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clubs + bars : our favourites
DJ Lord Ant B's Gimme 5 Lounge Lizard Layers
Lounge: to lounge [a Middle English pejorative for 'idle
fellow'] is to engage in the most spectacular form of indolence as yet
known to us. Unlike the flâneur, who loiters in the public square,
the 'Lounge Lizard' tends to pose as a lounger and prefers to outwit ennui
in the cool, dim depths of a red-velvet-swathed bar (aka a lounge). Thanks
to the recent cocktail music revival this much-neglected term has made
an astonishing comeback. Below are some recommendations of where one should
choose to lounge.
Lounge Lover / 1 Whitby Street, E1 /
Mon to Thu, 6pm - 12am, Fri and Sat, 6pm - 1am and closed Sun / Free
This achingly hip Hoxton hideaway has won a string of awards for its totally
eclectic interior which is decked out in a sumptuous mish mash of styles
including Napoleon-era chandeliers, baroque-rimmed mirrors, a spookily
lit doll's house, a hippopotamus head and little crowns hanging from the
ceiling, However this former meat packing factory is more than just quirky
gilded décor; it also serves scrummy yummy bar snacks, inventive
cocktails - all to a truly ‘lounge core’ soundtrack. Kick
back and relax.
Contemporary Lounging.
The Lobby Lounge / 70 Stratton Street,
W1 / Mon to Fri, 12pm - 11pm, Sat and Sun, 6pm - 10.30pm / Book on 020
7915 3894
Situated within the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, this uber-cool Mayfair bar
is the place to unwind for the discerning bar goer. With its sleek design
and chilled atmosphere, the Mayfair bar has been perfectly created for
meeting and most importantly ‘lounging’. Bespoke lilac seats,
a luscious fireplace and recessed windows provide cosy conversation areas
whilst the central area gives off the vibe of a chic bar. One of the bar's
main features is an enormous specially commissioned painting of Tibetan
monks in silhouette, which gives an art gallery feel. From wherever you
sit, the layout focuses attention on the crescent shaped bar made up of
glass columns. They also have a harpist playing daily from 3 to 6pm.
Luxury Lounging.
The Lockside Lounge / 75 West Yard, Camden
Lock, NW1 / Mon to Fri, 12pm - 11pm, Sat, 11am - 11pm and Sun 11am - 10.30pm
/ Free
This is in a prime location for lounging by the lock on a sunny afternoon.
Looks wise, it is an eclectic mix of American style bar meets Victorian
promenade with all its glorious wood, brick and copper fittings alongside
a balcony to watch over calm waters away from Camden’s maddening
throng! Indeed, one could go as far as comparing its long, sleek layout
to that of a canal boat or even the carriages on the Orient Express, and
certainly not the uncouth remark of it being akin to a ‘hospital
corridor’.
Liquid Lounging.
Ruby Lounge / 33 Caledonian Road, Kings
Cross, N1 / Mon to Wed, 4pm - 11pm and Thu to Sat, 3pm - 2am / Up to £5
The Ruby Lounge is the name traditionally given to portside pubs where
sailors met prostitutes. Some things never change... tee hee! Although
this tarted up boozer is only a stone's this throw from Kings Cross, you
are more likely to pick up an ice cool cocktail to a chilled out soundtrack
than anything nasty. The Ruby has its very own mini red light district
with an amazing Verner Panton designed chandelier as its centre piece.
The only side effect is that everyone you meet in there will have a slightly
sun burnt look. But beware of any one with horns and a tail a la Peter
Cook in Bedazzled.
Sun Lounging.
Shadow Lounge / 5 Brewer Street, W1 /
Mon to Wed 9pm - 3am and Thu to Sat, 8pm - 3am / £300 annual membership
(includes private booth and bottle hold!)
The shadow lounge took over the site of the old Astral Club (previously
a strip bar, I mean gentleman’s club). The new venue oozes charisma
with a stylish concept. As a members only lounge there is a genuine air
of exclusivity (naturally d-a-r-l-i-n-g), as demonstrated by the number
of Celebs as well as the city's movers and shakers; not to mention the
handsome set of loungers it tends to attract!
Limelight Lounging.
Make Mine a Pint of ... ‘Death in the Afternoon
Cocktail’
This is a real five o'clock ‘whistle whetter’,
originally sunk by Ernest Hemingway I believe.
Ingredients:
Absinthe
Champagne
Method:
Pour one jigger of absinthe into a champagne glass. Add iced champagne
until it attains the proper opalescent milky colour. Drink 3-5 of these
very slowly into near point of collapse. Take the precaution of pre-ordering
a cab to take you home!
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