Had a nice time here. They do have friendly staff, tasty drinks, and fun people. It's a tiny establishment with mellow flavor and mostly normal folks.
Came in with a party so we found limited seating since we arrived too late for our reserved tables....Sadly the only jazz we saw was the 'band' closing up their instruments while our 'band' entered with its lively music. Yep, we were a force to be reckoned with -- God bless the friendly staff for tolerating one of our crazier friends after a long evening out. Â
There were definitely other strange folks there too, but what was nice is that everyone wanted to be part of the fun in general -- even the mellow folks.
No snobbery, just good drinks & nice tunes for random dancing and memories...
Plus the men were thrilled that they had tv.
I was looking forward to trying out this place despite getting lackluster responses from others who had been. Because I am a fan of Londel's bar uptown I thought the same vibe would translate in the new spot. I was mistaken. The drink options did not excite me at all and the prices for the ingredients they use (Ciroc in everything?) had me walk away disappointed. What sealed the deal was too loud (I'm not that old - I like my music loud) rap they were playing. It didn't fit the clientele that was in the lounge. It was giving me a headache and seriously stressing me out. I would have loved some nice jazz or at least "lounge" music. As I left they were changing the soundtrack, but by then it was too late. I might give them another shot, but the laminated drink menu and drink choices leave me high and dry.
Review Source:I really like this place. Some of the friendliest bar staff I've ever met! Laid back and friendly crowd, decent drinks, chill music. However I can't give it a higher rating at this point bc I've also had my drink served in a dirty glass :( Also this place is small. There's very limited seating and standing room in the main area of the lounge. Last Friday a friend and I stopped by around 11 but walked right back out bc the only seats available were a couple of lonely stools in an unlit corner between the front door and the bathroom :(
Review Source:If you're at all familiar with Rage Comics or anything from Reddit, you've probably seen the one of Obama saying "Not bad." That's generally how I felt about The L Lounge.
I'm new to Harlem night life. I used to always ride all the way down to HK to have a drink, but lately Uptown has been fulfilling my needs quite nicely. The L Lounge could stand to be a bit bigger, and should maybe invest in some nice window coverings for those dark and gloomy nights when floor-to-ceiling views of the mostly-empty sidewalk isn't ideal.
But it's not bad. It's cute, the servers are pleasant, and the drinks are great. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
If the L'Lounge and I had a courting conversation I think it would go a little like this:
LL: You wanna come in for a drink?
Me: No. You're really not my type. Sorry dude.
LL: C'mon. Â Aren't you sick of the same type of places?
Me: *giggles* I guess. Â But you have blue lighting. Â I stay away from places like you.
LL: Try me for  5 minutes.
Me: Â Fine. Â
LL: So what do you think?
Me: You're kinda cute I guess. Â Your cocktails are somewhat overpriced and really sweet.
LL: Well you must like something about me because you've been here for a few hours.
Me: You're right. Â Your friends behind the bar are pretty cool and they let me sample some wine for free. Â They also let a couple play their anniversary playlist while the rest of us watched them awkwardly do the Lambada. Â That was really thoughtful.
LL: And my outfit?
Me: It was nice.  I like that you had panels of  photographs of Harlem back in the day on the ceiling.  You've got great hygiene too.  So clean and polished.
LL: So you think maybe, just maybe we can go out again sometime?
Me: Â Oh LL. Â I think so. Â I really like your swag.
My wife and I usually stop by on a Friday to unwind. Â We usually get good service however today our red wine was served with lipstick around the rim of the glass. I approached the server to change the glass and then the service went downhill from there. Our glasses were cleared without being offered another round nor did anyone offer us the check. On top of that the owner was present greeting guests.
Review Source:I appreciate a new place in Harlem that isn't a restaurant or bar - having options in style make Frederick Douglas even more of a draw when I know I can hop around and change my mind and find something I want. I also really appreciate the very friendly staff - manager and bartender both shaking hands of everyone in the party, introducing themselves, and were quick to replace a drink that wasn't being drunk with something else more to our liking.
However, the $14 cocktails were all very very sweet, even upon the second making, leading me to believe that their purees already have sweetener added and can't be made with no sugar. Organic, natural sweetener, but still, sweetener. Besides the sweetness I liked the flavor, but could hardly finish my drink.
In the bright light of day the rust colored paint and black furniture looks a bit drab, but the ceiling art is beautiful and if lit well at night I'm sure it's quite striking.
The food options that came out look not so good - on this street with many food options I'd encourage them to get rid of the half assed menu items and just put out some bar snacks to keep bar patrons from leaving, or re-commit to coming up with items that can rival the things available elsewhere...
We decided to end our night at a very beautiful L lounge. The decor here is very vibrant with intimate lights, sofas, and an entertaining jazz band. While not jamming to the band, we were all cheering to the Olympic broadcast on the over head televisions throughout the Lounge.
We ordered drinks from the waitress as we sat at sofas, which came fast. However we honestly never saw her again until it was time for me to track her down for the bill. But still, it was a pleasant visit. Â Would love to come back for the smooth environment.
Cheers
The L Lounge reminds me of a hotel bar/ lounge, dim lit, comfortable and very cozy. Its one of the few places you can still catch a live jazz band in Harlem. We ordered 2 beers and sat down on the couch to watch the Olympic games. The band played in the background which kept the noise up.
I think its a nice spot for casual and intimate drinks.
*Walked by on Sunday and I was disappointed that The L Lounge was closed.
There are so many cool bonuses about this establishment!
They remember your drinks... even after not seeing you for a month (or so.). Â A few of the bartenders speak French, (and I'm sure other languages). Â And they make it a real experience to be there. Â This lounge might as well be your very cool, hip living room filled with a great cast of people.
You can feel comfortable bringing your friends from all walks of life, although I would suggest that even if your casual, it's clean casual. Â If you're looking for a frat party, this is not that spot.
If you make it to this block in Harlem, you DEFINITELY need to stop in and show some love! While you're at it, stay a while!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place. Â I came in with my friend after having a hellish experience at Moca Lounge a couple blocks down. Â The place is spit clean (as is Londel's other location) and the staff was so nice. Â Our waiter (wish I had gotten the young gentlemen's name) was extremely nice and attentive. Â He answered all our questions and when he didn't know he went and asked someone. Â I can't wait to go back next week. Â
My only complaint is I wish Happy Hour was til 8pm. Â Can you work on that? Â :-)
When you are looking for a fly lounge where the bartenders and hostess remember you and your favorite drink GO HERE!!. I would utilize this place for pre or post date night experience, especially if I can get a seat on one the couches in the corner. A definite crowd pleaser except for one time when some random guy decided it was time to ask the live band could he warm up for his American Idol audition (Fail).
Review Source:As more and more spots open in Harlem, you would think the restaurant staff would stop treating people like crap. Last night, I found out that was not the case. After dinner at Bier International, my friend and I where going to stop and grab a drink at L lounge.
I walked in, was going to use the restroom before sitting at the bar. I reached for the bathroom door and it was locked. As I looked up, the bartender was walking to get something out of the closed next to the restroom. She looks at me, and in an absently terrible tone says "restroom is for costumers only". I looked at her and explained I had to use the restroom before sitting.
I also said I would buy a drink, then use the bathroom if it was a big deal. She continued to treat me with complete disrespect, finally through my hands up and said "what kid of bar is this"? Â The lady it the stool next to me looks up and in a bitchy tone says "this is a lounge".
I walked out, and will never return and will tell my friends never to go there. Not to management, fire that bartender.
Tom
The L Lounge is a new bar at the corner of 115th St and 8th Ave. Apparently, it's a side project related to Londel's which is in the 130s-140s - the guy grew up in Harlem, made a bundle, and decided to bring it all back to the neighborhood. While Londel's is a restaurant and jazz club, this place is more of a straight ahead lounge with ultraviolet lights and bottles of Grey Goose and such on the walls. It doesn't seem like this is a place catering to gourmet cocktails and a large variety of spirits. Most of the bottles on the wall are just multiples of the same kind. The drinks are a bit expensive at $13 for their premium cocktails. They also don't seem to have a coherent menu yet, the bartender actually came over to pitch his specials to us. I chalk all this up to their relative youth as an establishment in the area. They are merely OK right now because you can get a more delicious drink over at 67 Orange Street or Lido. They seem to be targeting a pre-club, "ballin'" kind of crowd that doesn't much care what they're drinking so long as it's being done in a slick looking establishment. I'm not giving up on them, so I'll be returning here once in a while to see how they're evolving. Good luck!
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