glowing review on Google, praising the venue: “Brilliant bar set on the front of Crosby Beach where the metal statues are set in the sand. Just the thing after a nice walk or a day out on the beach. Great music, great atmosphere, good food available as well, you can sit and just watch the ships go by, or go with friends and have a great time..”
Katie A also shared her delightful experience: “Lovely pit stop whilst on a walk, great atmosphere with some music playing, dogs are allowed also, staff came around and offered my dog a little biscuit.” She added, “Food was also lovely! We ordered the salt n pepper chicken and chips! I recommend heading down if it’s a nice sunny day!”.
Initially launched as a temporary pop-up under a three-year deal with Sefton Council in 2022, The Bus Yard has now secured a nine-year lease following its renewal this year. It operates seasonally, welcoming patrons from April 1 until September 30. There are a number of parking facilities available at Crosby, including the Sefton MBC Pay and Display Car park (L28 8TA) and the Crosby Leisure Centre Car Park (L23 6SX).
It’s crucial to remember that Crosby Beach is not suitable for swimming, with areas of soft sand and mud and a risk of changing tides. Visitors are advised to stay within 50 metres of the promenade at all times and not attempt to walk out to the furthest statues.