Opening date for new Bold Street restaurant confirmed after closure of iconic venue
The opening date for Bold Street’s newest restaurant has been revealed, following the closure of LEAF last year.
Siblings Natalie and Graham Haywood made the decision to close the much-loved venue, described as “a beating heart”, for good in September.
Opening in 2010, the venue hosted thousands of live gigs, DJ sets, art events, weddings, parties, talks, and more. This echoed its past as The Yamen Café, where similar experiences were shared over a century ago and only discovered when a near-pristine menu from 1913 fluttered down from the rafters during building work, in a story which went global.
LEAF later expanded to Smithdown Road and West Kirby, though the West Kirby branch sadly closed at the start of 2025.
Shortly after the Bold Street venue closed, restaurant chain Loungers – behind the likes of Cosy Club, Milo Lounge and Brasco Lounge – lodged plans to take over the iconic building.
Now, the opening date for the new restaurant - Deco Lounge - has been confirmed.
The venue will open at 9.00am on February 4. It will close at 4.00pm for its special opening party, before reopening to the public from 8.00pm.
Despite not yet being open, Loungers has faced controversy after the site’s historic art deco windows were removed without relevant planning permission.
The LDRS reported in October that the 1930s Crittall windows were removed and replaced with aluminium double-glazed alternatives. Loungers said the removal was carried out by the landlord.
A spokesperson for Loungers said: “The original Art Deco shopfront was a big part of what attracted us to the site, and we’re very keen to see the windows reinstated and the façade returned to its Art Deco glory.
“The removal of the original features was carried out by the landlord, and responsibility for reinstating the windows and façade sits with them. They’re currently working with the planning authorities to ensure the restoration is done properly.
“As it’s specialist work, it will take a few months, but we agree it’s important to get it right and to protect and celebrate the building’s heritage.”
Natalie and Graham Haywood said: “As the landlords of 65-67 Bold Street in Liverpool, we took the decision to remove the existing windows after it was deemed they could not longer be repaired. In progressing this work, we acknowledge that poor professional advice was followed, both in relation to the need for planning permission and the specification of the replacement windows.
“This was an error, and we fully accept responsibility for it. We apologise for the concern this has caused to the local community and the new tenants, Loungers.
“We have now submitted a planning application and are working closely with Liverpool City Council’s planning department to replace the windows. The proposed replacements will be custom-made on a like-for-like basis, ensuring the original design, proportions, and appearance of the building are fully restored.
“A detailed plan of the replacement windows forms part of the planning application, and we are committed to completing the works in a transparent and responsible manner, in full compliance with planning requirements. We estimate the completion of the works will be mid-spring, though this depends entirely on how long it takes to craft them as they are bespoke windows.”