A kiosk of coffee and cocktails, Low Line Louie sits close to London Bridge station seasonally, serving SE1 locals from sunrise to sunset
Founder Chris Greenwood tells The Biscuit all about Louie the third…
The Biscuit: How did Low Line Louie arrive at London Bridge?
Chris Greenwood: Low Line Louie is the third in a series of sites in South London serving coffee by day, with our own baked bread and pastries, and alcohol by night, alongside local guest chefs throwing supper clubs and holding down residencies.
We were approached by Team London Bridge and Southwark Regeneration to take on a revolutionary new structure built on wasteland – which recently won a Professional Temporary National Civic Award.
Holyrood Street will soon be pedestrianised and we will be at the gateway of the Low Line!
Have you made friends with any neighbours, and where would you recommend nearby?
Our neighbours Nine Lives (a legendary bar and awesome tacos) and Fully Charged (the ultimate electric bike shop) have been very welcoming; James Donnelly of Bermondsey Bar & Kitchen cooks honest British fare; José Pizarro is the undisputed king of Spanish food at both his spots, José and Pizarro, and my good friend Eric Yu at The Last Talisman knows how to throw a good party.
Tell us about your seasons…
As we have no indoor area, and we are not fans of outdoor gas heaters, we hibernate from mid-October to mid-April each year.
What does your partnership with Redemption Coffee bring to Low Line Louie?
We have been working with Redemption for five years now. As well as roasting great coffee, their social model working with young offenders is exemplary and they help train our baristas to high standards.
What do you think are the perfect ingredients for a toastie?
First and foremost, it’s the sourdough we bake in-house at our bakery at Louie Louie on Walworth Road that carries the swing! Personally speaking, it’s got to be tuna in olive oil, freshly made mayo, mild cheddar and pickled chillis.
Where are the other Louie locations?
Louie Louie on Walworth Road, Little Louie in Elephant Park – where you’ll also find bike shop Fix Your Cycle (which works with the prison service in a similar manner to Redemption Coffee), craft shop SoLo Craft Fair, and Vintage Matters furniture – and South London Louie on the Camberwell/Peckham border as part of the South London Gallery, where we also host weekly supper clubs with up and coming chefs.
What’s next for Low Line Louie?
We look forward to the pedestrianisation of Holyrood Street and the opportunity to operate a food truck in front of the kiosk, a bit like Nine Lives do with their excellent Tigre Tacos truck.
Can you leave us with a secret?
Cat Nip: Our neighbour regularly brings her cat to our daily 5pm to 6pm, 2 for £12, cocktail happy hour.
7 Holyrood Street, SE1 2EL
