Velvet ropes, secret passwords, smoking shower, tiki torches, dragonfruit garnish, labrynthian basement, cheap (delicious) drinks, dancing bartenders and an owner who may or may not let you in but is certainly a friendly character once you are.
I would caveat my review by saying that mine was an atypical introduction to this little place, but I think everyone's is.
Lumiere is intriguing enough from the street -- a roped in area around the door stuffed with plants and lights, and inside even more so. A tiny ground floor has a small bar where "jolly hour" lasts from 6-9pm and includes a £5 special cocktail and 3-for-£10 on beers.
Downstairs lies a dirt-floored basement with off-shoots of rooms and another (even smaller) bar. A slightly raised up box is a stage I'm told, though no one was playing this particular night. An outdoor, small, tiled room with no roof allows smokers to get their fix without going out the front.
Blinking party lights decorate throughout and a general tiki theme is sort of pulled off. It kind of feels like you're at that one amazing house party those one guys throw every year -- and this is the last year it's cool, before it gets too crowded and those obnoxious sorority girls start showing up and killing the chilled vibe.
The cocktails are very well made with lovely, fresh juice and fruit. Speaking of, I'm not sure why this is referred to as a juice bar everywhere online - perhaps it's a cover... the intrigue deepens...
I took some photos but have decided not to post them. It doesn't really do them justice, and some things just have to be experienced to understand. read more