Sure, you could fly to Japan for cocktails. Or you could just head to Lincoln Park. This fall, Sushi-san’s underground Dojo is once again a passport to Japan’s cocktail scene with the return of Tokyo Last Call, a five-week pop-up bringing bartenders from some of the country’s most acclaimed bars to Chicago.
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Now in its third season, Tokyo Last Call runs October 8 through November 8, with each weekend dedicated to a different Japanese bar. And unlike previous editions, this year’s lineup is entirely Japan-based, making it a particularly concentrated tour of the country’s current cocktail culture.
The series kicks off October 8–11 with Bar Nayuta and bartender Hiro Nakayama, followed by Kyoto’s Cocktail Stand Furek and bartender Ryuichi Saito from October 15–18. Bar Trench bartender Rogerio Igarashi Vaz takes over October 22–25, followed by The Bellwood’s Cole Nunley October 29–November 1. The series wraps November 5–8 with Yas Kawakubo of Punch Room Tokyo.
Each visiting bartender will serve a four-drink menu built around spirits from House of Suntory, including Roku Gin, Hibiki Japanese Harmony, Toki and Toki Black whiskies. The cocktails will showcase each bar’s individual approach, while drawing on the traditional techniques and flavors that have made Japan’s cocktail scene such a global obsession.
The Dojo itself dons a speakeasy atmosphere for the series, giving drinkers a chance to see the visiting bartenders at work. For an even closer look, The Master’s Counter is a $145-per-person experience that seats you at the guest bartender’s bar. The interactive progression includes three cocktails and a special Suntory cocktail, along with select bites from Sushi-san and a behind-the-scenes look at the drinks’ inspiration and techniques. Gratuity is not included.
Tokyo Last Call was created by Kevin Beary and Scott Kitsmiller, the Chicago cocktail veterans behind spots including Three Dots and a Dash and The Bamboo Room, and is presented by House of Suntory brand ambassador Davey Jones.
The 21+ pop-up takes place in Sushi-san Lincoln Park’s lower-level Dojo, Thursdays and Sundays from 5 to 11pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to midnight. Reservations are available through OpenTable and Tokyo Last Call’s website.
AloJapan.com