Bold Street Coffee has captured the hearts of coffee lovers and breakfast enthusiasts alike. In this article, we’ll explore Bold Street Coffee from every angle — its origins, philosophy, operations, menu, branding, expansion strategies, best practices, and lessons for aspiring cafés. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast, a café operator, or simply curious — this deep dive will satisfy your curiosity and equip you with insights.
What Is Bold Street Coffee?
Bold Street Coffee refers to the specialty café brand that began in Liverpool, UK, and has since expanded to multiple locations in Liverpool and Manchester.
It offers premium coffee roasted in-house (and by guest roasters), a varied food menu (especially an all-day breakfast offering), and a high-ambience café experience. Over time, Bold Street Coffee has positioned itself not merely as a coffee shop but a community hub, with rotating art displays, evening menus, cocktail offerings, and a dedication to local identity.
Key defining features:
Specialty coffee focus: managing its roasting program and rotating guest beans.
All-day food & brunch: signature items like “buoys” (toasted brioche-based sandwiches), cakes, pastries, full breakfast spreads.
Multiple locations & growth: started in Liverpool and now also in Manchester.
Community and cultural engagement: art walls, local collaborations, and adapting offerings over time (e.g. evening menus, cocktails).
In short, Bold Street Coffee is far more than just a coffee shop — it is a brand that intertwines coffee excellence, food, and community energy.
The Origins and Evolution of Bold Street Coffee
Early Beginnings
Bold Street Coffee traces its roots to Liverpool’s Bold Street, an area well known for independent shops, cafés, and creative energy.
Although there is occasional confusion in sources about its founding year (some state 2010, others mention 2012) — the brand has long claimed 2010 as its establishment on Bold Street in Liverpool.
From its first location at 89 Bold Street, Liverpool, the café sought to offer top-tier specialty coffee and all-day breakfast/brunch fare in a vibrant, welcoming environment.
Growth and New Venues
As demand increased, Bold Street Coffee expanded its footprint:
Second Liverpool outlet (The Plaza): In early 2022, Bold Street Coffee launched a second outlet in Liverpool to extend its reach and serve the business district.
Manchester expansion: In December 2021, the brand opened a location on Cross Street, Manchester.
Further Manchester presence: University Green and Spinningfields: In 2022, Bold Street Coffee opened at University Green in Manchester.
Menu innovations: In addition to daytime offerings, Bold Street Coffee launched an evening menu (Thursday–Sunday nights) featuring shareable dishes and cocktails, a move toward turning cafés into hybrid casual dining venues.
The expansion has allowed the brand to reach new audiences while retaining its original identity and values.
Adapting Through Challenges: The COVID Years
During the pandemic, the café responded proactively:
It reconfigured operations to enable takeaway and collection safely.
It launched an online shop with delivery (especially for Liverpool deliveries).
It engaged the local community through rotating art exhibitions tied to causes (such as support for the Anthony Walker Foundation).
This adaptability reinforced customer loyalty and allowed continuity when footfall was uncertain.
Understanding the Bold Street Coffee Business Model
To understand why Bold Street Coffee works, it helps to break down how their business operates — from supply chain to customer experience.
Coffee Sourcing & Roasting
In-house roasting / guest roasters: Bold Street Coffee often roasts their own signature beans and also features guest roaster blends that rotate periodically.
Quality & ethics: They emphasize sustainable sourcing, eco‑friendly packaging, and minimizing waste.
Grinding and calibration: To ensure consistency, grind profiles are adjusted by baristas per machine and per location — a typical specialty coffee standard.
Menu Strategy & Signature Items
Buoys: A Bold Street Coffee staple — lightly toasted brioche buns filled with combinations of eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, and with vegetarian/vegan options.
Breakfast and brunch: All-day dishes such as pancakes, full English-style breakfasts, butties, etc.
Baked goods and pastries: Complementary options including doughnuts and specialty baked items.
Evening menu: They have introduced shareable mains, cocktails, and coffee‑based drinks for evening patrons.
Rotating specials and seasonal items: Seasonal coffees, limited-time menu items, and chef specials keep the offering fresh.
Location Strategy & Store Experience
Multiple venues in strategic areas: Liverpool city centre, business district (Plaza), and effectively in Manchester.
Interior and community feel: Comfortable seating, art walls, gallery-like displays, a relaxed but lively atmosphere.
Extended hours / evening usage: The move to introduce evening menus and cocktails enhances utilization beyond daytime.
Brand identity & local integration: Each venue feels rooted in its context (e.g. art, community partnerships, local identity).
Marketing, Tech & Client Experience
Digital commerce and subscriptions: Bold Street Coffee offers subscriptions for home delivery of beans.
Point-of-sale and mobile payments: In their case studies, they have adopted payment technology (e.g. Apple Pay) extensively.
Online presence and e-commerce: Their website markets their coffee beans, menu, brand story, and sustains engagement even outside physical cafés.
Community & content engagement: Art walls, curated events, local collaborations, and social media amplify the brand.
This integrated approach — combining quality coffee, a carefully curated menu, appealing spaces, and strong brand engagement — is core to Bold Street Coffee’s success.
How to Visit & Order at Bold Street Coffee: A Step‑by‑Step Guide
If you plan to visit or order from Bold Street Coffee, here’s a practical how-to:
Choose Your Location
Bold Street Coffee operates several key locations:
89 Bold Street, Liverpool (Original branch)
The Plaza, Liverpool (Old Hall Street)
Cross Street, Manchester
University Green, Manchester
Spinningfields, Manchester
Check the opening hours (these vary slightly by branch).
Choose Dine-In or Takeaway / Online Order
Walk-in / dine-in: You can visit any branch and find seating (first-come, no reservation).
Takeaway / collection: Especially useful if you’re on the move.
Online ordering / delivery: Use their website or partner services (e.g. Deliveroo / Uber Eats, where available) to order for delivery.
Browse Their Menu
Upon arriving or opening the menu (online/in-store):
Drinks menu: Espresso-based drinks (latte, flat white, cappuccino, americano, etc.), batch brew, iced coffee, tea and occasionally guest blends.
Food / brunch menu: Buoys, butties, pancakes, full breakfast, baked goods.
Evening menu (selected branches and times): Shareable dishes, coffee cocktails, classics (e.g. risotto, scotch egg) and weekly menu changes.
Place Your Order
In-venue: Approach the counter, decide on your drink and food, specify size, milk preference, any additions (syrups, alternative milk, etc.).
Online / app order: Choose branch, select items, indicate preferences, select pickup or delivery slot, pay online.
Subscription orders: For bean subscriptions, set grind preferences, delivery frequency, etc., via your online account.
Receive and Enjoy
If dine-in, your order arrives at your table.
For takeaway, collect at the counter (or curbside where applicable).
Sip, taste, and enjoy the ambiance.
If ordering for home, brewing instructions often accompany the beans.
Tips for Best Experience
Try their signature Buoys — they’re beloved and a defining food item of the brand.
Ask baristas for brew recommendations — they often have rotating coffees and guest roasters.
Visit in non-peak hours for a quieter experience and to savor the ambiance.
For beans subscription, allow flexibility and explore rotating blends.
In evening menu branches, come in after 6 PM to try their small-plates and cocktail options (subject to availability).
Bold Street Coffee: Trends, Innovations & Strategic Moves
As of 2025, Bold Street Coffee has continued evolving amid shifts in the café landscape. Below we explore key trends, innovations, and strategic directions.
Evening Menus & Hybrid Café-Restaurant Models
In 2024, Bold Street Coffee rolled out a Thursday–Sunday evening menu including shareable dishes and cocktails. This move transforms daytime cafés into multi-purpose venues, increasing revenue in off-peak hours.
They also introduced a Bold Street Espresso Martini, integrating coffee and cocktail culture.
The shift reflects a broader trend in the café sector: overlapping cafés and casual dining, leveraging the same space across the day.
Emphasis on Subscription & E-commerce
The bean subscription model became more central post-COVID and into 2024. Customers can now subscribe to regular deliveries of beans (whole or ground), directly via Bold Street Coffee’s online shop.
This builds recurring revenue and extends the brand into customer homes.
Focus on Art, Culture & Community Identity
In 2023–2024, Bold Street Coffee increasingly used its walls and events calendar to feature local artists, rotating exhibitions, and events.
This creates a dual experience: a coffee spot and a cultural gallery, deepening emotional attachment and social media visibility.
FAQs
What makes Bold Street Coffee different from other coffee shops?
Bold Street Coffee stands out due to its strong focus on specialty coffee quality, unique food offerings like their signature “Buoys,” a vibrant community atmosphere with rotating art displays, and its expansion into evening menus with cocktails and shareable dishes. The brand’s dedication to local culture and sustainable practices also adds to its uniqueness.
Where are Bold Street Coffee locations?
Bold Street Coffee has multiple locations primarily in Liverpool and Manchester. Key spots include the original café at 89 Bold Street in Liverpool, The Plaza in Liverpool, and several venues in Manchester such as Cross Street, University Green, and Spinningfields.
Can I order Bold Street Coffee beans online?
Yes, Bold Street Coffee offers an online shop where customers can purchase freshly roasted coffee beans. They also provide a subscription service that delivers beans regularly, with options for grind preferences and delivery schedules.
Does Bold Street Coffee offer vegetarian or vegan food options?
Absolutely. Bold Street Coffee caters to diverse dietary preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options, particularly in their food menu such as plant-based “Buoys” and other breakfast items.
What are the opening hours of Bold Street Coffee?
Opening hours vary by location but generally, Bold Street Coffee venues open early for breakfast/brunch service and extend into the evening on select days for their dinner and cocktail menus. It’s best to check individual branch timings before visiting.
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Final Thoughts
Bold Street Coffee exemplifies how a coffee brand can evolve beyond just serving great coffee to becoming a cultural and community landmark. Its success lies in the seamless blend of quality specialty coffee, innovative food offerings, community engagement, and adaptability to modern café trends — such as evening menus and subscription services.
For coffee lovers, Bold Street Coffee offers more than a drink; it offers an experience — whether you visit its original Bold Street venue in Liverpool or one of its newer Manchester locations. For café entrepreneurs, it serves as an inspiring model for how to build a brand that resonates deeply with customers by intertwining quality, identity, and innovation.
As the café scene continues to grow and shift in 2025 and beyond, Bold Street Coffee remains a leading example of how to stay relevant, vibrant, and beloved. Whether you’re sipping a Buoy or trying their espresso martini, you’re part of a journey that celebrates coffee, community, and creativity.
To read more, Liverpool Daily News
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