Famed cocktail bar in Tokyo’s glitzy Ginza district by legendary Japanese bartender Hidetsugu Ueno
October 18th, 2017
Hidetsugu Ueno kicks off ‘The Art of World Class Mixology’ bartending master class series in China ‘This year, World Class is bigger and better’ - a phrase that seems to have been repeated year-on-year since Diageo’s inaugural global World Class bartending event in 2009, but it is indeed growing rapidly. Hidetsugu Ueno (of Bar High Five, Ginza, Tokyo, renown) was presented with a bottle of Smoke & Oakum's Gunpowder Rum in July of 2011- perhaps the first of its kind to reach the shores of Japan. A signature serve was requested and Ueno San magnanimously. We sit down with one of the world’s most famous Japanese bartenders, Hidetsugu Ueno of Tokyo's Bar High Five, to find out just why Japanese bartending is so famous all around the world.
Consistently highly placed on lists of Asia and the world’s top bars, BAR HIGH FIVE is one of Tokyo’s stand out destinations for sublime drinks and traditional Japanese bartending. Founded in 2008 by the internationally celebrated bartender Hidetsugu Ueno, BAR HIGH FIVE is located in the heart of the glamorous Ginza shopping and lifestyle district. Occupying a compact basement space of an office building, Bar High Five epitomises the legendary service ethos of Tokyo’s premium bars, refreshed with subtle nods to contemporary mixology. Drawn by the legendary bartending skills of its founder, BAR HIGH FIVE features prominently on the itineraries of visiting cocktail enthusiasts, members of international bar community – while primarily attracting a discerning and knowledgeable local clientele.
Prior to opening his own bar, Ueno-san honed his bartending skills at the nearby Star Bar – one of Ginza’s most famous high-end bars. A master of both the “hard shake” technique – and the art of hand-carved ice, in recent years Ueno-san has garnered international recognition through his judging role with annual Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year competition.
Cocktails – At BAR HIGH FIVE there is no drink menu – the bartenders engage with the guests and establish spirits and taste preferences before creating their bespoke cocktails. In addition to the polished cocktail service, the expansive back bar showcases an impressive collection of several hundred Japanese and Scotch whiskies. Among the signature cocktails of Ueno-san are the “Ceremony”– featuring all-Japanese ingredients – Hakusha Whisky, Hermes Green Tea, and Suntory Matcha; and another locally inspired cocktail – “Full Bloom” – with Kinobi Gin, Cherry Blossom and Luxardo.
The classic bar interior features a showpiece 12-seat timber bar counter, timber panelling and flooring, while a plush green velvet banquette together with several small table settings are found at one end of the room. Reservations are not taken – but if phoned ahead an available seat will be held at the bar for 10 minutes only. Opening hours are Monday through Saturday from 5 pm to 11:30 pm last entry – bar closes 1 am; closed on Sundays and national holidays.
Hidetsugu Ueno Instagram
BAR HIGH FIVE
BAR HIGH FIVE cocktails
Hidetsugu Ueno
Bar High Five icon gives Hong Kong a taste of Ginza in Central. By Natasha Hong.
“No Plan B” was the plea that Attire House owners Roger Chan and Brandon Chau put out to get Hidetsugu Ueno on board for their new venture – a tailor’s and a barbershop – and five attempts later, their persistence has paid off. The Spirited Awards International Bartender of the Year has lent his expertise to the cocktail bar within this handsome Wyndham Road perch, and for the task, he’s appointed his Bar High Five protege, Yuriko Naganuma as head bartender to lead the drinks program.
Hidetsugu Ueno Ice Carving
No stranger to the Hong Kong palate, the female barkeep was part of the team jetted to the city for the Ginza institution’s 2016 pop-up at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental. For Bar De Luxe, she’s prepared a brand new cocktail list where Japanese liquor, seasonal blooms and other ingredients pair with top-shelf Iberico cured hams, cheese and foie gras bar snacks. Bar High Five’s more enduring influence in the city will also occasionally graced by Ueno-san, with his first appearance behind the stick timed for January 23-25.
Bar De Luxe / 29-30F, 8 Wyndham Street, Hong Kong / +852 3706 5716 / www.attire-house.com/bar