Vetro Lounge, Rotherham – Restaurant Review
By Graham Clark, May 2025
One of the fastest-expanding restaurant and bar groups in the country is the Lounge chain. With thirty new openings planned for this year alone, Rotherham is the latest to debut, having opened at the beginning of May.
Each outlet has a name influenced by the town or city it is based in – hence the Rotherham unit being named Vetro Lounge, referencing Rotherham’s glassmaking heritage, with Vetro being the word for glass.
Located on the new Forge Island development, it’s a short walk from the town centre. Driving there, though, presents a few challenges – the signposts to the area are not particularly prominent. If arriving by car, Google Maps or a satnav will be invaluable. There is a large car park which, at present, is free when visiting Vetro, the cinema, or the new hotel, all on the same complex.
“Extensive menu”
Conventional is not a word that springs to mind when describing a Lounge. The décor at all Lounges bears the same trademark: think way too many paintings on the walls, wooden floors, cosy settees alongside traditional tables and chairs, lamps and shades that look like they’ve come out of a fortune teller’s parlour, and a board game area for younger – and older – guests.
The outside seating area catches the afternoon sun and is an ideal spot for dining or enjoying a drink from the extensive menu, which includes offers such as two of the same cocktail for £12.95 every day from 5pm until close. Glasses of wine start at £5.50, with draught beer at £5.65 and bottled at £4.95. Free tap water is self-serve from a dispenser at the end of the bar.
The food menu is a copious one, with brunch served all day, including the popular Lounge Breakfast (£10.95). The mains focus on burgers, sandwiches, curries, salads and tapas – three for £13.50.
Korean Fried Chicken Burger
“Tender and moreish”
Food is ordered either at the bar or via the QR code placed on each table. Service was friendly, and a team effort prevailed throughout our visit.
Mains arrived within ten minutes of being ordered. My Korean Fried Chicken Burger (£14.95), served with mature cheddar, a very strong gochujang ketchup, pickled cucumber, spring onion, lettuce and ssamjang mayo, was accompanied by fries and house mayo as standard. The hot, tender and moreish chicken made for a good introduction to Vetro.
My partner’s Bang Bang Chicken (£15.50), served with noodles, pak choi, broccoli, peas and carrot, all in a coconut sauce, was luscious and generous – a better-value dish than mine, it seemed.
Bang Bang Chicken
“Buzzing environment”
With the Lounge having only been open ten days at the time of our visit, a few teething problems were to be expected. After waiting over thirty minutes for our desserts to arrive – and chasing twice – it eventually transpired that the dessert chef was off sick, hence the long delay.
A little staff training might have gone a long way towards defusing the situation, by informing customers at the point of ordering that there would be a delay, rather than having them sit waiting. In fairness, the manager was very apologetic, and in light of the staffing issue, it didn’t spoil what was otherwise an excellent dining experience, with good service in a buzzing environment – where the glass was never half empty, so to speak.
Vetro Lounge, Unit 4, Forge Island, Rotherham S60 1QJ
thelounges.co.uk/vetro
images: Graham Clark
Graham was born and raised in Keighley. A dedicated live music enthusiast, he has attended hundreds of concerts across the North and feels fortunate to have Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester within easy reach — all key stops on major touring circuits. He has also supported Bradford Live, the upcoming 4,000-capacity venue opening in autumn 2025, helping to secure backing from some of the biggest names in live entertainment. Passionate about food, Graham draws on his background in hospitality to offer honest, experience-led insights in his reviews. He’s also a keen traveller, having explored extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia.
