Shochu Lounge

Shochu has recently undergone a massive refurb and is now considered to be a great hideaway beneath Roka. Many claim the new site has a spring in its step.

Thanks to a gentle refurb, the Shochu Lounge – a ‘great hideaway’ beneath Roka – has a new spring in its step. Some of the seating has been removed to make room for more drinkers, while the low lighting & a funky wall of Manga cartoons signal its intent: cool cats are welcome here. Shochu forms the backbone of the drinks list, with vitality-inducing versions distilled with seasonal herbs & fruit, flights of premium stuff served on the rocks, & even some hot blends to warm the cockles.

As for cocktails, these are exotic, elegant & mostly laced with the eponymous liquor – try the glass maze (an opaque martini of lychee shochu, lychee juice & ylang-ylang). Enjoy them over low-cal rice crackers, steamed edamame, sushi & sashimi from Roka’s outstanding restaurant menu.

Beneath landmark Japanese restaurant Roka, the buzzing, chic Shochu Lounge deals chiefly in drinks built around the vodka-like distilled spirit from which it takes its name. Often overlooked in favour of saké, its more widespread counterpart, shochu is here used in healthy tonics and cocktails.

The former include ki lazubeli shu (‘helps improve memory’) and jasmine flower shu (‘for coughs and sore eyes’); among the latter are the Nightingale (shisho shu, lime, elderflower and orange bitters) and the Hallo Kitty house punch (shochu, raspberry, rose, lemon and sparkling water).

There’s more: 15 vodkas (Kauffmann, Slwucha, Uluvka, Potocki), for instance, served alone or in cocktails. All drinks are expertly mixed at the rustic bar counter, and served with style. Food? The full Roka menu is available.

Venue Information

Venue: 37, Charlotte Street, London, W1T 1RR

Times: 10pm- 1am

Dress Code: Smart

Tables: Available to book

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