Home » Bartending News » Cocktail Omakase Brings Tokyo Precision to New York’s Lower East Side
New York’s cocktail scene just got a bold, immersive addition. Cocktail Omakase, a collaboration between Cocktail Kingdom Hospitality Group and Tokyo’s acclaimed Bar Libre, opens Friday, March 27 at 217 Eldridge Street, delivering a high-end, multi-sensory tasting experience unlike anything in the city.
Inspired by the omakase philosophy of Japanese sushi counters, the concept pairs four-course cocktail tastings with complementary bites over a one-hour journey. Guests can choose from non-alcoholic, low-ABV, or full-proof menus, each priced at $55 per person. Menus rotate every two weeks, reflecting seasonality, technique, and the evolving creativity of both teams.
At the heart of the space is a 12-seat cocktail counter, reminiscent of a sushi bar, where every guest sits directly in front of the bartenders. Cocktails arrive in 3–4 ounce tasting portions, allowing for a full tasting progression without overwhelming the palate. Standout offerings include the Ember Highball with lapsang souchong, cedar, and plum, and the Sushi Sazerac, featuring shochu, rye whiskey, nori, and bonito bitters.
The cocktail program was developed in close partnership with Bar Libre’s Yujiro “Kiyo” Kiyosaki and Kazuaki “Kazu” Nagao, alongside Consulting Beverage Director Jillian Vose and Head Bartender Mathew Resler. Matthew spent extensive time at Bar Libre in Tokyo to fully immerse himself in their precision-driven service style, ensuring the New York iteration reflects the Tokyo bar’s essence.
Chef Phillip Kirschen-Clark curates four paired bites that emphasize bold, concentrated flavors — from soy-marinated jammy egg to koji-marinated super-crunch chicken — complementing the cocktails in both flavor and presentation. Every dish and cocktail is free from gluten, dairy, and nuts, making the experience accessible without sacrificing complexity.
Behind handcrafted shoji screens, the intimate Bar 7 offers a seven-seat space with à la carte cocktails and dishes, while a 15-seat lower-level lounge provides private space for small gatherings. Design throughout the venue combines Japanese material traditions, textured plaster, and warm wood tones, contrasting with rotating graffiti by Japanese street artists to balance tradition with expressive energy.
Cocktail Omakase is a blueprint for immersive, high-touch cocktail experiences:
Reservations are available through Resy, and walk-ins are welcome at Bar 7. Cocktail Omakase delivers a new standard for New York drinking culture, where cocktails become participatory experiences, not just drinks.
