The Lounge, not just a Bar, but somewhere which Viola Beach regarded as their second home is reopening after friends clubbed together to secure the lease. Established on Springfield Street it was where songwriter Kris Leonard, bassist Tom Lowe and drummer Jack Dakin worked on and off when they were chasing their dreams of making it in the music industry. It as also a place the band honed their skills rehearsing for shows and occasionally slept.
Six friends, including Darren Beddard who originally ran the venue, have rallied around to relaunch the Springfield Street bar in Viola Beach and manager Craig Tarry’s memory.
The Lounge was also a focal point for hundreds of tributes to Kris, Jack, Tom, River Reeves and Craig after the tragic crash in Sweden on February 13.The launch this Friday 29th July, will see the full playback of the band’s album and Viola Beach cocktails will be available. Part of the profits will be going to the Viola Beach Memorial Fund.
Viola Beach’s families have also made the difficult decision to take down the tributes to the boys which adorn The Lounge’s windows. 
Lisa, 43, said: “The tributes are beautiful. It has been overwhelming to see how lovely people have been. “But we feel it’s the right time to take them down. Everything will be put in a box and kept. We’re going to decorate and put some pictures up.”
As someone who spent many nights in The Lounge, putting events on and also lining the basement venue wall watching bands play, it is great to see a real institution of the Warrington Music Scene make its return.
[WAM] 