There are few bars as intensely personal as Shin Gi Tai. The joint is headed by Anthony Zhong (ex-Jigger & Pony), and has been around for almost a decade yet remains understated — they don’t have a website, Facebook or Instagram page to date and regulars still call in to make a reservation. The mood is chatty and convivial, but when the room starts to fill, expect to wait a while for service.
There’s no menu here – simply tell the bartender your preferences, be it cocktail, spirit, or flavour profile and they’ll whip up something to your liking. Prices start at $25 and while you’re there, be sure to try their cult classic negroni, which is made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
The Japanese influence extends to izakaya-style bar bites and even heftier options like pasta with uni or a luxurious wagyu beef don.
Shin Gi Tai is a third place where everybody knows your name – its current clientele is almost entirely composed of regulars. And that’s how Zhong wants to keep it: under the radar and appreciated by those truly in the know.