Food & Drink To Make You Drool - Eye Love It! (Evil Eye Lounge (York))

Member Name: littlemisspolly

Product:	Evil Eye Lounge (York)
Date:	15/10/09 (78 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unusual atmosphere, hard to find drinks

Disadvantages: Can be very busy

The Evil Eye Lounge is a really unusual bar on the cobbled shopping street of Stonegate. It can easily be missed as it is fronted by its shop (see photo) which sells an array of spirits, beers and ciders - with a good selection in the fridge which is good to know. Look out for the big blue eye sign as you walk down the street to spot the bar. (The shop also has another outlet a few doors down.)

We had visited the shop a few times before we realised the dark door at the back of the shop led to a bar! Once through there you are met with a very long bar, behind which is the biggest array of bottles of spirits and liqueurs I have ever seen. There is also a huge range of beers, lagers and cider - not your run of the mill Strongbow and Fosters for this place.

Beyond the bar is a lovely bright seating area next to a full height window. Through the door here is the sheltered terrace with several small tables. The only problem is if you sit inside near the terrace the smoke from cigarettes outside does filter through - something you might like to consider when choosing where to sit if you are a non-smoker.

Going up to the first floor, to the left of the stairs is an area of tables, chairs and computers. To the right of the stairs is another seating area with a couple of tables overlooking the street below. It's lovely to sit here and people watch. The best part of this area is the two beds, yes beds. They are huge dark wood constructions covered with brightly coloured scatter cushions. One has a tv and the other a computer. Team these with the scrummy cocktails and I can see myself falling to sleep here one day!

Speaking of the cocktails the Evil Eye Lounge has a very extensive list, from the traditional, to modern, to their own concoctions. The prices aren't the cheapest around here, but they are definitely worth it. They are a very popular drink here and that can lead to a bit of a wait at the bar as a cocktail takes a while for the bartender to make.

There is also a very extensive food menu based around thai food, everything from snacks to nibble with your drinks to full main course curries of various strengths, and everything inbetween. There are plenty of meat, fish and vegetarian options of most dishes. A traditional British roast is served on Sunday's, again with a vegetarian option, in three sizes - the largest not being for the faint-hearted! The prices are extremely reasonable and everything is freshly cooked to order.

The ambience is busy but chilled - helped by the decor of an eclectic mix of dark and stripped wood, bright colour-washed walls and vivid soft furnishings.

This being a busy place, the staff are always working hard, but I have always found them to be friendly and really helpful - they really know their stuff.

I would highly recommend this bar to anyone wanting something a little different from the chains or traditional pubs around.

Summary: Deifnitely worth a try if you like something different