Mystery Shoppers

Featured Article October '09

 

 

Lounging About!

 

Insight Retail are proud to be working as retained property consultants for Loungers Cafe/Bar on their acquisitions programme.

 

Originally founded in Bedminster, Bristol in August 2002, the Loungers chain now includes 12 bar/cafes stretching from Cardiff to Reading and up to Birmingham. Loungers bars/cafes boast a relaxed, comfortable and in my opinion, unique atmosphere.

It is not often I write a piece about what is easily one of my favourite places to socialise, relax and unwind. Admittedly I haven’t visited all 12 sites; perhaps I should make that my mission! However, one of my regular haunts and favourite Loungers, mainly because of its close proximity to my humble abode, is the Deco Lounge in Cotham.

Now I don’t love this place just because it serves my favourite cider (although this does give it a certain appeal). Rather, it is the food, the drink, the people and the atmosphere, which I believe you don’t quite get elsewhere. The Loungers chain caters for all; the young professional, the eager business man, school run mums, professional dads and even their cool little ones and yet retains an informal, relaxed neighbourhood cafe/bar atmosphere.

It seems to serve everything from all-day breakfasts, proper-job burgers  to restaurant style dishes, marshmallow covered hot chocolates and amazing chocolate brownies.

The laid back atmosphere is enhanced by the slightly eccentric use of reclaimed and antique furniture. Having worked for the retailer White Stuff previously, whose similarly eccentric stores are reminiscent of a visit to Loungers, I can’t help but think this is what the fashion retailer would look like if it were a cafe/bar. It’s almost like being in a cross between a French European bar and your rather eccentric uncle’s dining room.

The Loungers bars all have board games to play with and books to read during your visit, maintaining the feeling that you are actually at a relative’s home. You can even bring an old book in and swap it with one of their own.

The website also gives off a playful, relaxed vibe with all the Loungers bars profiled on playing cards with interesting facts about each one.

The Loungers bars are a great place to visit anytime of the day whether it is for food, really sociable evenings when the sun goes down or a place to wallow and recover on a Sunday from the Saturday night before!

Everyone is welcome at Loungers, which makes it the perfect local, neighbourhood bar/cafe. If you aren’t lucky enough to have visited a Loungers bar/cafe yet then do so, you’re missing out!

For more information visit www.thelounges.co.uk

 

 

< Back