Shochu Lounge at Roka Charlotte Street

Bars, Japanese, Sushi·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Shochu Lounge at Roka Charlotte Street

Bronze Award

More than a warm-up act for the excellent Roka restaurant upstairs, Shochu Lounge is a destination in its own right – a snazzy and ‘sexy' subterranean space dedicated to the eponymous Japanese spirit (similar to vodka, but usually weaker). Take a perch at the rough-hewn wooden counter and ponder the intricacies of the beverage – different flavours and varieties can be savoured on their own, over ice (carved from a huge block at the bar) or in various cocktails: try a Noshino martini (shochu, saké and cucumber) or the vertigo (Tequila, vanilla shochu and pineapple juice). The good news is that bar food comes straight from Roka's kitchen (think sushi, sashimi, tuna tataki or spinach leaves with sesame dressing); the bad news is that staff can occasionally be too snotty for their own good.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - Over £80
Cuisines
Bars, Japanese, Sushi
Ambience
Cool, Cosy, Dark and moody, Glamorous
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+]
Food Hygiene Rating

About

Tucked away underneath Roka Charlotte Street, the Shochu Lounge showcases the very best of Japanese spirits and cocktails in a sultry subterranean drinking den. Like the restaurant above, Shochu Lounge is an easy walk from nearby Goodge Street station, or Tottenham Court Road station.

This is certainly one of the most striking bars in London, with eyes immediately drawn to a cherry tree that sprawls over the top of the tables and chairs, carpeting the ceiling with pink blossom. The design aesthetic is very different to upstairs as well - simple, sturdy tables are built from polished dark timber, whilst the dark red upholstery and low lighting gives Shochu Lounge a moody after-hours vibe.

As you might guess from the name, shochu sits at the heart of the drinks menu. Shochu remains one of Japan’s most popular spirits - it is a distilled spirit made often from rice or barley, but it can be made from all sorts of other ingredients, including sweet potato, chestnuts and buckwheat. Shochu Lounge serves its own shochu made from barley, alongside a list of other Japanese producers. Typically around 25% alcohol by volume, shochu sits in between spirits like vodka and whisky, and drinks like wine and sake, making it suitable for drinking neat over ice, or in cocktails. Shochu Lounge offers both, and the range of shochus available covers a huge array of different flavour profiles. Meanwhile, the cocktail list includes drinks such as the Negroni San, made with buckwheat shochu, campari, vermouth and cedar wood.

Shochu Lounge also offers bar snacks to go with your drinks, including spicy edamame, Wagyu sushi with oscietra caviar, tiger prawn tempura and spicy beef and padron pepper skewers.

Shochu Lounge at Roka Charlotte Street is featured in

This venue also offers

Roka Charlotte Street
Private Group Dining

Roka Charlotte Street

Roka Charlotte Street
Christmas Parties

Roka Charlotte Street

Location

37 Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 1RR

020 7580 6464 020 7580 6464

Website

Opening Times

Dinner
Mon 17:30-22:30
Tue 17:30-22:30
Wed 17:30-22:30
Thu 17:30-22:30
Fri 17:30-22:30
Sat 17:30-22:30
Sun 17:30-23:00

Reviews

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2 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Damian F

30 November 2011  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 3
Its not cheap but it is a great venue that has bags of atmosphere. I have been going to the Shochu Lounge since 2009 and still love to go back whether that be for a few drinks or to eat. Why eat upstairs at Roka that lacks the same intimate atmosphere when you can have the same menu downstairs in this very sexy bar? Its a no brainer for me both for food and drink if out in NoHO.

Martina R

16 November 2010  
Food & Drink 3
Service 1
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 1.5
I used to love that place and went back there last Thursday for the first time in a year. We had a table reservation for 9.30pm. Table wasn't ready yet but we were asured to only have to wait for a few more minutes. After a 15-20 minute wait we started complaining and were offered a complementary cocktail for the inconvinience. In the end we were finally seated 45min later. If it wouldn't have been that late already we probably would have left and eaten somewhere else! Finally seated and happy to order we were asked by two different waiters to repeat the initial order. Once ordered, we were served dishes we didn't order, pointed that out to the slightly confused waitress and were told that those two dishes were complementary. To cut a long unpleasant experience short, the service was poorly and not at all what I experienced one year ago. When the bill came, the two complementary dishes as well as two cocktails we received for the 45min wait were added to bill. Although I used to come here regulary one year ago, I was extremely disappointed by the poor service and attitude of the staff and manager. I am certain there are other places who appreciate their customers and dont try to rip them off.
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020 7580 6464 020 7580 6464

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