The Light Lounge (Bar)

Top 10 things you need to know about Light Lounge bar:

1) Ascending and descending steps is all the rage in the London bar scene right now. Everything is above or below street level, or hidden from public view.

2) As it’s Chinatown on a Friday night, the area is awash with tourists, residents, diners, drinkers, clubbers and gamblers. It is also Chinatown on a Friday night so you won’t hear the booming music or feel the buzz of nearly 60 tired, work-rinsed drinkers until you reach the first floor.

3) Light Lounge is on the first floor but not because they want to be like everyone else. There’s simply no space downstairs for a bar so well stocked that it takes you aback.

4) As you wait for your table, you may feel excited and unsure of what’s coming. Light Lounge has eschewed online menus for alcoholic mystique that will keep you on your toes.

5) Meet Niels, the manager of the operation and a man who works incredible, drinkable magic. Want something long and icy, or sparking and refreshing?

6) Pick some drinks from the menu, then abandon that idea and ask for bespoke cocktails instead. Like the apple, ginger, melon and cucumber dream that I swallowed down in one...well two.

7) Or sup Niels’ lemon, lime, apple, cranberry and raspberry delight. Sour and sweet in all the right places.

8) By now you’re bopping to 90s jams, laughing with friendly staff and watching the bartenders prepare your next drink. A medley of vanilla, grapes, peach, raspberry and soda water. Long, sparkling AND entirely refreshing.

9) Drink responsibly and swap for a non-alcoholic bloody Mary that helps your stomach realise you’re starving. You’ll go soon, but maybe one more for the road! You ask for something tropical and receive a mix of passionfruit, pineapple, grenadine, raspberry and grapefruit. So tropical, you’ll spawn flip flops and the rain will turn to sun.

10) By time your 90 minutes are up, you’ll be merry, reluctant to leave, but begging for some damn good Chinese food on offer along nearby Gerrard Street. The fun needn’t end. The weekend starts here!...read more