Shochu Lounge

It's unfortunate to have had some people have a dissapointing night in this Lounge. I found the food really good, although the portions do seem small, they are presented exceptionally well, and compared to other similar restaurants they stand way above. The service was curtious, and the drinks really satisfying and well made. The staff seemed really proud of they're products and reflected good knowledge of both food and drinks.

Unfortunatley on busy nights there is a two hour return time on the tables, but considering how popular they are it may only be fair. Besides after the meal we found ourselves a spot at the bar and enjoyed the array of cocktails the bartenders were conjouring up with no hesitation and total fluency.

Having been to many of London's top lounges and restaurants I find this small very personal lounge a diamond in the rough. I shall return soon, for another great meal and impressive show from the bartenders (The sawing of the massive ice-block is a must see, a really unique show).
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Ralph Clement
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Went here for a couple of drinks after work. The experienxce was great, all the bartenders were really friendly, The cocktails were amazing and some even ingenious!!! It's a little pricey but competitive compared to other top bars. They specialise in a japanese spirit. Try the cocktails they're great, all in all I'd say 8 out of 10.
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Ben Deeton
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Went to Shochu on a Saturday night with a party. Have been to Roka before and was disappointed by the "showing off" of the place. Wanted to give the Lounge another try and it was a horrible horrible experience ! Food is expensive and size is small (come on, 3 slices of sashimi for a starter ??) but that could be ok if the service was good. But for a place that wants to be trendy, service is awful: loud music so the waitress can't hear your order, nothing came together (ok maybe fair enough we were 10 persons), orders were wrongly mixed (sushis instead of sashimi) and one of the guests finally got her seabream while another one was ready to order .. desert ! Should I mention the cocktails (ridiculously sweet and served in glasses full of ice, so you're done in 3 sips) ? A very big joke altogether, not worth it unless you really want to throw your money away...
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Sarah
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Sunday, March 02, 2008

This restaurant is not worth it. Do not go. Food is average, service is extremely bad if not rude (arrogant, messy and incompetent), cocktail have no taste and prices are a pure nightmare. On top of that, one cannot speak to one's friends as the music is too loud.

I will definitely never go back to this arrogant and artificial place!
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Raphael
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Sunday, March 02, 2008

Couldn't wait to have cocktails made with shochu as the delicious ones that we had on our holiday in Japan!!What a DISAPPOINTMENT...

In total we had 4 cocktails and a bottle of still water and paid £42.45... service included.. so no choice here..

The last 2 cocktails were an attempt to "let's try again..".. the sweetest and most sickening cocktails I've ever had, and one came in a bottle, pre- prepared,and so sweet and flat we couldn't drink it ( by the way it's called "Tokyo Baby" so be warned.)I saw one girl nearby complaining of her drink , in a bottle as well, saying it was too sweet, and I think she persuaded the barman to change her drink, but at that stage I just want to GO!!!!

Venue is interesting and nice decor,but service seemed not very attentive, ok it was a Saturday eve,but we should have the choice of leaving a tip or not.

I won't be going back.
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vann - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, January 27, 2008

Shochu Lounge is a great place to have fabulous cocktails, friendly service and a good atmosphere. Although I go there quite often, I would probably change my venue in the future. I normally don't mind my cocktail being served with a bit of attitude, however when I asked whether it is possible to have dinner ( and I am not sure what the waitress heard) I got told that ' she knows her job and do it everyday'. I asked for dinner not a lecture thank you very much. I asked the member of staff politely not to be rude to me. I am not being funny but isn't it her job to serve customers??? I might be a bit unfair as this is just an individual and not all the other staff.

So if you like being served with a whole lot of attitude then Shochu is the place for you.
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Danell Bronkhorst
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Yes, the place looks attractive, yes its in prime location in central london. However, its completely overpriced, and you are basically paying £9-£10 for a drink, PLUS service (even if sat at the bar) simply for the owners to satifsy the huge expense they took to coat the place with solid wood - everywhere. And you cant help but feel annoyed at being completely ripped-off. The cocktails were nice, but there were pratically alcohol-less. The service was good, but the atmosphere was none and you couldn't help wondering why you're paying £20 for two drinks for somewhere so boring. This was just one of those places not worth paying the extra for.
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Caroline
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Can't agree with the previous review. Easter sunday, and there was a relaxed vibe. Comfortable seats, friendly if slightly over-stretched staff. Good cocktails and excellent food- the only miss on the menu being a one of the desserts. I would definitely go back!
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Mehreen Hosain
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, April 17, 2006

Tucked below Roka on Charlotte Street, Shochu's decor is what you expect from the moment's cocktail bar interiors - plush red soft furnishings, wood panelled walls, tealights and glass drink stirrers. It looks great, but once it's filled up the noise level can be a bit much, especially if you're only sitting two feet from a couple of bankers.

The staff were helpful (and easy on the eye) but I'm used to being able to decide whether to tip, not having to face taking the tip off the bill. I mention this because there appears to be no happy hour at Shochu - a sign that the house thinks its clientele rich enough to sniff at the very phrase.

But at £8 for a shochu martini (shochu, sake and cucumber, as I recall - it's insipid, don't bother) and £6.50 for ginger ale (no Canada Dry here) and a 5-yr-old whisky (no Canadian Club - which bar doesn't have that?) you will not walk out of Shochu with your wallet undamaged, and you won't necessarily understand why. There was also a seeming over-concentration on the sweet and fruity side of cocktails, and though this might well be the foreigner's perception of the Japanese palette, plenty of Japanese and Western people alike like seeing a well-made Tom Collins on the menu, too.

Sadly, Shochu failed to impress. The location's good, easy Noho, and the staff and interior are relaxing. But it didn't feel like it had anything spectactularly different to offer for the money.

In sum? Try it out if you're in the area - it might tick your own personal boxes - but don't queue to get in.
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Rupert White
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Friday, December 02, 2005