Shochu Lounge

Address: Beneath Roka, 37 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 1RR, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7580 6464
Website: view Shochu Lounge’s website
Style: Lounge bar
Food: Set menu
Established: 2007

Review

Nestling below Roka, the West End sister restaurant to the stratospherically fashionable Zuma, this subterranean lounge takes its name from the traditional Japanese spirit (a kind of low-proof, flavoursome vodka), but is perhaps best known for the quality of its cocktails.

Shochu is very much the theme here and antique Japanese brewing and distilling vessels occupy a whole wall. Various types of shochu are available, either as a cocktail base or infused with flavours such as cherry blossom or green tea in one of the many glass jars that line the wall. Infusions are served in wonderful hand blown tumblers with a single huge ice cube chiselled from a large block of ice as you watch.

Leading UK molecular mixolgist, Tony Conigliaro, established this bar and has left his considerable mark. Today the ice picks and shakers are in the able hands of Scott 'Scottie' Wallace. Beyond the natural timber island bar is a lounge area. Nab yourself a cocktail and one of the low tables and tuck into the "Japanese farmhouse" nibbles from the kitchen above.