This hip basement bar underneath the upmarket Japanese restaurant chain Roka has firmly established itself as the place to see and be seen for a fashionable crowd.

The Venue
You’d be forgiven for walking straight past Shochu Lounge without a second glance. Located under the popular restaurant Roka in the media hub that is Charlotte Street, the central location makes for a perfect evening spot for cocktails – as long as you don’t miss the blink-and-you'll-miss-it entrance. Walking down the stairs you are eclipsed by a much darker, moodier vibe than the light and spacious upstairs eatery, something that gives it a clubbier vibe.

Shochu Lounge is a small, tight space, in keeping with most central London subterranean bars. This helps to create an intimate and exclusive feel. The decor is Japanese-influenced, with a central dark wooden bar and a separate seating areas in plush red velvet. Traditional barrels and buckets line the wall, adding to the charm. Your eyes will constantly be wandering here.

The Atmosphere
The bar buzzes after the clock strikes 9pm, with after-dinner revellers descending into the darkness for signature plum vodka cocktails. Fashionable twentysomethings also attend in droves. Shochu Lounge does get very hot and busy as the night goes on, so expect a scramble under the dim lights for seating as it becomes available.

The Drink
Shochu is a distilled Japanese liqueur which is rapidly becoming popular with the younger Japanese generation thanks to its low calorie content. Shochu Lounge, as you would expect, is the place to come for this with a variety of concoctions based around the spirit. Large jars of Shochu are also available for the high rollers (at around £400).

If you're serious about your drinks, the best seats in the house are the wooden bar stools. Here you can watch expert mixologists theatrically cut through giant chunks of solid ice to chill your drinks. This vast cocktail list is interesting and the array of unusual martinis (rose petal martini is a personal favorite) are worth a try. Of course, there are also more conventional drinks on offer to cater for everyone’s taste, but they do bear a sizeable price tag (around £8.50 for a cocktail). The beer list is heavily Asian-influenced; this isn’t a place for a bottle of Becks.

The Last Word
A classy Far Eastern-themed bar, Shochu Lounge is a good choice for after-dinner drinks once you have finished your meal at Roka, or simply for a relaxed evening out with friends. The chilled music, atmospheric lighting and friendly staff make up for the somewhat cramped space. Definitely worth a visit.

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