Ashley Sutton, the designer behind Dining Concepts venues Iron Fairies, Ophelia and J.Boroski once again collaborates with the food and beverage group on their new club Yojimbo on Pottinger Street – occupying the space that formerly housed Boujis. Expect top notch drinks, international DJs and a variety of performances in this Japanese-inspired venue named after the classic 1961 Akira Kurosawa samurai movie Yojimbo – a favourite of Sutton’s.
Sutton has venues in Japan and Yojimbo pays homage to the underground bars of Tokyo’s glitzy Ginza district and his love for their quirkiness. Much like these venues, Yojimbo offers different experiences around the club, from a cocktail lounge to dancefloor and performance stage on which geishas, samurai schoolgirls, Harajuku punks, Hannya girls and anime-inspired spirits will strut their stuff.
On the decks is DJ Aaron James – a spinner who has opened for stars including Elton John and Eminem and DJ’d with the likes of Mark Ronson. Expect hip hop, trap, booty breaks, dancehall, electro rock and much more from James’ speakers. With club nights names such as Samurai Night Fever Saturdays – ghetto funk, electro rock and future house and Discozilla Wednesdays – glitchy disco beats and indie nu disco, it sounds like there’s plenty of dancing to be had.
Behind the stick is Alberto Aldave – previously of The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz London – mixing Japanese-inspired cocktails. Expect Japanese whiskies and cocktails including Yojimbo – sake, gin, yuzu juice, grapefruit bitters and champagne garnished with edible flowers, and Ninja Shadow – caviar infused Belvedere vodka, lemon, white port, elderflower, plum bitters and salt.
It's currently in soft opening and the grand opening is November 10. The best part? It’s from 6pm to 5am so you’ve got a place to booze, boogie and party through to the wee hours.