House of Suntory presents Tokyo Last Call: Season II at Sushi-san Lincoln Park

Tokyo Last Call Returns for Season II

4 legendary cocktail bars enter the Dojo at Sushi-san Lincoln Park this September

The team behind the Chicago Cocktail Classic, in collaboration with House of Suntory, present Tokyo Last Call: Season II, which will transform the Dojo at Sushi-san – Lincoln Park into a speakeasy-style cocktail bar for four weekends this September. From guided cocktail tastings to exclusive pours of rare Japanese whiskies from Suntory’s portfolio, the immersive cocktail pop-up—inspired by Tokyo’s popular “listening bars”—aims to provide a unique opportunity to experience Japan’s world-renowned cocktail culture without leaving Chicago.

Beverage Director and Partner Kevin Beary and Bar Manager Scott Kitsmiller (Three Dots and a Dash, The Bamboo Room, Gus’ Sip & Dip, Chicago Cocktail Classic) have invited bartenders from four globally acclaimed Japanese cocktail bars, including Tokyo’s Bar TRENCH (September 4-7) and Tokyo Confidential (September 25-28), and Osaka’s Bar Nayuta (September 18-21), to create curated menus of original specialty cocktails, all of which guests can enjoy alongside select signature bites from Sushi-san.

Let’s enter the Dojo.

Make a reservation for Tokyo Last Call: Season II

Meet the Masters

Each Tokyo Last Call guest bartender will present four original cocktails made with spirits from Suntory’s portfolio, such as Roku Gin, Hibiki Japanese Harmony Blended Whisky, Toki Blended Whisky, and the newly launched Toki Black Blended Whisky. The four cocktails available during each weekend will showcase the bars’ individual styles and offerings, all rooted in the traditional techniques and flavors of Japan’s buzzy cocktail scene. In addition to standard reservations for Tokyo Last Call: Season II, guests can opt for specialty experiences, such as a seat at the guest bartender’s bartop for $145 per person (gratuity not included). The Master’s Counter Experience offers a front-row experience including a guided, interactive progression through all four signature cocktails, select paired bites from Sushi-san, and more intimate insight into each featured bartender’s artistry.

Book The Master’s Counter Experience at Tokyo Last Call: Season II

Bar TRENCH (Tokyo): September 4 – 7

Returning for a second guest appearance at Tokyo Last Call is Bar TRENCH, represented by Founder Rogerio Igarashi Vaz. Tucked into a quiet back street of Ebisu in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya, the 13-seat establishment is known for its music- and art-inspired vibe, and was named one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars for four consecutive years, as well as The World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100 list for five years from 2015. Rogerio is credited with popularizing the use of bitters and traditional Absinthe in Japan’s cocktail scene. Expect his guest appearance at Tokyo Last Call to reflect his ability to effortlessly combine the precise, logical and detail-focused Japanese style of bartending with the more fluid and creative Western style.

Make a reservation for Tokyo Last Call: Season II with Bar TRENCH

Bar Nayuta (Osaka): September 18 – 21

Making its debut this year on on Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ extended list at No. 100, Bar Nayuta is an intimate speakeasy in Chicago’s sister city of Osaka that despite its small size and semi-secret profile packs a huge personality and outstanding cocktails. Owner and founder Hiro Nakayama, who grew up in Australia, and his team have spent more than a decade delighting drinkers in their below street-level cocktail haven, located behind an infamous half-door that requires patrons to literally duck into it. Expect Hiro’s original creations for Tokyo Last Call to reflect Bar Nayuta’s signature homage to the “golden era of cocktail making,” including classics reimagined using flavorful house-made infusions, bitters and liqueurs.

Make a reservation for Tokyo Last Call: Season II with Bar Nayuta

Tokyo Confidential (Tokyo): September 25 – 28

Tokyo Last Call culminates with a guest appearance from Waka Murata, head bartender of Tokyo’s Tokyo Confidential, “where chaos meets elegance.” Waka is known for her unique approach to building cocktails around colors, choosing a main ingredient and bringing similar colored products into the mix to create the drink. Since we’re positive she’ll also be bringing along the fun-loving and colorful atmosphere of her home bar, No. 70 on the extended list of Asia’s 50 Best Bars, Waka’s weekend at Tokyo Last Call is going to be one you don’t want to miss.

Make a reservation for Tokyo Last Call: Season II with Tokyo Confidential

Suntory Time

Exclusively on Friday evenings throughout the series, House of Suntory Brand Ambassador Davey Jones will lead two hour-long guided Japanese whisky tasting sessions at 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Available for $255 per person (gratuity not included), each tasting offers a rare opportunity to delve into the nuanced profiles of four of Suntory’s most celebrated and highly sought-after whiskies, including aged Suntory Yamazaki and Hakushu whiskies, paired with bites from Sushi-san. Seating is limited to 10 guests per session.

Make a reservation for a Suntory Whisky Tasting at Tokyo Last Call: Season II

What’s New for Season II

Beary and Kitsmiller once again selected Tokyo Last Call guest bartenders not only for their unparalleled cocktail talents but because they share the pair’s passion for playlist creation and the inherent knowledge of how the right music can enhance—even transform—a drinking experience. As such, a retro jukebox will spin thoughtfully curated playlists to set the vibe during each weekend.

New for Tokyo Last Call: Season II, is a menu of select Sushi-san signatures, including Togarashi Chicken Nuggets, Roasted Edamame and Tako Karaage, as well as a daily happy hour featuring half-price Toki Black Cocktails from 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Tokyo Last Call: Season II will take place at Sushi-san – Lincoln Park’s lower-level Dojo from Thursday – Sunday from 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM and Saturday – Sunday from 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM throughout September, and is open to guests 21+. Reservations are available on OpenTable and on the website. For more information, follow on Instagram at @tokyolastcall.