Lounge Bohemia in Hackney

This is clearly a location that is on a journey and credit for that. However, when your journey consists of foams, froth, and ice with little or no substance, let alone alcohol then expect reviews like this. The staff are lovely. Welcoming and friendly. The vibe is very 70's, but as a 70's child, it needs significant work. The idea has to be applauded, but it lacks so much. The tasting menu at £39 per head would be acceptable if there was indeed a taste to accept, but sadly, there isn't. Of 5 tastes there was but 1, perhaps 2, that were indeed tasty, the rest were sadly lacking. The popcorn and cheese plates were welcomed distractions from what was otherwise uninspiring and overpriced. This is clearly a concept on a journey, and in time, it may well reach some.dizzy heights, but that is many Moons away and needs significant work to be a viable success. Having tried 5 "tasters," I feel I haven't had one drink. Which sums up the entire experience 🤔

A calming ambience, artsy place

Quirky. Fabulous Furniture. Great staff and atmosphere. I booked a little last minute calling ahead for an after work drink… we’ll be back!

Fun experience! Very immersive service, and great story telling

I surprised my boyfriend with this experience and it was a big success thanks to the amazing vibe this place has and the concept which is truly unique! We got the tasting menus which was a great way to taste the cocktails. Be aware that they won’t necessarily be your cup of tea but if you are open minded and see this as more an experience than your typical bar you should enjoy it a lot!

Truly amazing experience. This another level of mixing cocktails. The Japanese whisky with coconut noodles was breathtaking. And the service makes you feel truly welcome. I loved it!

Really overpriced, underwhelming. Some of the most bland and gimmicky cocktails I’ve had. Cool interior but not really worth it.

Amazing drinks experience! Would highly recommend it. Each drink has a story and expertly crafted!

unbelievably fantastic! have been a few times now and every time i am blown away. Thank you to Ash for the wonderful service. It was our anniversary and it felt so very special. thank you again, we shall be back!

Si tienes la oportunidad... ¡vete! Asegúrese de llamar con anticipación para una reserva. Experimentamos un servicio al cliente increíble y cócteles alucinantes. Esto fue un punto culminante de nuestro viaje y una experiencia verdaderamente única.

Pride comes before the fall... After a positive experience in early February 2024 with my girlfriend—where we visited the bar with a reservation—I decided to give it another try, this time with a good friend visiting from my hometown. It was a Wednesday at 9 PM, and the bar was about 50% empty, so I thought it might be fine without a reservation. However, when I politely inquired if we could get a table without one, the woman behind the counter responded with unnecessary arrogance and irritation. Her reply: 'How did you come last time? Right, with a reservation. We're an appointment-only bar.' I understand their policy, but the way she communicated it was unprofessional, especially considering the bar wasn’t even full. After this experience, I wouldn’t recommend the place anymore. Staff training is clearly needed—or if you're the owner, please learn how to treat your customers properly

What a great place. The "cocktails" are expertly balanced and create unique sensations. If you give yourself into the experience you'll have a great time. I can't spoil it, just make a reservation, put your ego aside, and relax. You'll have a truly one of a kind experience. Seriously, if you treat the staff/owner with respect of an equal fellow human they will provide a fun, interesting experience. Treat them like "the help" and they'll tell you to get the hell out.

Very unique cocktails. Cannot emphasise "unique" enough. The waiters really care about the whole experience. I would definitely recommend.

Un final fabuloso para nuestro día en Shoreditch. Servicio VIP real, y deliciosos cócteles con un toque. Probamos 10 y todos eran perfectos. Tres miembros del personal eran todos maravillosamente acogedor y amable. ¡Gracias! ¡Volveremos!

Our favorite place. The owner is always friendly and welcoming. The vibe is quiet and chill. The cocktails are amazing with consistently original presentation. And no suits allowed.

Weirdest bar i ever been. Personnel were rude and arrogant (especially the tall French girl) and didn’t make us feel welcome at all. We have been told it is by reservation only, but all of a sudden all people came after us were seated despite by all of them said i had no reservation (seated close to entrance so able to overhear). They made us take off jackets cause they didn’t fit the dress code for the place. Are you serious, treating your customers like that?? I pay for your salary in the end, how you dare not to respect me? You don’t love what you do? People outthere with no job would love to be in your position. Heard customers being told off by personnel in a rude way. I can still continue for ever. This bar should not exist. Honestly. Never been more disappointed. Luckily i wont return and luckily so many other bars to visit. It’s London!

We just had cocktails but it was so much fun, the craft and theatrical nature of each of them made the whole experience so much fun and the lady who brought the cocktails was amazing, genuinely tons of fun.

Absolutely loved the place, molecular mixology is an incredible concept! We had two different tasting menus, and each cocktail was outstanding My partner had the "West Meets West" menu and used chopsticks for each drink. The service was excellent, with detailed explanations for every cocktail. Highly recommend!

The drinks at this establishment are very good and the seating area is quite charming. However, the service (and as a result the atmosphere) was disappointing due to the conduct of our waiter. Very arrogant and patronising tone when answering questions about drinks. He decided unpromptedly to share his extreme political views, which made us uncomfortable. For instance, he started talking about COVID 19 and criticised us for adhering to government guidelines on lockdowns, social distancing, and face masks, labeling us as 'naive.' Additionally, he expressed disbelief in medicine and healthcare (again, no one asked for his opinion). When I suggested we agree to disagree, he became confrontational and insisted his opinions were facts. This unprofessional behavior detracted significantly from our overall experience, as I simply wanted to enjoy the drinks without being subjected to unsolicited and patronising commentary.

Sure, here's a more professional version of your review: --- The drinks at this establishment are exceptional, and the seating area is quite charming. However, the service was disappointing due to the conduct of our waiter. He unpromptedly shared his extreme political views, which made us uncomfortable. For instance, he criticized us for adhering to government guidelines on lockdowns, social distancing, and face masks, labeling us as 'naive.' Additionally, he expressed disbelief in medicine and healthcare. When I suggested we agree to disagree, he became confrontational and insisted his opinions were facts. This unprofessional behavior detracted significantly from our overall experience, as we simply wanted to enjoy our drinks without being subjected to unsolicited and patronizing commentary.

Double shots advertised as single shots! SCAM

Incredible technique and creativity. Truly a mind blowing experience in a very cosy classy but unpretentious atmosphere. There is great passion in what they do and it is London’s best kept secret by far. We had the Russian Breakfast, Lychee Martini and Under the Sea. The Lychee Martini is on the tasting menu but the owner was kind enough to make it on request. The detail and craftsmanship is nothing short of genius. Will always be my favourite place to visit.

Best place in London! Highly recommend ✨

One of our favourite cocktail bars. Gorgeous drinks, service, and atmosphere. Always a pleasure to bring fronds here and blow their minds l.

You just need to experience it! Their course menu items are super unique and have their own stories behind each drink. Alcoholic, sweet, savory, sour, bitter, and more. The most important thing is to make sure you make a reservation and experience it. :) The server was kind and knowledgeable. She was a great storyteller, too. I highly recommend it for friends and lovers who want to create great memories.

Wanted to visit for ages and finally made it here. Interesting menu and will be back for the tasting next time.

My favourite cocktail spot in London so far - if you're looking for quality, this is the place to be. The average cost is £15 per cocktail, which for London is pretty standard, however these are without a doubt far better quality/taste and strength than more expensive places I've been to! Extremely unique menu, very much made and presented based on Theme's - The childhood story theme'd Alice in Wonderland is an amazing twist on an old fashioned and so far my favourite. Tasting menu's are pretty spectacular as well and the service is second to none. Highly recommended

Awesome bar! Unique drinks you won’t find anywhere else, each drink almost had its’ own show!

We had an amazing night, such inventive cocktails and each one has a story, served with an element of theatre. LOVED the Bellini bears particularly. You feel like you've discovered a secret basement bar that's been there since the Sixties. Will definitely be back...

The most incredible 18th birthday celebration ever - prosecco gummie bears in a pink paper bag for starters and other theatrical experiences in a drink. It feels like you have stepped into a vintage underground scene - it transports you into a piece of performance art - incredible - and probably one of the most off piste experiences I’ve had in London. Thank you .

Turned up late on a Sunday on the off chance there would be space. When we got in the bar there were about five tables free. We asked if we could have a drink and were told, “I’ll see what I can do”. Then told, I want to inform you, “we are cash only today”…what? What on earth was she on about? Clearly wasn’t true and when we said we had no cash, she just shrugged. This isn’t a serious business. Can’t be bothered with jokers running an establishment in a city that has so much competition for your custom.

Amazing experience. Servers were amazing and every drink we had was delicious. You need a booking. We will definately return.

A true Michelin star cocktail experience. Extremely cozy and relaxed atmosphere where you can deep dive into carefully crafted cocktails and unique tasting menus that take you on a journey through flavour and texture. Impressive storytelling behind every beverage paired with a creative presentation. Great snacks to go with your drinks as well. Definitely looking forward to visiting again! 10/10

I had the pleasure of experiencing an exquisite speakeasy with funky and quirky twists on their cocktails. I opted for the tasting menu, specifically the ‘naughty childhood’. Marra did an excellent job explaining each concoction to us and was patient enough to accommodate all of our allergies, and trust me, there were quite a few! Anyway, I highly recommend this speakeasy.

Lovely bar, interesting cocktails and nice interior.

My new favourite place We came here over the weekend for my friends birthday and honestly the experience was everything. Really lovely owner too. Highly recommend coming here !

Great cocktails, each with its own story, making them unique. Courteous staff and an intimate atmosphere.

Frequented this place multiple times throughout 3-4 years and it never disappoints. Always an extraordinary experience.

Best Cocktails in city. Great service small and cozy. Will definitely visit next time.

I was here at the end of February. I found this place on Instagram and I was fascinated by it but reading the various reviews I was a little doubtful. However, although my English is not perfect I immediately found myself at ease. It is mandatory to book a table, I booked it the previous evening and I had no problem finding a place for the following evening. You can get there easily by public transport, in my case I arrived by bus which took me just a few steps away from the venue. To access it you need to pay a little attention as it is accessed from a small door adjacent to a kebab. On the other hand, those who know the concept of speakeasy can only be fascinated by the attention to detail. Let's move on to the salient part: the cocktails. You can choose between various courses made up of 5 drinks with molecular preparations so you shouldn't expect liquid drinks but rather drinks that you "eat" in different consistencies thus creating an all-round sensorial experience. In addition to this, there is also the possibility of choosing just one drink in which only the flavors inside are specified and not the ingredients so you have to completely rely on it (I tried a very particular one). The service was excellent, the girl who served us was really kind and accurate in telling us the history of the drinks in a simple and clear way. Finally, the environment is fantastic, with attention to the smallest details with furnishing objects that immediately take you back to the prohibition era without taking away the taste of modern design. The price is correct for how much you drink and for the preparations that are made on the cocktails. I will definitely be back!

Wonderful place to entertain guests or have a date in. Definitely a wonderful experience which never disappoints, amazing concept with really unique drinks. Service is as always a 10/10.

Quirky, understated, unique and brilliant. The staff here are exceptionally knowledgeable and passionated about the cocktails on offer. It’s obvious they all have pride in their menu and rightly so. Every cocktail is unique and interesting, and I genuinely can’t wait to come back here. Be prepared to try something new. It’s not the kind of play to order a porn star martini.

The owner was gloriously rude and unfunny (part of the experience apparently) and it was with the most wonderful pleasure that I told him he was unwell. The toilet is nice and was the only penny I spent.

Great vibe and wonderful service. The cocktails are wonderful and everything feels like an experience. The atmosphere of the place was really cool and smooth.

So grateful for this recommendation. It was our highlight of a fab trip to London - the drinks were mind blowing and the experience was one we won't forget.

Called to place a booking. The man who answered the phone was incredibly rude, i knew there was a high likelihood of not getting a booking so last minute, however he was very sarcastic and plain rude. I also must’ve called after opening hours, and he complained about how i ‘woke him up’ and expected an apology?? Completely has put me off from ever going to this bar in the future.

LOVED MY EXPERIENCE AND DRINKS HERE-100% recommend it

Drinks mediocre, customer service terrible. Dare they charge 15% service charge

Regrettably, we won't be returning to this cocktail bar. The discourteous treatment at the door made us reconsider our visit. Think twice before choosing this place for your evening out, you will find better places. We know it’s appointment only, the thing is that the manager at the door is just very unpolite and rude. Worst experience.

In an alternate universe, Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory would be based on the genius of the drink designs here. A trip to London will never seem complete without a visit to Lounge Bohemia!

Muy mala experiencia, queríamos probar los cocktails y la persona que nos ha recibido ha sido muy desagradable, mejor ir a cualquier otro sitio de por la zona.

This is hands down the best bar in London. Amazing ambience, service and menu. I tried no less than two tasting menus; the gourmet and nature. Gourmet was umami based and nature whisky based. I’m very fuzzy when it comes to drinks. This place blew me away. (And I’m not one to compliment if I don’t mean it.)

If you love cocktails and you enjoy attention to detail with a unique experience, don't delay book today! Definitely order the jelly babies.

Interesting cocktail menu, however a quarrel about gin, vodka, whiskey etc. being allegedly suitable for coeliacs spoiled my whole impression, the owner ended the disagreement up with me having ‘coeliacs intolerance towards certain alcohols in my head only’ and offered me 3 cocktails based on tequila. I’d expect more decent and respectful behaviour towards customers.

Thanks for turning us away from spending money here because we haven't booked, even though the place was half empty. It used to be one of my favourite cocktail bars in London, but I guess things have changed, and not for the best.

Earnestly waiting till I visit when I'm back in London! Lounge Bohemia truly crafts an eclectic experience. The cocktails pack a punch — artistic, balanced and delectable — and there's a creative aspect and story to these cocktails which can be whimsically explained by Paul.

The main bar tender (owner?) needs to work on his communication skills. I get the impression he thinks he’s humorous, but he’s rude. We did enjoy the interior design and modernist furniture. That’s about it. Sharry!

incredible experience, thank you!

This place is amazing for a cocktail experience. My biggest suggestion going into this, is if you do the tasting menu don't expect drinks, expect an experience. We both did a tasting menu which was 5 cocktails but all made through molecular gastronomy such that the cocktails weren't always necessarily liquids. Sometimes it was an ice ball or jelly or semi-solid. Basically the whole time you are being introduced to alcohol and flavours in a range of textures. Paul, the owner, is fantastic. He spent so much time with us, explaining the intricacies and how they came to make these concoctions. You can tell be has a real love and passion for his work. The menu is constantly rotating so it makes for a new experience each and every time. I can't recommend this place enough, and while it is a spot frequented by locals, it should be getting more attention than it does in the cocktail industry.

Big fan of Lounge Bohemia for many and many years, always amazing experience, do make an appointment 😌

Beautiful bar situated in mid century modern decor. Dedication to good cocktail making is 2nd to none. Low ratings are due to people not reading the instructions.

Cool bar with experimental cocktails in a 70s vibe.

Loved it! Took my hubby here as a birthday surprise while visiting London. We each ordered a tasting menu (West Meets East and Cocktail History). I've never had any cocktail prepared with such imagination and gastro-molecular skill! We enjoyed speaking with the owner, Paul, as much as we enjoyed savoring our cocktail creations. So fun!

We ordered the tasting menus, it was a whole experience. The story telling for each drink was captivating, and it went very well with the ambiance of the place. You just don’t know what to expect. I highly recommend!

It is quite a marvelous experience! Paul and his team have created something unique and special. The concept is refreshing and showcases the eclectic nature of the lounge with lots of creativity at work. I enjoyed a variety of drinks offered on the menu. The staff are very knowledgeable about recommendations too. Highly recommend if you're considering making a trip there, but be sure to make a reservation in advance as seating is limited.

Rude staff, a pretentious affair.

I really enjoyed my first visit there, the drinks are an incredible experience and Paul was a great host. One of the best bars I have aver seen

(Updated review) Okay now it is a solid 1 star. The staff are so incredibly rude, honestly don’t understand how can anyone run a business like this. The cocktails were not too disgusting, and the owner thinks he should get a medal for serving cocktails made with poor quality spirits. Making it ‘by appointment’ doesn’t automatically make the bar any better :) (Original review) It’s quirky and maybe worth one visit, however, the drinks only seemed interesting in the first 10 seconds when they’re served. We ordered 6 drinks and honestly they didn’t taste that good. V v mediocre. There was one super rude waiter. Frankly if I have encountered him outside I would have punched him in the face…. Also he treated different tables v differently. Kinda ruined the whole thing for me.

This is my favorite bar in the world. Every time I’m back in London I make sure to visit. All of my friends who I take always recommend it to their friends. Unique atmosphere and intriguing story telling while serving master class cocktails. You won’t find a better atmosphere in Shoreditch.

Paul explained everything so well - had a fantastic time. The concept of the bar really puts your perspective on cocktail on its head. Really cool drinking experience. Thanks to all the staff had a wonderful time.

Different experience to the other cocktails bars, it was super enjoyable and good cocktails

Khadija la serveuse ces là meilleur fait attention à elle très bon élément

Staff was friendly and they accommodated. Buddy and I each did a tasting menu and was impressed with the thought and care that went into each of their cocktails. We certainly liked some of them more than others but overall it was a great experience and we very much enjoyed our time there.

FANTASTIC ENRICHING EXPERIENCE. 1960s Czechia, the most amazing drinks of my life, perfect presentation and extraordinary details. Menus were stapled inside 1960s vintage Czech books. 15 £ per cocktail. Even the shot was so nice (presented in adorable mini cups with an aftertaste of Cinnamon)

A chill, edgy place you don't have to yell to hear each other AND inventive cocktails? This is the place. I've been to Lounge Bohemia twice, and can't wait for the third time! To book, you'll need to call between 10am and 4pm. I called Paul the week before I wanted to come, and it didn't seem to be a problem to find a table for 3 people on a Saturday night. Now onto the fun things - the experience! You'll need to look closely or you'll miss the entrance. It's just a opening on the side of a building where you'll have to walk down a narrow hallway, down very narrow steps (try not to fall!), and finally to the bar. The vibe almost felt like an older, mature Brady Bunch house in the best way possible. The seating is so comfy, I could have fallen asleep. I didn't don't worry! Now to the drinks. There were 3 of us, so we each tried a different tasting menu. How to describe them? Imagine a normal cocktail bar, then imagine it was in Alice in Wonderland and Dr Seuss. I won't go into how delicious the cocktails were - they all were amazing tastewise and visually. Just have a look at my pictures! After the tasting menus, we just started ordering a la carte and were even more impressed. One thing - do mention if you don't like certain flavors. My husband doesn't like tomato, he forgot to mention it, and got a bloody Mary inspired drink by accident. It absolutely was not the bar's fault, but when you go make sure to mention any allergies or dislikes! One thing I loved - they kept bringing out popcorn 🍿 I'll definitely be back!

Incredible and unique cocktail experience! Get one of the tasting menus.. you wont regret it. The owner is very kind and a great host as well. I look forward to returning!!

The tasting menus were creative with every drink being an unexpected delight. 10/10 you must try this if you enjoy cocktail experiences. Service was super knowledgeable, kind and a bit theatrical. Vibes: quiet jazzy and mid century modern. You’ll find yourself chatting in hushed voices and focusing your attention on the drinks.

Relieved to see I'm not the only one who's found a male waiter there to be arrogant and rude. The cocktails were great, the first guy who delivered them was nice. But I'm giving it a 2 star as I'd rather have a mediocre cocktail and leave on a good note, than have my evening soured by a rude waiter and spoil what was a nice evening with friends.

Fantastic spot for some non-traditional cocktails! The menu is thoughtful and interprets classics in fun and interesting ways. I enjoyed a five course tasting which was served in seashells. I particularly loved the salt foam on top of the second course — it’s also really cool to hear how they’ve adapted the menu for summer. I read others complain about their policies but it is pretty straightforward: make a reservation because the drinks are quite labor intensive. The staff loves to provide detailed explanation of drinks. A great date spot or for groups of friends — chill and easy to make conversation. Don’t turn up expecting anything “usual”! Everyone I have ever taken here has loved this as an after dinner spot. Kudos to the lovely staff for making our night(s)!

If I can give 0 star I will 100% do so. The people who worked there are so rude. There are a lot of pubs and bars around that area, please do not come here unless you want someone to be treated very impolite and unpleasant. We made a reservation but there was a friend who wanted to join last minute, we just simply asked whether we could add one extra person. The waiter just pulled his 5 fingers and counted in front of us and we felt insulted. Just simply tell us that its not possible to add a person would be much appreciated. I went to so many places with reservations needed and understand someone can arrange but sometimes not. The way we got treated was very unnecessary and very unpleasant.

Overpriced gimmick. One of the courses in the menu broke before trying it and the member of staff blamed us. Disappointing experience overall but the poor attitude of the staff was shocking.

Amazing cocktail experience with excellently crafted and unique drinks. Amongst the most interesting cocktail places I have been to in a while

Horrible service. Staff are very rude and will short change you. Be careful.

Absolutely amazing experience and awesome staff! Worth visit!

Staff very rude and unwelcoming. Tried to take clients here, many tables free but said they were booked 30 mins to close. Asked about American Express and said they “didn’t take this on Thursdays” and laughed.

Went in last night and experienced really rude staff. I think the staff need to take a hint with all of the reviews of poor customer service and realise that they are the problem and have an issue which is compromising their business.

The drinks were very creative but not the best quality, the service was really bad. The man at the bar was very rude, the man with the beard. Not sure if it is a sign of Asperger’s or just general rudeness, I have never met anyone so rude before. I don’t think I will come here again. 15% service charge for rudeness.

Very bad service. The staff was very rude and arrogant. Taste menu waa extremely awful.

Incredibly creepy and rude staff. Solo women beware.

My favourite cocktail place in London. Not sure I should even be writing this because of how much they love their secrecy. From the way you make bookings via text messages to how I keep walking past the entrance because of a lack of sign, to their cool and slightly quirky "love us or leave us" attitude to newbies who walk in confused off the streets. This place is made for adventurers of all things alcohol, a series of mad experiments done by staff who really live for their craft. So many items on their taster menus have blown my mind and are forever etched in my memory. The child in me has never felt more at home.

Great personal friendly service. Amazing inventive cocktails. Chill vibe.

Jolie trouvaille à Londres. Le concept est très original. En revanche l’addition est à la hauteur et on sent passer la soirée.

They forgot or even purposely did not serve us one of the dishes on the tasting menu without us realising later on. Not worth the experience.

Our first time to visit here it’s quite weird when we got inside. The atmosphere is kind like a cave, but I like the interior design its a tight small space some chairs you’ve got to share with other people but that’s not an issue. I’m impressed about the drinks! I like the presentation very creative however the serving wasn’t that much I think it’s a bit pricey. The drinks was good, but very less alcohol it was a good experience though and to our server he was nice as well.

One of my favourite quirky spots. The experience and vibes - immaculate

Really enjoyed the atmosphere and the cocktails. Feels like a retreat from the crowded city.

This is now old faithful. The cocktails are innovative yet lethal, the vibe is always on point even though the waiter takes everything a little too seriously.

Absolutely fabulous bar! Amazing and sophisticated drinks, very kind bartenders. My first experience with molecular mixology ! Definitely worth visiting (and coming again soon).

Absolutely amazing place / Extreme hospitality in Bohemian style / Unbelievable "drinks" / NOT USUAL BAR - MUST VISIT PLACE

Was excited to try this spot given its high ratings but this was genuinely the most off-putting experience I have ever had at a bar. First off, you walk into a basement that is both unsettlingly bright and quiet (on a Saturday night) to be greeted by a waiter who gave a disapproving groan when we mentioned we did not book in advance. After making us feel we needed to apologize, the waiter informed us that there was a table (so unsure what the need was for the guilt trip). The cocktail menu was impossibly pretentious-- while I can appreciate a conceptual menu, having no indication of at least the type of alcohol in the cocktails (or whether it would even be a liquid, apparently?) left us feeling more confused than excited to order. As we sipped our first round (in whispers so as not to disturb the atmosphere), another couple came in and was given a lengthy lecture by the mad-hatter-looking waiter about being late for their booking, followed by a seemingly racist "compliment" which we were as shocked to overhear (clear as day, again, given the silence) as the couple themselves clearly were. After all that, the waiter informed them that he did in fact have a table for them. A whole day later I am still mortified and unsettled by this experience. I don't care if your cocktails were made by the king himself, berating guests to paint the picture of exclusivity is pretentious, rude and unnecessary. Let alone microaggressions from a waiter drunk with power. Avoid at all costs.