Accessible Liverpool: Radio 1's Big Weekend Guide
Jennie Berry
•
May 22, 2025
In May 2025, one of the biggest music festivals in the UK took over Liverpool’s Sefton Park. BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend brought tens of thousands of fans to the city to see headliners like Sam Fender, Tom Grennan, and Natasha Bedingfield.
Unlike many other large scale festivals, this event did not include on-site camping. This meant that festivalgoers spent their time exploring the city, grabbing breakfast in local cafés, and soaking up Liverpool’s world-famous culture. For disabled attendees, the success of the weekend depended on knowing which of these local spots were truly accessible.
To support this massive influx of visitors, Sociability teamed up with Culture Liverpool and Liverpool ONE. Our goal was to map the city’s most iconic areas to ensure that accessible places to visit were easy to find and trust. Even though the festival has moved on to its next location, the accessibility data we collected remains a permanent resource for anyone visiting Liverpool today.
Sociability's Work in Liverpool
At Sociability, our mission is to make the world easier to explore for everyone. We provide a mobile and web platform that offers detailed, reliable, and user-friendly accessibility information. This includes verified photos and structured data covering mobility, sensory, visual, and hearing requirements.
We have mapped over 150 venues in Liverpool. By working closely with our partners at Liverpool ONE, we have made citywide accessibility information a reality. Be sure to check out our guide to Liverpool ONE here.
For the Big Weekend, we expanded our reach into two of the city’s most culturally rich neighbourhoods: Penny Lane and Lark Lane. These areas are close to Sefton Park and are packed with hospitality venues. They remain the perfect hubs for anyone looking to enjoy the best of Liverpool with confidence.
Why Penny Lane and Lark Lane?
Both areas are close by to Sefton Park and packed full of hospitality venues, making them ideal hubs for festival-goers looking to grab a bite, meet friends, or enjoy a quieter moment away from the crowds.
Whether you're heading out for brunch before the gates open or continuing the party with dinner and drinks afterward, Penny Lane and Lark Lane offer it all, and now, with accessibility front of mind.
Top Accessible Picks: Penny Lane
Bean There Coffee Shop
This warm and welcoming café is a perfect pitstop for your morning caffeine fix. It features step-free access, a wheelchair accessible bathroom on-site, and clear signage. This makes it an ideal spot for wheelchair users and those with specific sensory requirements. If you are visiting, keep in mind they open at 8am and close at 5pm sharp.
Tavern Co
The Tavern Co is a fantastic choice for a late-night drink or a casual dinner. It offers a ramp available upon request and an accessible toilet. With various seating options and a warm local atmosphere, it is a great place to start or end your day in Liverpool. They also regularly host open mic and comedy nights, so be sure to check their mid-week schedule.
Festival-Friendly Finds: Lark Lane
Gran Caffe
You do not want to miss this Italian café if you are looking for freshly baked pastries and authentic Italian treats. Serving the community from 8:30am, the staff are on hand to assist with a ramp available upon request. They also offer a spacious wheelchair accessible bathroom on-site. Whether you are grabbing a quick coffee or sitting down for a full breakfast, this is a true hidden gem in the heart of Lark Lane.
Milo Lounge
If you are looking for a traditional and welcoming Liverpudlian spot, Milo Lounge has you covered. It features a step-free entrance, an accessible toilet on-site, and a step-free beer garden. It is a brilliant example of how a popular local venue can implement accessibility best practice to ensure everyone feels included in the social scene.
How to Find the Right Place, Instantly
All the venues mentioned - and many more - are listed on the Sociability app, which is free to use and always will be. Just search by area or venue name to see detailed access information, including:
Entrances
Indoor and outdoor areas
Toilets
Visual, Hearing, and Sensory Aspects
Photos to help you prepare in advance
We built Sociability to promote real independence, empowering disabled people to make their own informed decisions in real time - whether you’re navigating a new neighbourhood or revisiting your local area.
FAQ: Accessibility in Liverpool
1. Is the accessibility information for these venues still accurate?
While venues can sometimes change their layouts, the Sociability app is a live platform. We encourage our community to provide updates. The detailed photos on each profile allow you to see the space for yourself before you visit, giving you the ultimate peace of mind.
2. How do I find more accessible places to visit in Liverpool?
You can download the Sociability app for free. Simply search for "Liverpool" or filter by specific areas like "Penny Lane" to see thousands of verified data points across the city.
3. Was this project only for the music festival?
No. While the festival provided a great reason to accelerate our mapping, the information is a permanent gift to the city. It supports disabled residents, elderly visitors, and parents with prams every single day.
4. Can I see photos of the bathrooms before I go?
Yes. One of the core features of Sociability is that we provide photos of the facilities. We know that "accessible" can mean different things to different people, so we let you see the grab rails and space for yourself.
Accessibility is for Everyone
Whether you are a disabled visitor, a parent with a pram, or someone supporting a friend with access needs, Sociability is here to help you explore with confidence. The work we did for the 2025 Big Weekend was about more than just a festival. It was a celebration of culture and community connection.
Together with Culture Liverpool, we are proud to have helped make sure that everyone can take part in the city’s vibrant social life.
Ready to explore the city?
We would love to hear your thoughts on this post. Planning a trip? Download the Sociability app to find accessible cafés, bars, and restaurants that meet your specific needs in seconds. You can also join our community and follow us on Instagram for the latest inclusive spots!
To take your advocacy further, sign up for our free newsletter, Beyond Compliance. We provide practical tips to help you champion accessibility in your workplace and everyday life. We look forward to seeing you there!
