Live Twice isn’t just your typical Japanese bar wannabe. The tasteful mid-century modern decor takes a page off a bygone era in Japan and shakes up tipples that go against the traditional purist ideals of how a Japanese bar should be. As you walk by the narrow passageway, the space beckons you in with an alluring amber glow and luxurious furniture – we’re talking $3000 Falcon armchairs – as well as an oddly shaped communal table right next to where the magic happens.
At its head is David Kim, a Diageo World Class finalist who steadily held rank since joining the group at the start of 2022. The South Korean bartender stirs up drinks that are fresh, polished and playfully experimental without all the bells and whistles. Garnishes are kept simple – if they appear at all – and the cocktails’ crystalline clarity is emphasised by elegant Kimura glassware.
The 14-drink menu is split into two sections titled “one life for yourself” and “one for your dreams” – lyrics of Nancy Sinatra’s 1967 hit “You Only Live Twice”. Try classics like the Bamboo ($28) where grape skin vodka, fino sherry, and lavender bitters shine; or the Evergreen ($28) which marries rum, matcha, skimmed milk, and oolong tea. Seasonal specials are also a thing here, seeing two to three tipples ($32) making a limited-time appearance every quarter.
But if you’re a stickler for stiffers, the dangerously deceptive Vesper ($28) is definitely of James Bond. The class act combines Tempus Fugit Kina L'Aero D'Or (a fortified Cortese wine because the original Kina Lillet is no longer in production), Ki No Bi Sei Navy Strength Gin and Absolut Elyx Vodka. The aggressive shake results in thin ice shards breaking off, adding texture to the lethal concoction that’s otherwise as smooth as an assassin.
You should also order the food here. The real stars are the sandos. The highly raved-about wagyu katsu sando ($44) slathered in tonkatsu sauce and Japanese mayonnaise, lives up to the hype. The tamago sando ($24) is another worthy contender.
Happy hour runs daily from 6pm to 8pm with a selection of four quality tipples priced at $16.