Combining the customs of Brazil and Japan may seem to be an unusual choice, but once you experience Sushinho for yourself it will seem oddly natural.

The Venue
The Kings Road is famously a dead zone for tube stations: the nearest are South Kensington and Sloane Square, which are a 20 minute walk away. Once you reach Sushinho, you can make your way down to the cocktail bar situated below the now famous restaurant.

Walking down the stairs, a big window gives you a view of the dark and brooding Sushinho Lounge Bar. Its low lightings and dark furnishings give it a lounge feel reminiscent of a sophisticated Manhattan bar. The space is quite small but well formed. Nestled against the wall are high, plush bar stools with a spacious wooden sideboard, offering plenty of room to fit your cocktails and belongings. To the left of the bar is a single big black sofa and a table with soft lighting – it’s certainly the best spot to sit in.

The bar is where all the action takes place and has stools where customers can sit and chat to staff. A fruit bowl proudly sits on the bar, showing off the ingredients you might find in your cocktails. The decor follows the Japanese-Brazilian theme, blending dark wooden fixtures with bright Brazilian framed art on the walls. The contrast of cultures works surprisingly well.

The Atmosphere
What puts Sushinho Lounge Bar a cut above the rest of the bars in the area is the pure professionalism of the staff and completely laid back nature of the place. The staff dress very smartly and are there to advise and educate you. They are quick to suggest cocktails to suit your mood and your palate and they do this with grace and charm. Typically, because of the area, you will find a lot of Sloanes and people dressed to the nines wanting a few drinks to get the weekend started. Also expect young professionals and fashionistas who want to be seen drinking in the right places.

The Drink
Sushinho Lounge Bar offers unique and exceptional cocktails and the influence from two different cultures in evident in the drink menu. Of course, the Caipirinha (£7) – the much loved Brazilian favourite – is a mainstay on the menu. However, this sits comfortably alongside the Japanese Sushinho Sakerinha (Honjozo Akashi-tai sake, pink grapefruit and passion fruit), which is an easy to drink cocktail that bizarrely tastes like the popular child’s fruit juice Kia Ora. Just be wary, the sake packs quite a punch and as the cocktail doesn’t taste alcoholic you could end up more drunk than you’d expected. Another curious concoction is the Gingerbread Slipper (£7) (midori, gingerbread syrup and tequila), which has a strong kick with the flavour of the tequila coming through, but is balanced well with the gentle sweetness of the gingerbread syrup.

Champagne cocktails include the regular suspects such as the bellini (£8) alongside the more unusual French Kiss (£8). There is also an excellent selection of shots to get you going. Costing £5.50 the best of the bunch is the Samurai with tequila, coffee and Madagascan vanilla liqueur and the Banzai with tequila, Frangelico and mandarin Napoleon with sugar and a cinnamon coated orange wedge. Showing off the Japanese side of the bar is the small selection of sake. Starting at £5 for 150ml for a Honjozo Akashi-tai, rising to £49 for a 720ml of Genmai Yamada Nishiki.

The Last Word
Sushinho Lounge Bar is one of a kind for this area and its relaxed atmosphere, excellent cocktails and dedicated service makes it worth going the distance for.

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