The “beautiful” bar said it offers something different on the street
Danilo the Italian mixologist at 62 Lounge on Castle Street.
An “unknown” Liverpool bar has said it is ready to “compete” with some of the city’s most popular venues. The team behind the Lounge at 62 on Castle Street said it wants to be known for being more than just a bar attached to a hotel.
Set in a Grade II-listed former bank building, the cocktail is discreetly situated on the lower floor of 62 Castle Street Hotel.
It has recently been sympathetically imagined, with the rich modern furnishings complementing the original features of its impressive past, like the ornate and decorative ceiling, the polished wooden panelling, and the glistening glass chandeliers.
Around opulent marble tables are sumptuous chairs in shades of teal and golden-coloured velvet; or visitors can choose to sit in snug and comfortable booths, or at benches which overlook Castle Street, enjoying the calm which contrasts with the busyness outside.
The cocktail bar is discreetly situated on the lower floor of 62 Castle Street Hotel.
Its interior design is one of the things the team, particularly bar manager Levi Fearon is most proud off.
The 34-year-old, from Toxteth but living in Wavertree, told the ECHO: “We’re still finding out feet. It’s fairly new, especially compared to the others on the street.
“It is a small venue and it is very unknown. Not people know about but, at the same time, the people who do know about keep coming because they enjoy the experience.
“When it does get busy, it’s not too loud. It’s still got a nice atmosphere where you can have a conversation, so it’s an ideal place before going out in town. It’s not in your face; it is its own place. It’s relaxed. We’ve got the look and the aesthetic, and we want others to see it. A lot has gone into this.”
The entrance to Castle Street’s 62(Image: Conory Photography)
Inside the venue, guests can find a curated drinks menu filled with premium brand spirits and well-chosen wines, from crisp whites to warmer reds and, of course, prosecco and Champagne.
However, the team’s mixologists are always on hand to whip up a cocktail if that is more your thing. Levi hopes his ever-changing signature ‘62’ cocktail will draw customers back as it gets a new flavour each month.
He added: “We are on Castle Street, a very busy city centre street. We are between two really busy bars, and a lot of people just know us as a hotel, but we are a bar ourselves. So on our quiet days, we spent a lot of time trying to get out there.
The Lounge at 62 has been open for just over a year now
“I’ve worked on this street for a while now, so I know how it works. We offer something different on this street. We want people to come and see that, see the difference – we want to be known more than just as the hotel’s bar.
“We are our own bar, our own separate piece. We want to compete with the neighbours. For the size of us and the street we are on, we do really well.
“We are killing it. With a little bit of a push, we could be doing a lot more. It is just a beautiful bar, and a space that balances sophistication with comfort.
Inside The Lounge at 62 Castle Street
“We’ve only been here for a year, and while we haven’t shouted out ourselves, there are still many people who’ve found us and come back time and time again. We might be a best-kept secret now, but we don’t think we’ll stay a hidden gem for long.”
Levi explained that despite the venue being open seven days a week it comes alive from Thursday to Sunday, when he and fellow mixologist Danilo take to the bar.
While the two are conjuring up cocktails, a DJ plays a mix of genres but primarily mellow house and old style disco.
Levi said the brand is focusing on getting known better within the area and after this, the next step will be to introduce some small plate offerings.