Craft Gin Bar & Lounge

Whether it’s a gin martini, gimlet, French 75 or G&T, the crisp, juniper-laden spirit has wooed the world since around 70AD. However, the gin industry was dominated for several decades by big names, but is now thriving with a growing community of craft distilleries. If you fancy sampling through about 40 craft gin makers from around the world, get yourself to the inaugural Craft Gin Bar & Lounge at the UNU Farmers Market in Aoyama. Spend the afternoon over a refreshing gin drink, chat with the specialist distillers, and try crafting your own cocktail. You can even purchase your favourite gin by the bottle to take home.

Some of the participating labels include Chicago’s Koval, Scotland’s The Botanist, New Zealand’s Hidden World, New York’s Neversink Spirits, and Japan’s own Komasa. Don't miss the Bee's Bar x Craft Gin pop-up; this collaboration with Yuko Narisawa of the acclaimed Narisawa restaurant in Aoyama will be serving up several craft gin cocktails.

As botanicals are central to gin, brewers are known for their distinctive use of local flowers and herbs to flavour and distinguish their products: New Zealand gin is infused with native pepper, Japanese with mandarin from Sakurajima, Scottish with local bark… Hence the reason why this gin fest is also held in conjunction with the Flower x Plant Festival.

Pricing wise, ¥1,000 will get you four coins, and each coin can be redeemed for a 10-12ml tasting portion, whereas three coins get you a 100ml cocktail with a gin of your choice.