1a Bell lane,
Shoreditch,
London,
E1 7LA
(020) 7377 5118
The ViewLondon Review
A postage stamp sized basement bar located within walking distance of Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations. This subterranean bar-restaurant offers a competitively priced lunch menu and a very snug drinking environment where trendy, friendly
types wind down after a day in the City. It is certainly a place to try out as an alternative to the plethora of eateries and bars in the area.
The Venue
Adjacent to Petticoat Lane market, the surrounding area is not as warm and inviting as the Liberty Lounge. However, once you have descended the stairs and entered the bar the atmosphere is lively and welcoming.
The bar accommodates around 40-60 people (about the same as a Routemaster bus!) and meeting and greeting others is virtually compulsory. The decor is simple and modern with cushioned bar stools and a small eating area (around 4 tables)
supported by wooden flooring throughout. A lounge area at the back offers a couple of flat screen televisions, a retro table computer game and settees. The bar is small and lively and the low ceilings add to the feeling of intimacy.
The Atmosphere
Liberty Lounge generates a friendly, buzzy, atmosphere and is a good place to meet people. Friendly staff, cool lighting and a trendy, happy crowd will doubtless extend the quick beer on the way home to three or four. The people profile is bright,
young, and professional, and the dress code is smart yet relaxed.
The Food
The founder of Liberty Lounge has a track record as a dedicated chef, of some 14 years service, and has put in place good quality food at very cheap prices. The lunchtime menu is quite quirky with a bacon butty and chips (£3.80) lining up alongside beef
tagine with prunes, apricot and couscous (£4.95).
If that doesn’t take your fancy, you can order from an a la carte menu, a short list that offers a very fresh and well presented smoked salmon on a blini with rocket salad (£3.75). Alternatively, the duck spring rolls are hot and tasty and cooled by a sweet chilli dip
(£3.95).
There are three choices of mains and the seared sea bass with pesto mash, green beans and saffron cream sauce is worth the £7.95 asking price. Another choice, the rack of lamb with Dauphinoise potatoes, baby carrots and a red wine jus, is tender
and tasty on the outside and rare and bloody on the inside so be sure to detail your preference. The third option is probably a first for E1: pink Champagne risotto with sun dried tomato, asparagus and parmesan shavings (£6.95).
The desserts are a mix of highly satisfying sticky toffee pudding with fresh cream (£3.75) and the forgettable chocolate brownie served with pistachio ice cream which has the appearance of a mattress dropped in a puddle (£3.95).
The Drink
Bottled beer (Corona, Sol, Budvar et al) and wine by the glass include a skinny list of reds, whites and Champagnes. The Sediba Chenin Blanc is nicely chilled, crisp and enjoyable (£13.95 a bottle) and there is a delightful Chablis Alain
Geoffroy priced at £25.95. The ubiquitous Pinot Grigio is offered at £16.50. The red wines offer different varieties such as Shiraz, Merlot, Rioja and St-Emilion, and range between £13.95 and £25.95. Prosecco is available at £18.95 while Bollinger is priced
at £59.95. A list of cocktails start from £4.50 in price and a popular choice is the Lynchberg Lemonade.
The Last Word
As a place to enjoy a quick lunch or several liveners at the end of the working day, the Liberty Lounge fits the bill. The basement setting may not be to everyone’s taste but it is a new venue and should become a regular drop-in for young City workers. It
is the type of place that will benefit from the regeneration of the area and it may well establish itself as a venue for entertainment if, say, a comedy night or jazz event is introduced.
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