Japanese whisky bar culture comes to London this month, as Toki Whisky partners with Shoreditch cocktail bar Seed Library, to open the Toki Listening Bar, a celebration of Japan’s music club Highball culture.
Open now until November 30, visitors will be able to enjoy specially curated Japanese Toki whisky cocktails, alongside vinyl mixes from MAJ (My Analog Journal).
Sets have been selected to represent the decades of musical influence in Japan from the 1950s, to the present day. The event is part of the House of Suntory’s ongoing centenary celebrations.
Quintessentially Japanese, jazz kissa music bars entertain patrons with jazz inflected vinyl and a wide choice of whiskeys, most often enjoyed as a highball cocktail.
The Seed Library recreates this unique vibe, complete with vinyl record station, wood panelling and bespoke furniture – plus a delicious collection of Suntory cocktails.
Quintessentially Japanese, jazz kissa music bars entertain patrons with jazz inflected vinyl and a wide choice of whiskeys…
Every Thursday a new guest DJ will play at Seed Library alongside the MAJ artists. Here’s the upcoming schedule:
November 9 – MAJ spotlight – 8pm-12am: Shaqdi and Kay Suzuki
November 16 – MAJ spotlight – 8pm-12am: Ceylan Goksel and Mari* Kimura
November 23 – MAJ spotlight – 8pm-12am: Zag Erlat and Nina Yamada
November 30 – MAJ spotlight – 8pm-12am: Zag Erlat, Shaqdi and Ceylan Goksel
What’s more, on November 22 there will be an exclusive bar takeover by legendary Japanese bartender, Hidetsugu Ueno, from Bar High Five in Tokyo. On offer will be a bespoke Suntory highball menu, created by Ueno.
The Toki Listening Bar cocktail menu comprises: the High Five Highball (Toki whisky, cold soda, plus various garnish options, including apple, sweet potato whey and grape); the Shinjiro Daisy (Toki whisky, lemon, sunflower, pumpkin seed amazake and raspberry leaf bitters); the Red Ball Sazerac (Toki whisky, English currants, and white absinthe); Kazu Martini (Haku vodka, Kasu cured lemon and dry vermouth) and the Calamansi Mule (Roku gin, galangal, citrus and ginger beer).
The Luxe Review attended the opening night, and can recommend them all. We particularly relished the opportunity to experience a fully authentic Japanese Highball, which is uniquely refreshing.
Our verdict? The laid back atmosphere, superb cocktails and Japanese soundtrack make for a highly memorable night at the Toki Listening Bar. Visit while you can!
In honour of its centennial, the House of Suntory has released several limited-edition whiskies, including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18-Year-Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12-Year-Old and Hakushu 12-Year-Old have also been released for the centennial.
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
The Luxe Review 
Japanese whisky bar culture comes to London this month, as Toki Whisky partners with Shoreditch cocktail bar Seed Library, to open the Toki Listening Bar, a celebration of Japan’s music club Highball culture.
Open now until November 30, visitors will be able to enjoy specially curated Japanese Toki whisky cocktails, alongside vinyl mixes from MAJ (My Analog Journal).
Sets have been selected to represent the decades of musical influence in Japan from the 1950s, to the present day. The event is part of the House of Suntory’s ongoing centenary celebrations.
Quintessentially Japanese, jazz kissa music bars entertain patrons with jazz inflected vinyl and a wide choice of whiskeys, most often enjoyed as a highball cocktail.
The Seed Library recreates this unique vibe, complete with vinyl record station, wood panelling and bespoke furniture – plus a delicious collection of Suntory cocktails.
Every Thursday a new guest DJ will play at Seed Library alongside the MAJ artists. Here’s the upcoming schedule:
What’s more, on November 22 there will be an exclusive bar takeover by legendary Japanese bartender, Hidetsugu Ueno, from Bar High Five in Tokyo. On offer will be a bespoke Suntory highball menu, created by Ueno.
The Toki Listening Bar cocktail menu comprises: the High Five Highball (Toki whisky, cold soda, plus various garnish options, including apple, sweet potato whey and grape); the Shinjiro Daisy (Toki whisky, lemon, sunflower, pumpkin seed amazake and raspberry leaf bitters); the Red Ball Sazerac (Toki whisky, English currants, and white absinthe); Kazu Martini (Haku vodka, Kasu cured lemon and dry vermouth) and the Calamansi Mule (Roku gin, galangal, citrus and ginger beer).
The Luxe Review attended the opening night, and can recommend them all. We particularly relished the opportunity to experience a fully authentic Japanese Highball, which is uniquely refreshing.
Our verdict? The laid back atmosphere, superb cocktails and Japanese soundtrack make for a highly memorable night at the Toki Listening Bar. Visit while you can!
In honour of its centennial, the House of Suntory has released several limited-edition whiskies, including Yamazaki 18 Year Old Mizunara and Hakushu 18-Year-Old Peated Malt whiskies. Limited 100th anniversary labels of the flagship Yamazaki 12-Year-Old and Hakushu 12-Year-Old have also been released for the centennial.
Redbreast Irish Whiskey Moscatel Wine Cask Edition adds Mediterranean influence to Iberian Series
Redbreast Irish Whiskey has looked to the fortified wine traditions of southern Spain, for the fifth release in its Iberian Series, the Moscatel Wine Cask Edition. For more than a century, Redbreast has been closely associated with the single pot still tradition, a style that defines much of Irish whiskey’s historic identity. Produced at Midleton…
Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
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