If there were a bohemian area in London, it would probably have to be Shoreditch. And yet the rowdy, trendster revellers that frequent the watering holes of the area would look strangely out of place in Lounge Bohemia. However most of the East End fashion posse have probably not spotted Lounge Bohemia, as its rather nondescript door between a newsagents and a kebab shop means that this basement bar has managed to remain relatively unknown on the Shoxton party circuit.  This is a grown-up bar for grown-ups.

Lounge Bohemia transports you back to communist-era Eastern Europe. The deco is simple, chic and very, very cool. The bar is wallpapered with Czech newspapers and furnished with sleek 1960s design pieces – low tables, sofas and chairs in neutral tones and quirky light fittings. The low ceilings add to the intimate atmosphere of the bar and the jazzy soundtrack completes the ambiance. Lounge Bohemia is the perfect spot for a romantic rendezvous or a couple of quiet cocktails with friends.

The attention to detail in the bar is impressive; from the cleverly designed cocktails menus which are to be found in 1960s Czech books, to the award-winning glassware by Czech designer Jiri Pelcl, this is a bar for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Lounge Bohemia’s cocktails are similar feats of expert craftsmanship. Their molecular cocktails are created with scientific equipment and techniques of molecular gastronomy. Try the Bubble Bath Martini which is a girly concoction of lychee liqueur, lavender & poppy seed vodka with lychee, lavender & rose bubbles. It’s absolutely delicious and like nothing else I’ve ever tasted! You can continue the chemistry lesson with a “Lab Test”; Lounge Bohemia’s selection of sophisticated shots to share, which come in sweet, sour or creamy varieties. We opted for the creamy shots which are served in a test tube rack. Once you’ve tried them, tequila slammers will suddenly seem rather vulgar… More eccentric drinking comes in the form of “Tea for Two” which is iced tea with a kick (becherovka, lemon vodka, honey liquor, peach liquor, chilled earl grey tea) served in a classic 60s teapot with cups and saucers. And the selection of delicious and interesting cocktails goes on… For martini devotees, the Gyspytini is a must; a bohemian flight of fancy combining rosemary vodka, honey liquor and prunes.

And as any grown-up cocktail imbiber knows, it’s advisable to combine drinking with a snack or two. Of course, at Lounge Bohemia, there’s not a salted peanut or bag of crisps in sight. Their Czech-inspired canapés come served on Riki Watanabe trays. Customers are served a complimentary selection of canapés with their first drink, but if you want to tackle more than a couple of the cocktails on the menu, you should probably order something to nibble on. We tried the cheese platter which included beautifully presented morsels of marinated czech cheese, celery with blue cheese & walnut, quail’s egg and tomato stuffed with cheese and mature cheddar with red onion marmalade. Absolutely delicious. You can also choose meat or fish-themed selections, which are probably just as delectable as the ones that we tried! And if you are visiting Lounge Bohemia with someone who isn’t a fan of cocktails, the bar also serves a wide selection of bohemian beers.

Communism may be over in Eastern Europe, but its spirit is alive and well in Eastern London and creating some cocktails any comrade would be proud of!

By appointment only. Lounge Bohemia has a no suit policy.

www.loungebohemia.com