Taigen bar in Prague is organising an evening that will bring together two distinct worlds of bar culture. On Saturday 22 August, the bar’s in-house team will be joined behind the bar by Hiroaki Oda, owner and bartender at iXey Bar in Kyoto. His style is strongly associated with botanical ingredients, herbal liqueurs and, above all, working with aromas. In his view, a cocktail is not just a matter of taste, but also a way of creating a unique moment and atmosphere.
Taigen × Hiroaki Oda / iXey
Saturday, 22 August, from 6:00 pm to around midnight
6 cocktails | tasting menu by Petr Bartoš (Kruh Dining) | live painting by Komori-san
Oda opened iXey Bar in Kyoto’s Gion district in 2014 and has long been dedicated to the world of herbal liqueurs. In his work, he also uses plants from his own herb garden and takes an interest in Japanese botanicals and distillation. His approach is based on exploring aromas and their combinations; in his own words, he often starts by asking guests what scents they like.
Alongside iXey Bar, Oda is also behind the iXey Non-Alcoholic Spirits Kyoto Distillery & Salon project, which combines a small distillery with a bar specialising in both non-alcoholic and classic cocktails. His own brand, miatina, works with the concept of “drinkable perfume” – a drink in which natural botanical scents are concentrated through distillation.
It is precisely these scents, botanicals and diverse ingredients that Prague’s Guest Shift will focus on as well. Oda and his local counterpart will each prepare a trio of cocktails, united by the theme of fusing Japanese and Czech ingredients. This will therefore not simply be a presentation of the Kyoto bar in Prague, but a dialogue between two gastronomic cultures through the glass.
The evening will also feature a small tasting menu prepared by Petr Bartoš from Kruh Dining. The cocktails will thus be complemented by a culinary counterpart.
And because the world of iXey is not just about drinks, but also about atmosphere and art, another visual treat awaits guests. Komori-san will be painting live on site during the evening. Visitors can currently also see his work at an exhibition in the tower of the New Town Hall.
Tranquillity instead of a crowded bar
The Guest Shift begins on Saturday 22 August at 6 pm and will last until around midnight. Taigen points out, however, that the bar is small and there may be a wait during the evening.
In this case, capacity is more a part of the concept than a problem. The aim is not to fill the venue at any cost, but to maintain an intimate atmosphere and a pace that allows guests to focus on their drinks, food and the gathering itself.
Indeed, time is one of the themes to which Oda returns in his work. In his view, a well-crafted cocktail should not be something a guest drinks in a matter of minutes. It should create space for conversation, reflection and a shared moment.
And that is exactly what an evening at Taigen should be like: intimate, peaceful and built around the aromas, flavours and the meeting of Czech and Japanese bar cultures.
