Venture past the entrance and its Barbie doll heads. Inside, you'll discover a realm where gorgeous hipsters sip cocktails, rub shoulders and eavesdrop on each other.
Cocktail-fuelled conversations and whispered sweet nothings are undoubtedly divine. But they're even more appealing at this naughty West End bar, where eavesdropping is compulsory.
You see, Lychee Lounge possesses an unusual metallic ceiling dome that plays wicked acoustic tricks. It bounces private conversations around the room - so, you can be sipping your scotch in one spot and listening to juicy chats being spilt somewhere else.
Aside from this quirky sound device, the venue also possesses a handful of other design eccentricities. Its entrance area is bizarrely decorated with a collection of brightly lit Barbie doll heads. There's also an ice-covered cabinet filled with vodka infusions, and a strange bench positioned directly below the sound dome, which features moving sand and hand patterns, constantly shifting beneath its surface.
The interior setting is luxurious and comfy in style, decked out in eclectic oriental pieces and French boudoir touches.
Meanwhile, the soundscape is unmistakeably laidback. Expect chilled beats and soft jazzy interludes. DJs currently play on Wednesdays and Sundays, however the schedule may be expanded in the future.
Slink your way over to the bar and order a gourmet Bloody Mary with sundried tomatoes, or a signature Lychee Lounge concoction, which fittingly mixes lychee vodka and lychee juice together with Cointreau and fresh lime.
If hunger strikes, turn to some tempura beetroot or a plate of pad thai, and you won't be disspointed. The bar took out the award for Best Bar Food at the Bar Awards in 2006.
Andrea Tomaz
