The Deaf Lounge, which opened last week in North London, is a first of a kind: a bar aimed specifically towards being a social venue for people with hearing impairments.
Paul Cripps, who has been deaf since birth, came up with the idea for the bar after years of experiencing difficulty ordering drinks. Working with a non-deaf friend, Domani Peir, the pair set up a specialist bar to help bring a more positive experience for other deaf people.
Deaf Lounge lets all people to go and enjoy themselves in a low-key, club-style social environment but with added benefits for deaf-people that just aren’t available at any other venue. For instance, the staff are trained in sign language, there is bright lighting, so customers can see each other speak with signs, and pens and paper are provided for writing messages. On top of that, the fire alarm has a flashing light to alert deaf customers and lavatory notices are in sign language as well as written English.
As well as deaf customers, the bar supports deaf staff too. Deaf Lounge has a deaf security guard, deaf bar staff and a partially deaf DJ. Music is an important part of the bar: played to attract non-deaf customers but the owners have also said that they plan to set up salsa, zumba and DJ workshops where deaf people will be taught to read beats and play instruments.
Paul Cripps has said that “the Deaf Lounge is open to both the deaf and non-deaf communities — I’m eager that it encourages deaf people to socialise with the wider society.” Romani Peir added: We want this bar to be about fun too and make deaf people feel alive again.”
Deaf Lounge sounds like a great experience for deaf people – an innovative idea with a great message behind it.
The Deaf Lounge has step-free access and lots of space to move around inside. Unfortunately at the moment they don’t have a disabled toilet because of a lack of funds (could anyone help out maybe?). They tell us they hope to have one installed in the next three to six months.
For now, we’re giving the Deaf Lounge a provisional 2 BBS Ticks. The idea of the bar is so brilliant but because of the toilet situation we have to take off marks for facilities. Once they install a toilet this should be a 3 Tick location
Hi could you tell me if this pub is due to re open soon , obviously after lockdown?
Unfortunately I believe this has closed