OQO Lounge (permanently closed)

Address: 4-6 Islington Green, Islington, London, N1 2XA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 207 704 2332
Website: view OQO Lounge’s website

Style: Lounge bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes

Review

Hidden from Upper Street by leafy Islington Green, OQO is the Islington outpost of the Ignite Group, better known for its Eclipse bars. The long, narrow, interior is ultra-modern designer cool, with black floor, black walls and a forty foot long black granite bar counter atop a backlit, woodgrain front which gives warmth to the otherwise austere room. A trio of circular images of food and drink behind the bar stylishly reflect the three letters of its name.

While there is an able team of bartenders here and a cocktail menu which references the likes of Dale deGroff, it is fruity crowd pleasers such as 'The Boogie Monster' served in a whole cored pineapple with rum that appeal to the clientele, many of which are city boys and girls by day. The wine list stretches to Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc with a round selection along the way.

Tall shiny beer fonts are a recent addition to the bar counter but sadly they dispense an uninspiring offering with the bottled beer options also pretty disappointing.