The Wild West, dusty boots, wide-brimmed hats, and a little ol’ liquor sneakin’ ain’t exactly what folks picture when they think of Liverpool. But sure as shootin’, tucked down a quiet side street behind a plain-lookin’ buildin’ sits an experience that'll pull you headfirst into a rootin’ tootin’ tale like nothin’ you’ve ever known.
And let me tell ya, this ain’t no ordinary rodeo.
*Clears throat* Okay, back to the normal voice — accents aren’t really my thing.
Yes, it’s true. The Wild West has hit the North West, and what can I say? This night was so good I was genuinely sad when it ended.
As part of my friend’s hen do (she’s a huge country and western fan), we booked the Moonshine Saloon experience in Liverpool — and honestly, it’s a must-visit.
From the moment you arrive in the courtyard, where Squeaks the convict from the prison next door is wandering around playing basketball with y’all (okay, one more), to the incredible theming and staff who are fully committed to their roles (even the non-actors), there’s nothing not to love about this immersive adventure.
Once you're ready, you're taken inside to meet Clyde Cassidy and his trusty sidekick. They walk you through the “rules” of the evening and make sure you look the part — because let’s be honest, what’s a saloon without a cowboy hat?
From there, you're ushered into the saloon itself, complete with those classic swinging doors (a very nice touch). Your smuggled-in liquor is handed over to the bar staff, who work their magic and use it to create some seriously delicious cocktails, served throughout the night.
BAM! The Sheriff bursts into the saloon, demanding to know if there’s any moonshine on the premises.
Moonshine? What’s that? Ain’t none of that around here... not that we’d admit, anyway.
But the scandal thickens. Who killed the previous Sheriff — Clyde’s very own father-in-law? Could it have been Clyde himself?
Now, I won’t spoil anything for those who haven’t been, so I’ll leave the mystery right there.
Throughout the evening, the story unfolds through interactions with the characters and short scenes that gradually reveal more about the mystery — just who did it?
What really elevated the immersive experience was the audience participation. There were three groups when we went (hen and stag dos, like us), and in each group, one member — the bride- or groom-to-be — was given a role to play.
Each of them did a fantastic job improvising and fully embracing their character. Our hen was cast as the Madame of the local brothel, and she bravely stood up to the evil Sheriff with a firm “Mind your business, Sheriff!” It was hilarious watching her get so into it, and her back-and-forth with the main characters had us all in stitches.
The whole night draws you in — sometimes without you even realising it. I’ll never forget the moment one of our group pulled a toy gun on one of the characters, who was genuinely shocked. What came over her, we’ll never know… but it was absolutely fantastic.
Overall, I can’t recommend this place enough, and I’m definitely looking forward to heading over to Alcatraz next door — that is, only if I don’t get away with the crime.
Have you been to Moonshine in Liverpool? Or anywhere else around the country? Got any amazing experiences or fun memories from immersive shows? I’d love to hear all about them in the comments below.
Sincerely,
Catherine
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