Ça Va opened in 1995 and became a fixture in people’s night out
Ça Va opened in 1995 and became a fixture in people’s night out
A once popular Liverpool city centre bar which was the first stop on a student night out has remained untouched since its closure. Tequila bar Ça Va, located on Wood Street, shut its doors three years ago, and despite its prime location and lively past, it is yet to welcome a new tenant.
Ça Va was the place with £1 shots, sold in more than 30 different flavours, from baked beans to chilli and kiwi. Following a round of tequila, many would head to clubs like Heebie Jeebies or The Krazyhouse, affectionately known as the K! years ago, which was also based on Wood Street.
The bar first opened in 1995 and not much changed in the subsequent years in terms of offerings. An article from 2003 in the ECHO said: “Drinks offers include bottles of Carling, Harp and Castlemaine for £1, except after 9pm on Friday and Saturday. Pints of Carling are £1.85 but pints of Guinness and Grolsch lager cost £2.35 and £2.40.
“The bar also stocks draft Bud – quality, but it costs £2.70. At the doubles bar, prices range from about £2 a shot. It has a continental feel and advertising posters from across the world hang on the walls. There is also South American memorabilia, in keeping with the bar’s Mexican/tequila obsession.”
Sadly, in 2023, eager patrons kickstarting a boozy night were met with closed shutters and silence on social media. Rumours circulated on what happened to the much-loved venue but facts were few. All people knew was the bar was gone, resulting in disappointment.
Facebook user Bethany Jane Matthews said: “Used to love chilling on the couches here before hitting Django’s and then the K, rounds of the tequila shots then party, night bus home, sorted. Best nights ever!” Robert Driessen said: “Loved that place. A great warm up bar before heading to the bigger clubs.”
Fans were disappointed the bar of almost two decades left “without any ceremony or warning”. Reddit user HoGyMosh said: “Anyway I’m gutted if it’s closed for good. Spent a lot of my Friday nights in there before I became a grown up who doesn’t go out.”
Ça Va left an undeniable hole in the city’s nightlife scene, and although an official word was never issued by its owners, a small update followed a year later. In February 2024, the bar was listed for rent with Fleurets North West.
Divisional director Tim Martin said: “An experienced operator may feel that there is an opportunity to refurbish and/or rebrand the property and thus re-establish the trade in what is a vibrant and busy trading location.”
A spokesperson for Fleurets North West said the unit became available as the previous tenant had some health issues which changed his personal circumstances. The tequila bar was put on the market to rent for £44,000 a year.
Today, the listing is absent which would suggest the premises has been snapped up and ready to reopen. Sadly, Ça Va’s shutters remain firmly closed with the signage and front left to ruin.
The once popular night life venue with dirt cheap bar prices shows no signs of returning any time soon.
