Suntory House is returning to Sydney for its third bar residency from 31 July to 3 October 2026, bringing Japanese drinking culture to the Harbour City.

The two-month take-over will be hosted at Sakura House, a basement izakaya in the CBD from the team behind Darlinghurst favourite The Waratah.

This year’s takeover moves away from structured hospitality and formal tasting menus toward something more lively. Drawing inspiration from nomikai, Japan’s tradition of post-work socialising, Suntory House is designed as a place for people to come together over highballs, sours and beer on tap, plus cocktails, share plates and an izakaya-style atmosphere.

A curated menu of Suntory classics and bespoke cocktails by the Sakura House team will include:

• Mazda Zoom Zoom — named after Hiroshima’s baseball stadium, Mazda Zoom Zoom is an ode to the iconic melon floats drank during baseball games in Japan; a bright mix of Haku Vodka, Midori, melon and vanilla, lifted with a crisp fizz
• Matcha Point — Sakura House’s twist on a far from traditional matcha martini, the Matcha Point combines the trending earthy tea with Roku Gin, passionfruit and white chocolate
• Nagano Sawa — named after the primary growing region for Japanese wasabi, the Nagano Sawa is a tribute to the iconic ingredient in the form of a lemon sour (sawa); Roku Gin, Minus 196 Double Lemon, fuji apple and wasabi — refreshing and citrusy with hints of spice
• Frozen Mameya — a nod to an adored and globally recognised roaster and cafe in Tokyo, the Frozen Mameya is a blended, iced coffee cocktail featuring Toki Whisky, Suntory BOSS Coffee and dulce de leche — creamy and indulgent
• Blue Zone — a cacao-laced take on the Old Fashioned, combining Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve with kuromitsu — the rich, honey-like reduction of Okinawan black sugar — and balanced with rhubarb and vanilla
• Sakura Sour — the house pour for good reason, and the venue’s best-seller since its opening — a zippy, citrusy mix of Haku Vodka, yuzu, lemon and bubbles, served on tap.

To complement the drinks, a snack and shared-style food menu offers guests izakaya classics with an elevated twist, all while bringing Japan’s much-loved konbini culture to Sydney. Highlights will include Famichiki-style fried chicken with smoked bonito cream and caviar, mini Balmain bug katsu sandos, aburi salmon temaki, and strawberry Pocky mochi ice-cream.

Patrons will head down a flight of illuminated stairs and find themselves transported to Tokyo. And keeping with Japanese tradition, a vending machine inside Suntory House will be stocked with branded merch, konbini snacks, gifts and redeemable vouchers. 

The design of Suntory House takes Sakura House’s contemporary izakaya aesthetic and gives it a distinctly Suntory twist, inspired by the element at the heart of every Suntory product: water. An illuminated staircase inspired by flowing currents, a hand-painted ripple motif and playful Kentaro Yoshida illustrations bringing Suntory’s water sanctuary to life. It reflects a deep gratitude for nature and a stewardship of water that began in Japan and continues through locally relevant initiatives around the world. The result is vibrant, fun and unmistakably Suntory.

Suntory Senior General Manager, Corporate Brand Strategy Department Kazuyuki Takayama said: “We’re thrilled to return to Sydney for the third year with Suntory House — and this year, we’re bringing the energy of a true Tokyo izakaya to one of the city’s most beloved bars.

“Sakura House is the perfect home for us; a vibrant late-night spot where Sydneysiders and visitors alike can experience Suntory’s pioneering spirit and over a century of exceptional craftsmanship.”

Sakura House Founder & Director Cynthia Litster said: “We’ve been fans of Suntory since before we opened Sakura House — Japanese spirits, and Suntory’s in particular, have always been central to our offering.

“When the opportunity came to host Suntory House, it felt like a natural fit; two brands that share a deep respect for Japanese drinking culture and a passion for keeping those traditions alive. Our bar team has built a cocktail menu that honours both the liquid and the pioneering spirit of Suntory — we can’t wait to share what we’ve created.”

Sakura House is located at Basement/82-88 Elizabeth St, Sydney. More information coming soon to: sakurahousesydney.com