In a heartening nod to its roots, Bristol-born café/bar chain Loungers is returning to its hometown to open its latest venue—Rubino Lounge—in Redfield, bringing fresh energy, 30 new jobs, and a welcoming community space to Church Road.
Set to open its doors on August 6, Rubino Lounge is taking over a former bargain gift and homeware shop and transforming it into one of Loungers’ signature relaxed, eclectic hangouts. Locals can expect a space where mismatched vintage furniture meets colourful walls and hearty food is served from breakfast through to dinner.
The new venue will mark the 261st Lounge in the chain’s fast-growing estate, a testament to the group’s rapid rise from a single Bedminster café in 2002 to a national lifestyle brand. But for Loungers, success has never meant losing its community-first spirit.
John English, head of community at Loungers, emphasized the group’s continued commitment to local connections. “We’re not just here to serve food and drinks,” he said. “We’re here to become a part of the neighbourhood—to be a place where people gather, celebrate, and feel at home.”
Rubino Lounge hopes to become a fixture in Redfield life, offering a family-friendly setting and encouraging local residents to use the space for events and meetups. “Anyone looking for a space to host groups or activities should definitely stop by. We’d love to support whatever brings people together,” English added.
The chain, which also operates Cosy Club and Brightside restaurants, has set its sights on reaching over 600 outlets in the coming years. In January, Loungers was acquired by US-based Fortress Investment Group for £354 million, joining a portfolio that includes Majestic Wines and Curzon cinemas. Despite this global interest, Loungers continues to invest in local communities, with each Lounge uniquely designed and tailored to its neighbourhood.
Last year’s opening of Ritorno Lounge on Bristol’s Harbourside became the company’s best-performing new site ever—showing that Loungers’ blend of comfort, quirk, and community still strikes a chord. With Rubino Lounge, the chain is once again proving that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of charm—and that the beating heart of a brand can still be found in the city where it all began.
