Strolling the streets of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood and imbibing within the winding alleyways of the Golden Gai district should be on everybody’s bucket list. But if you’re not quite sold, consider traveling a much shorter distance to Asian restaurant Wakuda inside The Venetian, where you’ll find an inspired bar named after the iconic, faraway nightlife scene.
Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
“This place is based off of the Golden Gai district in Shinjuku, so we wanted to pay homage to that, not only through the artwork, but through the style of craft cocktails that we create,” says head of nightlife Peter Lee.
A quaint, modern lounge, Golden Gai sits just off the restaurant’s neon-lit main hallway and offers a cocktail program reminiscent of its Japanese identity, full of unique and hard-to-find ingredients. And that artwork Lee mentioned is a collection of fascinating Shohei Otomo ballpoint pen drawings that essentially fill every bit of open wall space at the bar.
“In Golden Gai, they drink a lot of beer and sake—It’s very simple things that they drink,” says beverage manager Beau Huizinga. “Cocktails are very much an American thing, so we want to take influence from those (bars), but we also put our own spin on it by doing cocktails.”
If sweet and refreshing sounds like something you seek, you have to order the TLM. Made with Haku vodka (a spirit made from Japanese white rice that’s fermented and distilled through pot stills then filtered through bamboo charcoal), sake, lemon and lychee juice, this take on a lychee martini is simply one of the best. The subtly sweet vodka amplifies the flavor of the lychee juice while the acidic lemon brings balance to the drink. Even better, this drink is garnished with a Wakamomo peach, an unripe baby peach from the mountains of Japan that is so yummy it might be worth ordering the drink just to try one.
Put some pep in your step with the Matcha Made In Heaven, a gin-based drink with matcha (obvs), lemon, yuzu, coconut cream, egg white and Génépy, an herbal liqueur made from a type of wormwood plant, similar to Chartreuse but less sweet. “I like using matcha tea; I think it’s a cool ingredient,” Huizinga says. “It brings a vibrant color to any cocktail that you’re putting it in. It brings some earthy umami, some floral notes.”
The bright and punchy citrus in this drink shines while elevating the woody matcha and balancing the sweet ingredients. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of frothiness on top, courtesy of the egg white? It’s like everything you love about a matcha latte, but in a fruity cocktail.
Speaking of fruity, for some tropical vibes try the Wakuda Tiki, made with dark rum, falernum, yuzu, orgeat, pineapple and Angostura bitters. This concoction sends you straight to the Caribbean with its mai tai-like combination of flavors.
Don’t miss this cocktail club’s extensive selection of beers, wines and sakes that have been carefully curated to include a bit of everything while featuring some standouts. This is one of the few bars in town where you can order Overture by Opus One, a vintage red with fruit and floral notes.
Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
Insider tips:
• Get close to the art collection to see the incredible detail Otomo puts into each of his pieces, which combine elements of traditional Japanese art with pop culture.
• DJs bump beats every Tuesday through Saturday, and their tunes are played not only in Golden Gai, but also in the Wakuda dining room for a bit of vibey dining.
• Step outside and sip with a Strip view on Golden Gai’s expansive outdoor terrace that sits just above street level, perfect for people-watching while you imbibe.
• Order late-night light bites after 10 p.m. Try the jidori chicken nuggets served with yuzu ranch.
The Venetian. venetianlasvegas.com
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