Inside Lulu, the New Emerald-Tinged Lounge Slinging Fruit-Infused Cocktails

Flamin’ Hot Cheeto tortas and bright and fruity cocktails are coming to SE Grand. Lulu, the new emerald-green bar with sleek design touches and plenty of plants, opens tonight with inexpensive drinks and chillwave on the stereo.

Tucked between Kachinka and Dig a Pony, Lulu comes from a handful of Century and Capitol alums hoping to open an inexpensive cocktail bar with good food and tropical house djs on the weekends. “I see it as a great date spot,” says co-owner Vijay Kumar. “It’s where you start your night.”

The bar had been hosting friends-and-family nights starting Saturday, opening to the public tonight at 6 p.m. All of the bar’s cocktails and food are $10 or less, from the $3 beers to the various drinks incorporating culinary touches like muddled fruit. For example, the Pretty Ugly pairs kiwi and mezcal with lime and celery bitters, while the Fake News combines strawberry, tequila, and grapefruit bitters. “We wanted to offer craft cocktails without the craft cocktail price,” Kumar says.

Chef Abel Hernandez, who spent time at Tamale Boy and Xico, helped develop the menu at Lulu, with a few bowls, a carnitas quesadilla, and a salad with escabeche and avocados. Kumar was particularly taken with a carnitas torta, stacked with house guacamole, arugula, chipotle mayo, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. “At first I was like, ‘Why are we putting a Frito product in our food?” he says. “But I was pretty thoroughly impressed.” Lulu is open tonight at 6 p.m.; take a look below for a peek at the menu and inside the space.

Dina Avila/EPDX

Updated March 20, 2019, 1:18 p.m.: This story has been updated to include the bar’s menu and drink details.

• Lulu [Official]
• Lulu [Instagram]
• Previous Century coverage [EPDX]
• Previous Capitol coverage [EPDX]
• Emerald Green Is the New Restaurant Design Power Color [Eater]