This week’s bar: RA Sushi

The scene: This is definitely not your average Japanese restaurant — or your average watering hole. Instead, the nationwide RA Sushi chain is part of a growing movement to give sushi bars a certain sexy appeal. Think DJs spinning dance music, unusual rolls of all kinds and lots of sake and fun cocktails. Wed all that with a youngish crowd that’s there for far more than just raw tuna.

Signature cocktail: The Tsunami Punch ($12.50). It’s a potent blend of several spirits and sake, served in a punch bowl. It’s also not as sweet as many overly fruity tiki bar-style drinks (the sake must help balance the flavor). And, yes, it’s meant for sharing — hey, it comes with two straws — but you can also order a made-for-one Baby Tsunami Punch ($7.50 — or $4 at Happy Hour).

Other noteworthy libations: There are several specialty cocktails. Among my other favorites: the vibrantly refreshing Bruce Lee-Chee (with Hendrick’s gin, lychee liqueur and fresh cucumbers, $9.50) and Okinawa Iced Tea (with various spirits and melon liqueur, $7.50)

Bar bites: Sushi bars are all about bar bites. I’m high on two tasty, new-school rolls: the Viva Las Vegas Roll (a tempura-battered affair topped with spicy tuna, lotus root and other ingredients, $13.75) and the Beef Tataki Roll (seared steak — as sushi, $9.25). But you also have your pick of traditional sushi offerings and some clever appetizers, including “RA”ckin’ Shrimp (crispy rock shrimp, $10.75)

Music and more: The DJ pays a visit on Friday nights, but even when no one is spinning tunes on other evenings, there’s often some beat-driven music playing in the background. Happy Hour specials run Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. Drink deals run from $1 (for hot sake) to $5 (for a 22-ounce Kirin beer with sake), while food deals include select sushi items and appetizers at half-off the regular menu prices.

11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. (at Downtown at the Gardens), Palm Beach Gardens, (561) 340-2112, rasushi.com

T H E C O C K T A I L

Tsunami Punch

2 ounces amaretto liqueur

2 ounces Southern Comfort

2 ounces vodka

2 ounces sake

1 ounce grenadine

1 ounce lime juice

pineapple juice

orange juice

Fill a punch bowl glass with ice. Fill a shaker with amaretto, Southern Comfort, vodka, sake, grenadine and lime juice and top with equal parts pineapple and orange juice. Shake and pour. Garnish with lemon, orange and lime slices, cherries and at least two straws.