ake a Thursday evening stroll through the unloved Parkdale section of town. Continue heading west on Dundas West stopping at the bright orange entrance. Notice the attractive group of winers, diners and dancers enjoying the conversation and the Brazilian beats amongst 4,000 square feet of dance hall pleasure; dark wood floors, dining/cocktail tables, bright glass lamps hang from the ceiling, a small stage at the back.

Pass through the brightly coloured portals and take a seat inside by the bar. As you sip your $10.00 Cuban Special take a glimpse into the grand art gallery/nightclub/dining room constructed mainly for the purpose of having complete, unobstructed, fun.

The crowd grows as the evening moves on. A look back toward the bar reveals that fashion conscience twenty and thirty somethings move in and take their places. Brazilian cocktail orders and introductions are being made as the crowd becomes friendlier and friendlier with each delectable sip.

As the voices heighten, so does the tempo and volume of the music. Your cocktail table by the bar has been cleared for the dance party and the evening has started its course. The once soft contemporary Latin beats have now taken the pace of hyper Salsa and meringue, and those who were observed just moments before, peacefully enjoying their Cuban roast pork, have abandoned their cutlery and are now whipping each other into a psychotic frenzy on the dance floor.

Lula Lounge develops lounge-slash-club status with night owls residing inside and out. The Brazilian nation grows as the line filters in off the streets, entering free of charge and ready to go. The rabble is Latino, Euro-American and the rest of us. The vibe is upbeat, relaxed and alive! Though far from Clubland, the scene tends to take on it's own meat-market effect at times, but a bumpin salsa band and anything goes party feeling are enough to exonerate the offense.