
Quick info
About Ex-Directory
Ex-Directory is a subterranean cocktail bar at 8 Vernon St in Liverpool, entered through a hidden door that guests push inwards from the right side. The menu pairs classic cocktails with photo-themed drinks, and the "papped" cocktail arrives with a Polaroid photo. A bath-themed cocktail has guests pour their own shot, and the Capri-Fun is also on the list. The underground room is not huge, with dim lighting and a few quiet corners. Music plays throughout, and live music is part of the mix. Entry is by booking only, made online with a deposit.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention hidden speakeasy entrance, creative quirky cocktails, polaroid photo experience and capri-fun cocktail.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention hidden speakeasy entrance, creative quirky cocktails, polaroid photo experience and capri-fun cocktail.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the quirky, creative cocktails, with several calling them delicious and one saying a critical partner ranked them among the best he had tried. The hidden entrance comes close behind, described as a secret speakeasy door that makes the visit feel special. Staff are repeatedly called lovely and friendly, and one reviewer says they catered to a special request. Others mention a good mix of music, live music on a quiet Sunday, and a Polaroid photo that comes out blurry. Lights are called too dim for pictures. Opinion on price splits: some find the drinks reasonably priced, while others call them expensive. One says a Capri-Fun cocktail arrived half full and another found the drinks not very alcoholic. A few describe slow service, with staff hard to catch for another drink or the bill. One reviewer who ordered the papped cocktail and a bath themed one felt the photo timing and the shot pour were not as promised.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the quirky, creative cocktails, with several calling them delicious and one saying a critical partner ranked them among the best he had tried. The hidden entrance comes close behind, described as a secret speakeasy door that makes the visit feel special. Staff are repeatedly called lovely and friendly, and one reviewer says they catered to a special request. Others mention a good mix of music, live music on a quiet Sunday, and a Polaroid photo that comes out blurry. Lights are called too dim for pictures. Opinion on price splits: some find the drinks reasonably priced, while others call them expensive. One says a Capri-Fun cocktail arrived half full and another found the drinks not very alcoholic. A few describe slow service, with staff hard to catch for another drink or the bill. One reviewer who ordered the papped cocktail and a bath themed one felt the photo timing and the shot pour were not as promised.
Featured reviews
- Jorja Ainscough
“The concept of this bar is sooooo cool and it has the chance to be great but it’s so far from that. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that it was early and not very busy however, the drinks were crazy expensive and did not taste very alcoholic. Could have gotten the mocktail and a shot would have been more worth it 😭 The staff were so unenthusiastic and could hear them talking at the bar the whole time why was the music not louder???? Ordered the ‘papped’ cocktail was under the impression we woudk get the cocktails and have a photo with them? not just randomly have a photo before hand, and my partner ordered the bath themed one and didn’t get to pour the shot herself that was part of the experience ? very disappointing since you have to book to get in. Was supposed to be the highlight of our date instead felt ripped off and left laughing in disbelief lol. Don’t blame the staff must be a boring job 😿”
- Dominic Gray
“Cool place, the best part is the entrance. Cocktails were nice and had some flair”
- Brooke Mary
“Visited last night with my boyfriend, vibes were good and drinks tasted nice. Very instagrammable girly vibe, however when I got my Capri-Fun cocktail it seemed to be half full. For the price of the drinks I’d definitely expect a full drink. Service was quite slow as you have to wait for someone to notice you each time you want a drink/the bill and staff members were sometimes nowhere to be seen. Could also do with some more options for beer drinkers!”
- Shannon Hunt
“Resisted this cocktail bar for my birthday after falling in love when we came last year! Lovely cocktails decently priced! As we visited on a sunday it was rather quiet, they did have some lovely live music.”
- Leila Lang
“If I could give it more I would. The cocktails were amazingly creative and tasted amazing, and the staff were so lovely and accommodating. They catered to a special request I put in and it really made the night special, would love to visit again”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Classic and imaginative cocktails fixed up in an intimate, subterranean space with an upbeat vibe.”
- Great cocktails
Amenities
- Cozy
- Great cocktails
- Restroom
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upscale
Show more amenities
- Groups
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
Location
Bars near Ex-Directory
- Shenanigans4.61,1700.1 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
pint of Guinness, rooftop beer garden, live singer
- Ye Hole In Ye Wall4.61,3490.1 miWheelchair accessible
pub history stories, oldest pub in Liverpool, Guinness
- The Grapes4.31,6100.2 mi£10–20Wi-Fi
karaoke nights, pint of Guinness, Beatles history
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ex-Directory | 4.2366 | — | £10–30 | hidden speakeasy entrance, creative quirky cocktails, polaroid photo experience |
| ShenanigansReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.61,170 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | pint of Guinness, rooftop beer garden, live singer |
| Ye Hole In Ye WallWheelchair accessible | 4.61,349 | 0.1 mi | — | pub history stories, oldest pub in Liverpool, Guinness |
| The GrapesWi-Fi | 4.31,610 | 0.2 mi | £10–20 | karaoke nights, pint of Guinness, Beatles history |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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