Sakura House | Dark, but Light.
SAKURA HOUSE
dark space - light vibes
Basement
82-88 Elizabeth Street
Sydney
Sometimes the words flow easily - a lonely bar stool invites all sorts of thoughts and feelings that flow between my head and the pen. My eloquence is terrifying.
Other times, it doesn’t. I sit and wait, and wait, and wait and nothing comes. The pen rests. So it was with Sekura House, a little late night Izakaya near Martin Place.
Before you write this bar off let me be clear, it is absolutely worth a visit. On a hot summers afternoon following a slog in the office, it is the perfect place to be to have that ‘off-site’ discussion you have been waiting for all week. It can be hard to find the place to begin with, and its dark enough inside that you will find it hard to find your seat.
Sakura House
There is a fine line between a bar having a well-constructed theme and bashing you over the head screaming that “THIS IS A JAPANESE BAR - CAN’T YOU TELL!!!”. Describing themselves as looking at life through the lens of lived-in zines and and counter-culture, you could be forgiven for worrying that would be the case. But the ride that line perfectly, every little touch has been well thought out, enough so that you always know where you are. There is a blend of the classic Izakaya aesthetic with modern high-end cocktail bar panache, like the solid warm LED light strip the segregates the bar-drinkers from the bar-tenders. It feels made for the small-group crowd, with plenty of tables and seating for 4-6 people.
For those like me who are desperately in search of a new place for a date, Sakura House delivers. Not necessarily in spades, but what it has it does well. There are few intimate spots were you can be a couple. Id be more inclined to think of this as a post-date spot. Following a few drinks, a dinner and maybe even a boogie, bringing a date here would be a great way to close the evening. Or just solidify your cultrual appreciation of Sydneys bar-renaissance scene.
The booths by the bar
As an izakaya, it has a mix of cocktails, beers, wines and food that hit all the right spots, including your wallet. Its not unaffordable, but no one would describe it as a cheap eat. I had the Kingfish Cigar, and it tasted like the Monopoly Man had yelled at his chef for a spring roll, but make it fish. It was fresh, crispy and hit all the perfect notes for a summer afternoon snack. If the rest of the food follows this pattern, then I could quite gladly empty my wallet here and feel entirely satisfied with what I leave with, being an empty wallet and a full stomach.
That said, Sakura House markets itself as a late night food venue. Perhaps I am uncultured, but I don’t think Emond (my drunken persona - a story for another time) has the taste buds for kingfish cigars and fine food. If you come here following a night out, I would suggest having had a bite elsewhere first if you a wallet conscious.
A bar can be made, or broken by its staff. What made my experience extra special though was Vinny - the bartender. Beyond the standard back-and-forth of a solo drink at a bar, Vinny ensured I had an amazing time. He is a man who loves the art of a cocktail, and the experience of having one made for you. We started with the Sakura Sour, a refined hard-SOLO served in a steel tumbler, it is the antidote for anything that has you hot under the collar. From there, we had some Sake, an Old Fashioned and a House Martini for good measure. No matter the drink it was always served with care, both in assembly and in aesthetic. It was hard to not try and take more photos of them.
So, what is the judgment? Would i go back, would I recommend it? Absolutely. It is more expensive then I would like, but it is one of the few places worth the premium. At least, for 1-3 drinks. If you need a place after work for a debrief, or even a stop at the end of a long night to close out your affairs, it is hard to go past Sakura House. For me, i’ll gladly go back just to sit in contentment, a kingfish cigar in one hand, and an old fashioned Old Fashioned in another.
