Tailgate, a four-week food and drink festival coming to Liverpool bar and social space The Roof Project this autumn.
The Roof Project, which opened in the spring of 2023, quickly established itself as one of the city’s most innovative and creatively led spaces.
It’s the cooler younger brother to the PINS Social Club venue on the floors below, located three storeys up and accessible from Gradwell Street.
The Tailgate Food and Drink Festival, presented by Buffalo Trace Bourbon, takes place over four weekends from Thursday, 21 September to Sunday, 15 October, and features takeovers by a number of the North West’s leading bars, restaurants and craft breweries.
Buyers Club, a Hardman Street eatery known for its exceptional pasta, will kick off the inaugural event on the first weekend of September, 21 – 24. Hot Mess Pizza Company will be slinging their trademark Detroit-style pizzas from the Baltic Triangle, while Northern Monk Brewery will be making the trip over from Leeds with a selection of their favourite beers.
The Roof Project welcomes Indian street food and craft beer fans Bundobust on the weekend of September 28 – October 1.
With locations in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham, alongside their own brewery, the team will be serving spicy bites and cold beers to the roof. Expect classics including the iconic Vada Pav (a spiced potato patty burger), Bundo Chaat and Panner Tikka alongside a range of cold and crispy beers.
Cult sandwich and coffee deli Dereks joins Tailgate on the following weekend 5-8 October. Famous for their Brooklyn inspired subs, they’ll also be bringing their giant sub challenge to the event. Dereks are joined by Liverpool craft brewers (and keen DJ’s) Carnival, who produce a wide range of beer styles from juicy IPAs to Pilsners & Stouts including Carmen, Urban Shaker and On The Trail, and will also be taking to the decks.
Tailgate closes with a bang on the final weekend of 12-15 October with two Baltic heavyweights, Polpetta – an Italian-inspired kitchen and deli was founded by chef Joel McCarthy and UFC champion Molly McCann. They’re joined by Black Lodge Brewery who also brew The Roof Projects own-label craft ale ‘Up on the Roof.’
The four weekend takeovers each start with a ticketed Supperclub event on the Thursday evenings, where each event partner cooks their best-loved dishes, accompanied by a beer flight, talks and live music.
The remaining weekend days, Friday to Sunday are free entry and open to table bookings and walk-ups, with DJs and live music, rounding off with a Barrel Drain party on each of the Sunday nights.
Speaking about the event, PINS and The Roof Project co-founder Dan Gillbanks said:
‘We’re very excited to launch this brand new concept – a food festival three floors up, in the heart of Liverpool!
It’s been great to partner with some of the region’s most popular food and drink operators and producers, and welcome them to The Roof later this month.
I’m personally looking forward to the Thursday Supperclubs where you can meet the chefs and brewers, and of course eat some great food accompanied by amazing craft beers.”
Tickets to the Tailgate Supperclubs on each of the Thursday nights are limited and can be bought in advance from here. (Early birds are £20pp with full release at £30.00pp.)
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