Gucci Giardino is impeccably styled – exactly what you’d expect from the Italian luxury house. Located within the redesigned Gucci boutique at the upscale Herbis Plaza in Umeda, this Osaka outpost is only the second Gucci bar in the world. It follows the original Gucci Giardino in Florence, which was ranked on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Bars extended list.
The sleek interior is dominated by high-gloss black and red, softened by warm wood panelling, and outfitted with plush leather sofas. There’s a clear attention to craftsmanship. At the entrance, an imposing bamboo installation by contemporary artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV sets the scene, while a similarly intricate weave appears throughout the interior as a subtle nod to bamboo’s status as a signature Gucci material.
That level of artistry carries through to the well-curated menu. Each page is dedicated to a classic cocktail – negroni, margarita, Old Fashioned, pisco sour, etc – but there’s nothing conventional about the list. Every cocktail is offered in two iterations: an inspired reinvention drawing on Japanese and Italian flavours, along with a non-alcoholic version.
The Memoire de Negroni is perfectly balanced: slightly sweeter and more floral while retaining the drink’s signature herbal bitterness. It incorporates yuzu sake and butterfly pea flower-infused gin to produce a striking purple hue as a tribute to Florence, Gucci’s birthplace.
The Cuba Libre’s reinterpretation, on the other hand, is inspired by the Japanese highball, featuring clear tonka bean-infused rum, clarified cola syrup and crystallised lime. Other standouts include a martini made with vintage Kyoto sake and hanasancho (the unopened flower buds of Japanese sansho pepper), as well as a margarita enhanced with sake-fermented pineapple.
The food menu follows suit with playful twists on Italian and Japanese classics. There’s a ‘carbonara’ made with soba, a gyoza bolognese with wagyu wrapped in pasta-like dumplings, and a decadent matcha and white chocolate tiramisu.
Those seeking a more elevated experience can opt for the bar’s two signature offerings. The Laboratory serves up boundary-pushing, high-concept cocktails paired with inventive bites, while the Negroni & Spritz Trolley Service prepares your personalised cocktail right at your table.
Despite its posh pedigree, Gucci Giardino doesn’t feel intimidating; in fact, it’s surprisingly and disarmingly relaxed. The atmosphere is refined yet approachable, and the service attentive but never stuffy, making Gucci Giardino a rare, refreshing find in the luxury world.
AloJapan.com