Japanese cocktail bar with an NYC attitude

Vintage ambience with Japanese cocktails & small plates

Last updated: Monday, 5 February 2024

What do three New Yorkers, Cape Town, and cocktails have in common? ANTHM. It’s a new cocktail bar in the CBD, inspired by its NYC sister establishment ROKC. ANTHM specialises in craft cocktails and Japanese small plates. And it’s all in a Japanese “kominka”.

The bar marked its opening on 31 January 2024. Image: Alessandro Galassi

ENTER A JAPANESE KOMINKA

Esteemed New York bartender and bar trainer, Tetsuo Hasegawa, partnered up with chef Elyas Popa and DJ Shigefumi “Shige” Kabashima to open Cape Town’s newest hot spot ANTHM. 

The cocktail bar combines the ambience of a "kominka" (an old Japanese folk house), and New York City flair. It’s adorned with antique furniture, wooden floors, and customised glassware and plates from New York and the East Village. 

There are two floors, a 40-seater restaurant on the ground floor and a live music lounge on the first floor, with live shows from soulful jazz to rock ‘n roll.

Expect different dressings, oils, and spices from Japan with traditional South African meals like ‘pap’. Image: Alessandro Galassi

CURATED RECORDS AND CRAFT COCKTAILS

ANTHM’s cocktails are named after songs you’ll find playing at the establishment, creating a multi-sensory experience where you taste and hear the music.

Some drinks include A Lazy Afternoon (Amber Gin, amaro wine, and hojica), All Night Boogie (Cape brandy, old vintage wine, banana, dark chocolate, white miso and milk washed), and Smokestack Lightin’ (scotch whiskey, amaro, porcini, and Yamazakura aroma smoked).

The flavour palate ranges from fruity and citrusy, to spicy and smokey.

The fruity and rich flavours of ANTHM apply to the cocktails and the food. Image: Alessandro Galassi

DINE WITH SMALL JAPANESE PLATES   

While the main show might be the cocktails, the food menu enhances the experience, combining South African ingredients with Japanese flavours and cooking techniques. 

There’s crudo (tender sirloin tartare with spicy miso and yuzu dressing in soy cured yolk), ceviche (fresh seasonal fish cured in a lime-habanero ginger Leche de Tigre and chive oil) and a variety of pickles, including spiced pickled red grapes, that are meant to complement the taste of the cocktails. 

The restaurant and cocktail bar operates on a walk-in basis, making it ideal for a spontaneous night out or a planned dinner party.

The small plates at ANTHM are designed to enhance the cocktails. Image: Alessandro Galassi

VISIT ANTHM COCKTAIL BAR 

ANTHM is open: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm till 12am
Find them: 63 Loop Street | Cape Town
Price range: Craft cocktails from R150
Contact them on: @anthm_cpt

Subscribe to our newsletter to find out more about ANTHM.

By Khadeeja Adams

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