To prepare for the move, the hospitality group worked closely with a German development chef to swap or adapt roughly half of its standard Lounge menu to better suit local preferences.
Instead of just copying the classic British cafe-bar format, the company is adjusting its service model.
The new German site will feature table service and reservations, setting it apart from its counterparts.
The brand name, Southville, pays tribute to the very first Lounge that opened in the Bristol suburb of Southville back in 2002. This autumn, the company will launch its first-ever international location under this new banner. The venue is scheduled to open this October in Rüttenscheid, a vibrant neighbourhood located in the German city of Essen.
Nick Collins, the chief executive of Loungers, stated that Germany felt like a natural first step after extensive market research. He noted that local dining and socialising habits align closely with the UK. Co-founder and chairman Alex Reilley added that ¡ Essen has the perfect neighbourhood energy, drawing parallels between the post-industrial transformation of Rüttenscheid and the early days of their original Bristol site.
In the UK, the company has grown to operate over 270 sites across its Lounge, Cosy Club, and Brightside brands. This upcoming launch represents a major step forward as the business explores international opportunities while attempting to maintain the community-driven, all-day dining experience that has fuelled its domestic success.