Joe Lounge is a proper niche spot in Upper Norwood that doubles down on its quirks - vinyl-only music (think Jazz, Bossa Nova, and fusion from owner Ben's personal collection) and house-made soft drinks using 100% natural ingredients, including tonic water crafted from Cinchona Bark. It's the kind of place you seek out if you're after something different, but don't expect to stumble upon it accidentally; the limited hours (closed Tuesdays, very short Thursday slot) and no online presence mean you'll need to plan ahead.
A quirky vinyl-only bar with house-made drinks
Joe Lounge is one of those peculiar London bars that either clicks with you or it doesn't. Located on Church Road in Upper Norwood, this place commits fully to its concept: every track played is from vinyl (Ben's collection of Jazz, Bossa Nova, and fusion), and all their soft drinks are made in-house using natural ingredients. The tonic water, reportedly brewed from Cinchona Bark, is a talking point in itself.
The atmosphere is intimate and unpretentious, though the limited opening hours are a real pain - they're closed on Tuesdays and only open until 5pm on Thursdays. There are no reviews to speak of online, which suggests it's either a well-kept local secret or struggling to find its audience. It's not for everyone, but if you're into the idea of sipping a house-made drink while listening to proper vinyl, it's worth a visit. Just check the hours first.