A Two-Month Japanese Cocktail Residency Moves Into a Sydney Basement Izakaya

If your social calendar’s been in hibernation, late-night drinking in Sydney is heating up with the return of Suntory’s bar residency – now in its third year, it lands in a new home for 2026: Sakura House, the second outpost from the team behind Darlinghurst local The Waratah.

Aptly named Suntory House, the residency takes over the chic CBD basement izakaya from July 31 to October 3. The concept draws on the Japanese tradition of nomikai, where izakayas come alive for post-work socialising. As such, Suntory House serves cocktails, highballs, sours and Japanese beer on tap.

The residency sees Suntory, working alongside the Sakura House bar team, reinvent the venue's menu using its wider portfolio of spirits – from The House of Suntory’s Roku Gin and smoky Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve single malt whisky to international favourites Laphroaig and Maker's Mark, plus non-alcoholic Boss Coffee.

Here’s a glimpse of what’s pouring: the Matcha Point, a twist on a matcha Martini made with Roku Gin, passionfruit and white chocolate; the Blue Zone, a cacao-laced Old Fashioned built on Hakushu Distiller's Reserve, kuromitsu (a rich Okinawan black sugar syrup), rhubarb and vanilla; and the Frozen Mameya, a blended iced coffee cocktail made with Toki Whisky, Boss Coffee and dulce de leche.

Of course, no izakaya is complete without first-rate share plates. Expect dishes inspired by Japan’s konbini (convenience store) and izakaya snack culture, but with a high-end twist. 

There’s Famichiki-style fried chicken served with bonito cream and caviar – the perfect pairing for a Sakura Sour, featuring Haku Vodka, yuzu, lemon and bubbles. Or go for a classic mini katsu sando made with Balmain bug, and a Mazda Zoom Zoom, a cocktail taking notes from the melon soda floats often served at baseball games and cafes in Japan. Other highlights include flame-seared aburi salmon temaki handrolls and, for dessert, strawberry Pocky mochi ice-cream.

In terms of the venue's interior transformation, water runs through the residency's design – a nod to Suntory's long-held commitment to water conservation and its philosophy of good ancestry. Head down the illuminated staircase, styled to mimic flowing currents, and you'll find a hand-painted ripple motif and playful illustrations by artist Kentaro Yoshida running through the space.

For an extra hit of Tokyo, there’s also a stocked vending machine on-site, loaded with merch and konbini snacks. Suntory House will also host a series of exclusive events over the course of the residency, with details yet to be announced.

The takeover is walk-ins only, and you’ll find exclusive event announcements at sakurahousesydney.com. 

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Suntory.