Standing proudly on the 43rd floor of the luxury hotel Fairmont Tokyo are three bars that reward curiosity, late nights and an appreciation for thoughtful drinking — Driftwood Bar, Off Record and Yoi to Yoi. We recently visited two of them: Driftwood Bar, where guests can enjoy cocktails that tell stories of distant shores, and Off Record, an invitation-only-feeling music bar that hums with intimacy and nostalgia.
Under the direction of acclaimed Bar Director Hideyuki Saito, they are very different spaces, offering distinct yet complementary experiences.
Driftwood Bar: Cocktails as Voyages
Driftwood Bar is built around the idea of movement, whether it be of ingredients, cultures or ideas that travel across oceans while finding new harmony along the way. As Saito describes it, each cocktail is a voyage, uniting the soul of one place with the spirit of another. The concept feels especially fitting in Tokyo, a city that has long excelled at absorbing global influences and refining them with unmistakable precision.
That philosophy comes through clearly in the Kyoto Pepper-tini, a drink that bridges continents with surprising elegance. Pisco made from ripe Chilean grapes forms the backbone, meeting the aromatic warmth of Kyoto pepper, alongside vermouth, verjus, bergamot and a subtle red wine note. The result is vibrant yet somehow restrained and fragrant rather than spicy, with layers that unfold slowly.
More playful in character is the Yuzu Paloma, a bright, sparkling reimagining of the classic, built with Aperol and Tres Generaciones Reposado tequila. The yuzu from Kochi Prefecture brings a sharp, fragrant citrus lift, while white balsamic and lemon verbena distillate add depth and softness. Finished with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic and grapefruit bitters, it’s fresh and immensely drinkable.
To accompany the drinks, Driftwood’s Wagyu beef sliders arrive as an indulgent counterpoint. Rich, juicy and deeply satisfying, they ground the cocktails with comfort and umami, making the bar an easy place to settle into rather than simply pass through.
Off Record: A Secret Worth Discovering
If Driftwood Bar is expansive in spirit, Off Record is deliberately discreet. Tucked away like a secret room, the bar draws inspiration from music-listening lounges and late-night hideouts, creating an ultimate sound space with a cutting-edge Hi-Fi sound system, carefully selected records and an on-site DJ.
Here, 10 types of cocktails are available, featuring classic recipes reconstructed with modern sensibilities, best exemplified by Off Record’s signature Gran Espresso Martini. Taking inspiration from the classic cocktail born in London in the 1980s, this version layers in a richly aromatic bitter aperitif, adding depth and elegance to the familiar coffee-vodka structure. It’s smooth and composed, with a gentle bitterness that lingers — a drink that feels designed for vinyl crackle and unhurried conversation.
A Guiding Hand Behind the Bar
With experience competing in world-class cocktail competitions and shaping bar programs recognized by The World’s 50 Best Bars, Saito brings a global perspective to Fairmont Tokyo. His approach here is less about spectacle and more about memory — crafting drinks and spaces that leave a lasting impression long after the final sip.
More Information
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