Shochu, London
"The effect of the copper equivalent of a Midas touch, turning everything a deep burnished brown, but for the gleaming big-bellied glass jars of fruit in syrup, creates a magic kingdom."
Fay Maschler - Evening Standard - 21/07/04
Shochu (sister venue to Zuma restaurant in Knightsbridge) is a Japanese whiskey or fortified wine, and is one of the main ingredients of the drinks served at this subterranean bar located underneath the Roka restaurant on Charlotte Street. It is hidden away from the passing trade, because there is a small door leading to a narrow staircase that descends into the basement below Roka. The signage was kept purposely discrete and set inside the entrance area, so as not to draw obvious attention to itself. It is exclusive and of the speak easy concept, it is found by word of mouth and discerning drinkers.
The design approach to this bar is similar to that of Roka and is again the result of collaboration between B3 Designers and Noriyoshi Muramatsu of Tokyo-based design company Super Potato. However, a new concept in bar layout was achieved to create a destination drinking venue.
Designing to make the bar look full
At the centre of the space stands the island bar. This was decided upon to avoid the place seeming sparse and empty at the early part of the evening. We could have pushed the bar up against the wall, but that would have lead to a large void in the centre of the room. The last thing you want is an empty looking bar. However, by having the bar in the centre of the space it only takes a few people around the bar to make the space look happening and full. When we have been there with a handfull of customers the space feels energetic and alive. The bar space has a maximum capacity of 80 persons, this we knew from the outset and therefore enabled the customer volume for the space to affect the design.
New concept in bar drinking
The bar top is made from a disfigured elm tree trunk as around the robata grill in the upstairs Roka restaurant. Due to its nature the wood continued to dry and settle after it has been installed resulting in an irregular surface and an interesting bar top. The bar was centralised and made up of two types of bar, an L shaped bar that is a standard height when drinking vertically and a lower bar, which became the mixologist's preparation table.
The table allows customers to sit around as if in someone's kitchen and watch as the bartender conjures up his next great sake or shochu drink. This also encourages customers to interact with the bar man and experiment with different types of drinks, the whole experience is pure theatre and one we have seen customer return to constantly.
To avoid the back of the bar looking unsightly we powder coated all of the stainless steel bar equipment black, this made the back bar area practically invisible amongst the dimmed light environment. This was quite a revolutionary concept for the bar tenders as everything they do is on show, there is no hiding anything.
On the bar, a large block of ice sits and waits for the bar tender to literally hack fresh pieces of ice from the block. Customers are served drinks with rustic form lumps of ice. To avoid the ice block melting we inserted an optic fibre light in the space below where the ice block is positioned. When the ice block is first laid out, it glows as if it has an internal illumination. The optic fibre is cool to touch and therefore doesn't cause the ice to melt.
Focal points
Recycled materials are used throughout the space, such as the colourful patchwork upholstery, the rugged red fabric wall. The fabric wall is used as focal point in the recessed area to make the space more exclusive and appealing. The patch work fabric gives a visual connection between the red fabric wall and the raised area. The raised area was introduced to ensure that drinkers had a good view over the space and can been seen whilst sitting down. On the opposite side of the space the reclaimed shochu barrels allow drinkers to drink amongst the backdrop of the shochu Japanese vintage distillery equipment that would have originally been used to create shochu. The smooth burnished copper panelling, lacquered tables and soft lighting complete the emphasis on contrasting textures and materials.
If you are looking to develop an original and profitable bar, contact B3 Designers. We will illicit your requirements understand your brand, design, create and deliver beyond what is expected.
| Shochu, London | | | www.shochulounge.com |