Circo Lounge occupies a spot on Poole Road in the heart of Westbourne, directly across from the neighbourhood’s historic Westbourne Arcade. It’s a branch of the Lounges group, the same café-bar chain behind sites across the UK, but this one has settled into its own corner of the village with a compact street frontage that opens into a deeper, light-filled room and a terrace tucked away at the back.
The food
The menu runs on the Lounges format: all-day brunch through to evening dining, with dishes like a hot honey fried chicken burger and a Byron Bay-style brunch built around sweetcorn fritters. Coffee and drinks get equal billing, including options like an iced blueberry matcha latte alongside the usual cocktail and wine list. Dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus sit alongside a children’s menu, and Click & Collect ordering is available for those who’d rather eat elsewhere.
The setting
Inside, roof lanterns bring natural light into the main room, and the décor leans into a vintage, eclectic look with plenty of cosy corners and communal tables for groups. Push further back and there’s a hidden terrace, the kind of outdoor space you wouldn’t necessarily guess at from the Poole Road pavement. The venue also hosts occasional events, including a Coffee & Crime book club and a Little Loungers breakfast club aimed at younger visitors.
Where it is
Poole Road is Westbourne’s main run of independent shops and cafés, and Circo sits right on it, opposite the Westbourne Arcade. It’s an easy stop before or after browsing the Westbourne shops, and within walking distance of the clifftop and chine paths that lead down towards the seafront.
Good to know
Circo Lounge opens Sunday to Thursday from 9am to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday from 9am to 11pm. It takes walk-ins for parties of six or fewer, with bookings recommended for larger groups. The venue is dog-friendly, has a wheelchair-accessible restroom, and runs family-focused programming through its Little Loungers scheme. For the latest offers, seasonal menu changes or to check hours around holidays, it’s worth confirming directly via the website or by phone before visiting.