In an area where comfy pubs far outnumber swanky nightspots, Jacks Lounge is the place to be for a touch of style without a hefty price tag.

The Venue
You can’t get much better in terms of location than Jacks Lounge. It makes its home in one of the railway bridge arches directly behind Southwark tube and is nestled neatly in a paved side alley, lit up at night with a rainbow of light globes.

Inside, the decor is elegant dining hall meets living room chic. The large open area, flanked by a flashy mirrored bar, has dark walnut floorboards, a mix of antique and modern furniture, and funky lamps, while exposed brickwork and piping lend an industrial edge. The carpeted back room with comfy couches, cosy lighting, and designer wallpaper makes you feel right at (a very stylish) home while works of art and interesting black and white photographs throughout the lounge add an extra touch of sophistication.

The Atmosphere
Jacks Lounge buzzes with suited and booted workers from nearby offices and you’ll barely have room to move on a Friday night. The well dressed bar staff add to the refined air, but the tacky fireplace DVD on TV is trying a little too hard. More relaxing during the beginning of the week, an in-house DJ livens things up on Thursdays and Fridays.

The Food
A modern British lunch menu is served from Monday to Friday, while evening snacks cater to the boozing crowd from Monday to Saturday. There are standard bites like Caesar salads, nachos, burgers, a sirloin steak sandwich or beer battered cod and fries (no mention if the cod is line-caught!), as well as lighter starters and sharing platters. While the evening snack menu is great for satisfying late night hunger pains, the food is unremarkable.

The Drink
There is an admirable cocktail list hovering around the £5.50 mark, as well as a decent selection of Champagnes and wines to suit all budgets (from £12 for the Chilean house up to £120 for a bottle of Dom Perignon). There are not many tap beers on offer (Amstell and Heineken) but there are plenty of bottled beers to choose from including Peroni, Corona and London Pride. Standard spirits are light on the purse strings, considering the sleek venue, at around £3.30.

The Last Word
Jacks Lounge is a beautiful bar that blends sophistication with a relaxing and welcoming vibe. Perfect for after-work tipples, mid-day munchies or partying until midnight.

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