Livingston’s venues reflect its layered past , from mining roots to a planned community defined by continuity and change. Repurposed industrial sites stand beside modern developments, while green corridors thread through residential districts shaped by decades of growth. In Livingston Village, old commercial footprints remain beneath new retail fronts tied to Kirkton Business Campus. Almond Valley offers riverside paths and open fields where nature shapes daily life; this area hosts the Almond Valley Heritage Centre, which preserves local stories through seasonal exhibitions on industrial legacy and rural conservation. Eliburn extends that rhythm with established housing estates and communal green spaces , not designed for spectacle but lived-in through routines like weekly gatherings at Howden Park Centre or family walks near Beecraigs Country Park. Events such as Stay Different, a monthly initiative encouraging residents to rediscover familiar places, take place here. These are spaces shaped by history rather than marketing: hallways of former mills now echo with local art shows curated through partnerships between Almondvale Stadium and The Centre; converted school halls host music nights where youth meet elders over coffee during the Livingston Food Festival, an annual event featuring pop-ups from Nandos and Set Fare Arena. Venues here aren’t static , they shift with community needs across the year, with daily updates ensuring you’re reading today’s schedule not yesterday’s. This includes River FM broadcasts originating weekly from Almondvale Stadium, offering a civic platform for local voices on issues ranging from rail access to youth engagement. The city is preparing for its Diamond Jubilee and Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee next year , marking 60 years since gaining new town status , an occasion that will be marked not with fanfare but through reflection at St Giles Cathedral or the Museum of Scottish Railways, where exhibits trace Livingston’s evolution from mining hub to regional centre.
Featured places are selected local venues we recommend or that partner with The City Brief.
Shopping Centre
The Centre, LivingstonYou can find The Centre, Livingston at the heart of the town's main commercial district. It’s a multi-store retail and dining hub with over 150 stores and restaurants, including M&S and Primark. The venue hosts seasonal events like Easter Egg Quests and Mother’s Day Makeover Competitions, making it more than just shopping.
View Info →Bar/lounge
6 Buds Beerhouse6 Buds Beerhouse is a bar lounge on Almondvale Boulevard in Livingston’s Almondvale neighbourhood. It draws crowds with its casual urban energy and local connection, serving pints and cocktails with a kick. You can find it open Thursday through Sunday for evening drinks and socialising after work or weekend hangouts.
View Info →Fitness Center
JD GymsJD Gyms Livingston is a modern industrial fitness center located just outside the city, on Kirkton S Rd in Livingston Village. It stands out as one of Livingston’s busiest gyms with 24/7 access and an energetic atmosphere fueled by high-intensity group classes. Locals use it for quick workouts during busy weekdays or to unwind socially in the evening.
View Info →Restaurant
Pepe'sPepe's Piri Piri is a modern fast-food restaurant at 5 The Parkway Retail Square in Almondvale, Livingston. It’s a reliable spot for quick meals during lunch or dinner, known for its flamed grilled piri-piri chicken, marinated and cooked to order with bold seasoning. Most people use it for takeaway, grab-and-go dining, or brief in-restaurant seating during midday breaks.
View Info →Pub
The NewyearfieldYou can find The Newyearfield on Almondvale Avenue in Livingston, just outside the city. It's near Newtown Park and serves real ale with a signature Spice Bag meal. Locals come here for affordable drinks after work or longer evenings out with friends.
View Info →144 total places
112 total places
Bar/lounge
6 Buds Beerhouse6 Buds Beerhouse is a bar lounge on Almondvale Boulevard in Livingston’s Almondvale neighbourhood.
View Info →Pub
The NewyearfieldYou can find The Newyearfield on Almondvale Avenue in Livingston, just outside the city.
View Info →48 total places
7 total places