It will be the West Country-based cafe bar group’s 256th Lounge to date
10:34, 12 Jun 2025Updated 10:35, 12 Jun 2025
Loungers venues are known for their eclectic interiors(Image: Bhagesh Sachania)
A brand new Lounge venue is opening in Bristol next week.
Loungers, the Bedminster-founded cafe bar group is set to open the doors to Miro Lounge in Brislington, its 256th Lounge, next Wednesday (June 18).
The local brand has transformed the former Bocabar at Paintworks with its famed patterned wallpapers, wooden floors, oversized vintage sofas, upholstered lounge chairs, eclectic artwork and statement lamps and lighting.
With the aim of ‘creating a variety of cosy and elegant drinking and dining areas to choose from’, and described as being ‘a home from home’, Miro Lounge will have a ‘varied and innovative’ menu.
The all-day menu will feature everything from breakfast, tapas and salads, to burgers and buttermilk fried chicken, as well as separate menus filled with dishes suitable for those with vegan or gluten-free diets.
This venue will have a selection of games, books, colouring pencils and pads, perfect for families with children of all ages. Dubbed ‘Little Loungers’, there will be a full kids’ menu, as well as high chairs and baby-changing facilities on site.
John English, head of community at Loungers, said: “We’re so excited to open the doors of Miro Lounge next week and show off what we’ve done to this well-loved building.
“As we’ve said previously, we’re as passionate about community and great hospitality as Mel and Paul Eavis, the previous owners of Bocabar so we’re sure locals and visitors will enjoy what we have to offer.”
Mel and Paul Eavis, owners of Bocabar Paintworks, announced its closure in March 2025 as it is set to become a new Loungers(Image: Loungers)
Bocabar closed its doors at its Paintworks venue on March 31, after 21 years of service, BristolLive reported earlier in the year.
The bar, which was set up in 2004 by co-owners Mel and Paul Eavis, was established in the early stages of the redevelopment of the Paintworks site. Bocabar Paintworks had grown out of the former small pizza/deli Bocacina, in Wells Road, and the Bocanova restaurant in Colston Street.
Mel and Paul said at the time: “It will be a heartfelt wrench to close the doors on Bocabar Paintworks after so many years.
“There are many customers and friends who we are so grateful to for their loyalty to us over the years so a huge thank you to them. Loungers now offer the opportunity for new investment in the building and to make it a sustainable space during these tougher economic times.”
Bocabar’s Finzels Reach venue remains open and will be further developed as time goes on. Mel and Paul added: “It means a lot to us that our regulars will be able to continue to enjoy the space as a daytime cafe and evening bar/restaurant with affordable drink and food menus.
“It also makes us happy that all our lovely team have the opportunity of working at Miro Lounge when it pens, so our customers will see some familiar faces and feel at home!
“Having the one Bocabar at Finzels Reach will be easier to manage. We are very excited about having more time to focus on developing further Bocabar Finzels Reach and having more time for other interests we have.”