Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on January 30, 2020.

The ‘20s are back and the Lush Lounge is Floyd’s new prohibition-themed Speakeasy, complete with a discreet entrance that opens onto a wood paneled Poker Room bar and several unique lounge areas, including a silent movie screening room and a traveling carnival-themed room.

“We want you to step back in time, just relax and have a good time,” said co-owner Glen Parks Saturday night as he and his wife, Lindsey Parks, greeted surprised customers. “Are we still in Floyd” one customer asked, referring to the retro immersion-experience the Main Street lounge offers.

The Lush Lounge opened on the 100th year anniversary of prohibition, the weekend of January 17th.  It was host to two private events on Friday and Saturday, one for friends and family and one for local business and industry people. Sunday, January 19, was the first time it was open to the public. “We had a very good turnout,” Parks said.  A week later, Saturday night attendance exceeded the opening turn out.

Co-owner Lindsey Parks explained the lounge’s focus on craft cocktails. “All our cocktails are pre-prohibition or prohibition era, but we’ve done a futuristic molecular spin on them that will either be something visual, textural or scientific going on within the elements of your cocktail,” she said.

One drink changed color as the ice melted, another (Pink Lady) was covered with a rosemary bubble that burst into a smoky cloud. “We make all our own syrups and bitters in-house,” said server Stefan Bishop, including the grenadine pearls in the Mary Pickford, a rum-based cocktail with pineapple, luxardo liquer and grenadine. The Lounge’s tequila-based Remolacha’s recipe includes beets. Other cocktail offerings are named Apricot Flip, Pecan Pie Old Fashioned, Strawberry Boulevardier and Truffle Negroni.

The taste sensations don’t stop with drinks, which also included a wide variety of wine.  The food menu includes everything from caviar to croque monsieurs (gourmet grilled cheeses). Trempettes are tantalizing-sounding dips for sharing. There are confections and charcuteria boards (prepared meat plates paired with accompaniments like fruits, cheeses and bread) from the lounge’s Blind Pig Charcuteria, their delicatessen-like storefront that serves lunchtime sandwiches, Parkway Picnics to-go and more. Charcuteria offerings at The Blind Pig and Lush Lounge include Virginia Seasonal, French Country, Japanese, Mediterranean and Exotic Morrocan.

“I just think it’s way cool,” said Diane Davidson who was on her third time visiting the Lounge, even though it had only been open for a week. “Absolutely cool!” agreed Davidson’s friend BJ Bauermeister, who was at the Lounge for her first time.

The Blind Pig Charcuteria and Lush Lounge will be open 7 days a week, said Glen Parks, with the Lounge opening at 5 p.m. Tuesday is Industry Day, a day that features half-off croque monsieurs for local businesses and industry owners and staff.

Whether whiskey, wine, caviar or gourmet grilled cheese (or other treats you may not have heard of), the Lush Lounge has something for every adventurer, offered in an atmosphere that transcends the everyday. “It’s a passion,” said Lindsey Parks about her and her husband’s love of food and spirits and sharing the best of those with others.

-More photos HERE.

Check out Lush Lounge on Facebook. / Our World Tuesday