No matter what century it was about, but Russia has always been famous for its restaurants, taverns and even small eateries. Today you can easily find an institution where you can not only have a tasty meal, but also spend a pleasant time. Recently, lounge bars are gaining more and more popularity. Accordingly, more and more owners are trying to designate their particular cafe by that name. But can they all be so called? How to understand a simple visitor, inexperienced in this matter?
What it is?
The phrase "lounge bar" first appeared in English-speaking countries back in the 60s of the last century. In such establishments, pleasant unobtrusive music was still heard at the entrance, and the design preferred a minimalist style. It was a place where they gathered primarily for communication. Actually, that's why such a name. The word "lounge" is translated from English as "living room". There was even a separate style of music with the same name.
Modern lounge bars, taking this idea as a basis, often offer their guests a wider range of services. But most importantly, in such a cafe, first of all, it should be cozy and comfortable. Often the lounge bar for this reason is designed for a small number of visitors. In addition, the menu of such institutions should not look for hot and delicious dishes. People come here primarily for informal communication in a friendly atmosphere.
In Russia there are many similar institutions. But which one can be said that this is the best lounge bar? Photos and reviews from other visitors can tell a lot. Among the residents and visitors of the country, the most popular are Bourgeois, Shishas and Mao. They are located on different ends of the country, but they have a lot in common.
Lounge bar "Bourgeois", Bryansk
In the lounge bar "Bourgeois" its owners managed to fully embody the idea of a pleasant pastime. For visitors there are always 4 cozy halls with a different mood, and in the summertime there is also an open veranda. Each of the rooms is beautiful in its own way.
In the largest white room you feel a certain majesty and pomp. Perhaps due to the combination of white and red, as well as the choice of a classic style for decoration. However, it is also the largest hall in the Bourgeois. Here you can always listen to live music, even invite a lady to dance. Themed evenings take place on weekends, and children's parties are organized in the daytime.
Not so big, but this no less cozy red room is more suitable for communication in an informal setting. Here you can relax sitting on soft sofas. In addition to pleasant music, they will offer the best dishes of European and Asian cuisine. Also for those who want to show themselves, a karaoke room is open. The name speaks for itself.
Teahouse number 1 from the "Bourgeois"
Teahouse No. 1 is the hall that makes the Bourgeois lounge bar special. It is decorated in accordance with all the traditions of the east. These are beautiful carved windows, carpets on the walls and floor and an abundance of red in the interior. The main thing is that in this teahouse every visitor feels like a long-awaited guest, who is offered all the best. The corresponding music plays here, and serves Uzbek cuisine. Although at will, you can choose from the entire menu. Just for the sake of it it is worth visiting the Bourgeois bar in Bryansk.
"Shishas": lounge bar, Moscow
Shishas Lounge Bar is very popular among Muscovites and guests of the capital, and this is not the first year. And this is quite natural. The owners managed to combine European minimalism, an oriental atmosphere and a Russian scale under one roof. In the daytime, you can have a delicious lunch here, and even at a discount. Those in a hurry should not worry. Quick waiters and skilled cooks will be happy to offer dishes in 15-20 minutes after ordering.
In the evening, “Shishas” - the lounge bar - turns into a completely different place where you can have fun with your friends under the perky DJ sets. The bar offers the best cocktails and alcoholic drinks from around the world. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and here everyone is waiting for unbridled fun. For those who do not want to mix with the crowd even on weekends, small VIP lounges are specially provided. They are great for a romantic date, a bachelorette party or friendly get-togethers.
Hookah - the pride of the lounge bar
However, what they come here from all over the capital for is, of course, an amazing hookah. The owners of the institution call their masters nothing more than shamans. For each company, they can choose their own tobacco mix and prepare a unique hookah. In the Shishas Lounge Bar there are more than a hundred of them on the menu alone. But guests can create a mix to their liking, as well as ask to do something special and surprise. And here they really are able to surprise. It is not for nothing that the lounge bar has the word "Shishas" in its name. Which is translated and means hookah.
The lounge bar "Mao", Rostov-on-Don
For the first time, having crossed the threshold of this lounge bar, it’s hard to even understand which country I’m in. Here the traditions of east and west are skillfully intertwined. At first, the interior and the created atmosphere as a whole transfer visitors to either Morocco or the Emirates. However, European sofas and menus recall the institutions of London or Barcelona. The lounge bar "Mao" has its own for each visitor.
But the main thing that everyone promises here is a cozy and friendly atmosphere, high-class service and the best menu in the city. And, of course, as in any eastern institution, they will offer a hookah and a variety of tea. For those who come to eat, there are more substantial snacks on the menu. Although, first of all, the lounge bar "Mao" is an institution for relaxing the soul, and then the body.
And what about other cities?
Of course, in almost every major city in Russia there are lounge bars. All these establishments are different in design and menu, but they have one thing in common - it is a pleasant relaxing atmosphere. This is what distinguishes such cafes from others. Residents of provincial and capital cities can only find their lounge bar.
Samara, as the informal capital of the Volga region, on its territory sheltered about 50 such institutions. The most popular among residents is the Lotus lounge bar located in the city center. Its interior is made in strict European traditions using chocolate, beige and purple colors. Music in the style of Deep & Lounge allows you to fully relax on the soft sofas and enjoy all the ordered dishes and drinks.
In St. Petersburg, it’s difficult to single out any one institution. However, the northern capital is always distinguished by higher requirements for the interior and musical accompaniment. And therefore, here you can find genuine lounge bars, decorated with European meticulousness. These are, first of all, the restaurants "Mon Ami", "Gatherings" and the bar "Javier".
Beyond the Urals, there are also many such institutions. So, in Novosibirsk, the SmokeKing lounge bar is very popular, where you can have a great time smoking a hookah and drinking tea. In addition, themed evenings are often held here and they play the popular Mafia. By the way, anyone who does not want to see strangers can retire simply by lowering the curtains. For such a VIP-zone, no one would even think to take an extra charge.
Finally...
Lounge bars have become familiar to Russian reality. However, only some of them can be called that way. The rest of the institutions are rather stylized for them, but in the worst case they have nothing to do with their name. However, if visitors want to return to this cafe or restaurant over and over again, the name no longer plays a significant role.