Shochu Lounge

With flagship Japanese restaurant Roka frequently oversubscribed, Shochu, its stylish basement bar, can seem a good back-up dining option. But if you plan to eat, we’d advise waiting your turn upstairs & saving this deliciously sinful venue – reminiscent of the hull of an opium ship with its warm crimson tones, huge bar & oriental flourishes – for the three things it does best: cocktails, Champagne &, of course, shochu. The vodka-like spirit is available in several flavours & is usually served by the shot. If that doesn’t float your boat, opt for one of the Japanese-themed cocktails, such as a green tea & pear Bellini, or a kimono (light rum, lychee, guava, white peach, lime, almond & Coco Lopez coconut milk). There are mixed reports about service, & an evening here can get pricey, but the loud, darkly sexy beats are guaranteed to work their magic on Shochu’s fashionable, young-at-heart crowd.