Shochu is a Japanese drink made from barley, sweet potato or rice. It is also the specialty of the aptly named Shochu Lounge, the basement bar of trendy Japanese joint Roka. Inside there are low-set tables and boxy chairs, lots of dark wood, a decorative vibe that’s modern and urban and yet also undeniably Japanese. Drinks-wise, the innovative cocktails are the way to go. Bar star Tony Conigliaro has put together a list of shochu-based cocktails including the tempting Plum Plum, a heady mix of shochu and plum vodka. Drinks are priced as you’d expect for concoctions of this quality (£8 and up) and those feeling hungry can further boost their bill by dipping into the menu of swanky Roka above.

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