11 pictures as legendary Liverpool venue The Zanzibar becomes new Irish pub

Take a look inside the former home of the Zanzibar, following its transformation into Liverpool’s newest Irish pub.

The Zanzibar closed in November, with the legendary nightclub and music venue undergoing a major refurbishment.

The site has now been transformed into McNasty’s, which aims “to build on the building’s long-standing musical heritage by offering a fresh platform for grassroots musicians and local talent, in a location where live music continues to play a vital role in the Liverpool nightlife sector”.

Key features the venue include live music, a large all-weather rooftop beer garden, and a dedicated sports viewing area showing football, rugby, GAA and other major sporting events.

- I visited new Liverpool pub at the former home of the Zanzibar - here's what I thought

The downstairs space will host singers and acoustic solo performers, while the upstairs floor will focus more on bands and group acts.

The upstairs bar will also operate as a dedicated sports viewing area, screening Liverpool and Everton matches, alongside other key fixtures throughout the sporting calendar, such as the up and coming 2026 World Cup.

A spokesperson for McNasty’s said: “Seel Street has long been a popular nightlife area of Liverpool and it’s exciting to see the area evolve into what could be considered the city’s ‘Irish Quarter,’ with several well-established Irish bars in close proximity.

- Get the biggest stories from Merseyside in your inbox with Liverpool World’s free newsletter emails

“McNasty’s is proud to join this growing community of venues, bringing its own take on the Irish pub experience.”

A soft opening took place on Saturday (January 31), with McNasty’s set to fully open in early February 2026. It will operate from 3pm to late Sunday to Friday and from 12pm until late on Saturdays.