From Tokyo to Kyoto: five cocktail bars to check out for Negroni Week 2023

Helmed by bartender Soran Nomura of acclaimed Asakusa standing bar Nomura Shoten, Quarter Room is a unique fusion of art and cocktails. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and contemporary art and translating them into experimental cocktails, the bar menu lists drinks such as Peony and Butterfly, named after Shotei Watanabe’s painting ‘Picture of Peony with Butterfly’, as well as  Apple and Orange, which is a nod to Paul Cézanne's ‘Apples and Oranges’. Behind the bar counter is a small ‘lab’, where Nomura experiments with different formulas for bottled cocktails. 

For Negroni Week, Quarter Room will draw inspiration from Amedeo Modigliani's 1919 painting 'Woman with a Fan'. The woman's fan in the artwork is represented by a garnish technique where white chocolate is brushed onto the glass. As for the colour palette, the hues of the painting will be captured by infusing the Negroni with hojicha (roasted green tea) for a touch of bitterness.

Tokyo boasts numerous renowned hotel bars, yet few can claim a bartender as exceptional as Koji Nammoku. This cocktail maestro presides over The Society on the 25th floor of Park Hotel Tokyo.

This popular watering hole is a model of elegant simplicity, where regulars gather around a radiant U-shaped marble-topped bar. While Nammoku and his team offer a menu of over 100 meticulously crafted cocktails, many patrons prefer to seek out his personal recommendations. 

The Society’s version of the Negroni is called the Gastronomy Curry Negroni, a concoction that took about three years to perfect. The drink blends an original gin-emulsified spice oil with a clarified curry gin base, which is then combined with Campari, multiple types of sweet vermouth, and bitters. This is swirled in a decanter to elevate the flavours before it's served with a garnish of torched bay leaves and dried banana slices.

A mere stone's throw away from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station, Jeremiah Tokyo’s door resembles a book cover, which gives way to a speakeasy named after 19th-century bartender Jeremiah 'Jerry' Thomas. 

Opened in December 2018, the bar’s interior is reminiscent of a 19th-century New York tavern, brimming with character, satirical art, Edison bulbs, quirky signs, and even taxidermy animal mounts. Their drink menu? Modern adaptations of cocktails from Thomas's seminal 'Bartenders Guide', all available with no cover charge. 

Jeremiah's Negroni Week special is a cocktail called the Catana Negroni. A unique twist on the classic, this Negroni replaces gin with SG Shochu, giving it a distinctive Japanese flavour. It's further enhanced with the exotic flavours of tonka beans and anko bean paste. The cocktail also includes Campari, Gran Classico and Antica Formula Vermouth, topped with a slice of chocolate yokan.

Craftroom opened in September 2020 at the height of the pandemic, but the bar has quickly made a name for itself as one of Osaka’s leading cocktail bars. Earlier this year, Craftroom was ranked No. 62 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2023. 

Founded by Ryu Fujii, the 2016 World Class Country Winner, Craftroom offers a captivating mix of classic cocktails made with rare liquors, and vibrant concoctions bursting with fresh, seasonal fruits. That said, the bar has more to offer than a stellar list of cocktails. Every day, a freshly baked pie graces the counter, allowing you to round off your visit on a sweet note. It's evident that Craftroom truly savours life's finer pleasures.

During Negroni Week, Craftroom will showcase its Signature Negroni, elevated with bergamot and a hint of cardamom. This fusion enhances the Negroni's innate bitter citrus notes for a richer, more complex cocktail. 

Tucked away in the labyrinthine backstreets of downtown Kyoto, Bar Rocking Chair is a gem waiting to be discovered. Its cosy wood-panelled interior can accommodate fewer than 30 guests, creating an intimate atmosphere heightened by the soft glow of dim lighting. At the helm is Kenji Tsubokura, not just the owner but also a celebrated figure in the world of mixology. He was crowned the 2016 World Bartender of the Year and has championed various national and international bartending competitions. 

For Negroni Week, Bar Rocking Chair will serve its rendition of the cocktail in an oversized wine glass, blending chilled gin, Campari and sweet vermouth in a 2:1:1 ratio. The magic here is in the mixing of the cocktail. While traditional methods of stirring can introduce an unwanted bitterness to the Negroni, Bar Rocking Chair’s approach omits the use of a bar spoon to ensure a smoother finish with just a subtle hint of bitterness.

Negroni Week will run from September 18 to September 24 2023. You can visit the official website to learn more about Campari and see the full list of participating bars.