Cover Bar Toshokan will launch at Foxglove's Frank's Library in January 2022 (Photo: Sunday's Spirits)
Bar Toshokan will launch at Foxglove's Frank's Library in January 2022 (Photo: Sunday's Spirits)
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Check out the newest experience by the Sunday’s crew, designed to transport you to the quiet, immersive speakeasies of Japan
Editor's note: Due to changes in social distancing regulations between 7-21 January, Bar Toshokan will operate between 12noon and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday only until further notice.
Just because we can’t travel doesn’t mean we can’t take a trip to Japan—short of jetting off to Tokyo, drinkers with wanderlust should make their way to Foxglove in January 2022 to get their hidden Japanese cocktail den fix. Bar Toshokan (meaning ‘library’ in Japanese) will be taking over Frank’s Library, the hideaway speakeasy-within-a-speakeasy at the Central lounge, and turning it into a haven for Japanese cocktails by Aki Chow from Foxglove.
The one-month pop-up will run from 6pm till late Wednesday to Saturday (closing hours range from 11pm on Wednesday to midnight on Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays), with a few guest shifts and events to be announced. Reservations are taken for tables between 6pm and 9pm (email frankslibrary@mingfathouse.com) after which the bar will be walk-in only. The bar is styled after masterful Japanese bars that inspired the team during previous travels, and the principles of perfection—whether it’s intricate ice carving technique, beautiful glassware or omotenashi-style hospitality—will be on full show.
Above Experience mixology with finesse at Bar Toshokan (Photo: Sunday's Spirits)
Above Expect perfected highballs and more (Photo: Sunday's Spirits)
Experience mixology with finesse at Bar Toshokan (Photo: Sunday's Spirits)
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The menu features four variations on the highball, including the Piña Hi with its tropics-forward mix of coconut fat-washed Sunday's Nas whisky, Heiwa yuzushu, sakura and clarified coconut milk; as well as three cocktails, each with distinctive Japanese flavours, from hojicha to Kyoho grape.
Another highlight is the presentation of the limited Sunday's 7 Year Single Cask Whisky, comprising of whiskies from two legendary Japanese distilleries—Hanyu, which shuttered in 2000 and best known for their highly covetable playing card series of bottles, and Chichibu—that were then filled into an ex-bourbon cask in Scotland, and matured for seven years. This special edition was created as a collaboration between Elliot Faber, Ichiro Akuto (the founder of Chichibu) and scotch whisky bottler Duncan Taylor and, according to the Sunday’s team, features tasting notes such as Hong Kong-style French toast, tofu pudding and olive oil, with corn pops on the nose.
Bar Toshokan at Frank’s Library, Foxglove, G/F, 18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2116 2449
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Charmaine Mok was formerly the Content Director of Dining for Tatler Hong Kong, overseeing Tatler Dining, the Off Menu festivals and the annual Tatler Dining Guide and Awards. As well as penning the latest stories about the city's newest restaurant openings, dining trends and food culture, she's constantly searching for leads on new flavours, food personalities, and thrilling new culinary destinations. Follow her on Instagram @supercharz
