Tucked beneath The Counter in Soho, Under the Counter is set to make its debut on the Friday 18th April—a refined listening bar where exceptional cocktails and a high-quality music experience take centre stage. For those eager to be among the first to experience Under the Counter, a soft launch offering £5 cocktails will be available on Friday 18th & Saturday 19th April, between 5 – 12pm.
The bar’s concept comes from The Counter’s Executive Chef Kemal Demirasal, known for his modern take on Turkish flavours and Joao Silva, a seasoned Bar Manager with 20 years of experience across Portugal, Spain, the UK, and the USA. With a background in mixology innovation and bar operations, he has led high-performing teams and crafted trend-setting cocktails that enhance both brand identity and customer experience. Executive Chef Kemal Demirasal who commented:
“I’m thrilled to bring Under the Counter to Soho—a listening bar where bold Turkish flavours, inventive cocktails, and an immersive sound experience come together. We’ve crafted a menu that not only complements the drinks but also enhances the rhythm of the space, creating a dining experience that’s as dynamic as the music.”
The menu features inventive cocktails built around the theme of ‘spice’, balancing premium spirits, house-made infusions, and bold Turkish flavours. Highlights include Moonviel, a delicate mix of barley shochu, roasted green tea cordial, and yuzu, and Obsidian Ritual, a rich blend of añejo tequila, cacao & pasilla pepper syrup, and fermented coffee liqueur. For smoky depth, Eclipse of Ember combines mezcal, date & fenugreek syrup, and spiced bitters, while Ghost Lotus offers floral effervescence with baijiu, Sichuan pepper & pear cordial, and jasmine tea mist. As much case has been lavished on non-alcoholic options which include Spiced Strawberry Milk Punch, blending fresh strawberries with balsamic and warming spices, and Umbral Nectar, a smoky, umami-rich mix of black tea, roasted barley, and bergamot kefir whey.
Executive Chef Kemal has developed a bar menu that stands on its own. Designed for sharing, it features a selection of small plates that reflect his signature style. Guests can enjoy dishes such as Pistachio & Feta Cigars with miso aioli, House-Cured Sujuk with Butter Beans and Fries with Homemade Caviar Mayo each carefully paired to complement the spice-led cocktail menu. Taking influence from Kemal’s deep-rooted Turkish heritage, the food offering at Under the Counter is elevated yet unfussy, with a focus on quality ingredients and expert technique.
The 30-cover downstairs bar, designed by Mia Architecture and Tuğcu Design, boasts an impressive sound system. This includes a Michell Gyrodec turntable, Michell TecnoArm and Technics 1210 turntable, with Klipsch Cornwall and Klipsch Heresy speakers dotted around the room to elevate the quality and clarity of the vinyl playbacks. Guests can expect an evolving roster of DJs alongside specially curated playlists that span genres, creating a seamless listening experience from early evenings into late-night sessions.
From the launch, Under The Counter will play host to DJ sets from the likes of Tall Nico and myanalogjournal – full DJ listings for the coming months can be found at @underthecounterlondon. Whether guests are looking for a pre-dinner cocktail, a post-dinner digestif, or an entire evening immersed in sound and flavour, Under the Counter offers a distinctive new addition to Soho’s nightlife landscape.
Under the Counter will launch on 18th April, a soft launch of £5 cocktails will be available on the 18th and 19th of April. Under the Counter is only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
