From time to time we will host our own events or promote events organized by others. This is where you’ll find that information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, March 5th 6-8pm at The Brooklyn Kitchen (100 Frost Street, Brooklyn). The 1st ever Kampai + Brooklyn Kitchen Shochu Class introducing shochu from several distilleries with food pairings. Limited tickets available. Click here for more details and to buy tickets.
SHOCHU’SDAY SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 1st, 7-9pm at Shalom Japan (310 S 4th St, Brooklyn). Shochu’sday moves to Brooklyn for the first time with $5 glasses of shochu.
Monday, March 14th, 7-9pm, Shochu’sday at Uminoie (86 East 3rd Street). This is to celebrate White Day, the uniquely Japanese post-Valentines Day holiday in which men give chocolate to women so bring your chocolate and note this is on Monday, not Tuesday!
Monday, March 28th, 6-8pm, at Seki Sake Club at Bar Seki (365 W 46th Street). A special Shochu’sday at the new, cool Seki Sake Club organized by sake sommelier Yasu Suzuki and sommelier Rick Zouad.
Past SHOCHU’SDAYS
Tuesday, January 5th 7-9pm at Uminoie (86 East 3rd Street), the best little shochu bar in NYC.
Tuesday, January 12th 7-9pm at Hagi 46 (358 West 46th Street). Sake Bar Hagi, the basement izakaya steps from Times Square that magically moves you to Tokyo, has opened a 2nd location in Hell’s Kitchen.
Tuesday, January 26th 6-8pm at Juban (207 10th Avenue), the former Izakaya Ten space is new and improved with virtually the same concept.
Tuesday, February 2nd, 7-9pm at Bara (58 East 1st Street), a French-Japanese restaurant with a Momofuku alum in the kitchen.
Wednesday, February 17th, at Glocal Bar Imo Vibes (Kumamoto, Japan), Stephen Lyman will guest bartend.
Tuesday, February 23rd, Time 6-9pm at Lucky Cat (323 East 53rd Street). Jesse Falowitz pours custom chu-hai!
PAST EVENTS
January 2016
Miyazaki Shochu Party (Friday, January 8th, 7pm-9:30pm) 7 shochu makers will visit from Miyazaki Prefecture, the prefecture that makes more shochu than any other in Japan. Most of the brands are not yet available in the US. Event to be held at Global Labo (545 8th Avenue, Suite 1410, between 37th and 38th Street). $45 for shochu + buffet.
Gohan Society + Kampai! Shinenkai (Monday, January 18th, 6:30pm until ????) Our annual New Year party will be held at Azasu (Osaka dialect for “Thank you”), a sumo themed izakaya in the Lower East Side.
December 2015
Gohan Society + Kampai! Bonenkai (Monday, December 28th, 7-9pm) 3 dishes + 3 shochu pairings at Sake Bar Shigure for our annual “forget the year” party. A free cocktail reception will be held at the nearby Korin Knives showroom fro 6-6:45pm.
The Last Shochu Tuesday @ SakaMai (December 15th, Tuesday 7pm-9pm). Our own Stephen Lyman or his trusty sidekick Seikai Ishizuka pour 3 selected $5 shochus for New York’s first Shochu Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side (157 Ludlow between Stanton & Rivington).
July 2015
Summer Menu Pairing Dinner (Monday, July 13th, 7pm-9pm) Bara Restaurant, Gohan Society, and Kampai! partnered to introduce a 5 course tasting menu with 5 shochu pairings.
April 2015
Hoppy Spring Party (Thursday, April 9th, 7pm-10pm). Hoppy, a nostalgic post-war malt beverage mixed with shochu, is making a comeback! Free food and Hoppy for visitors to Wasan (East Village, 108 East 4th Street) RSVP’s arriving before 7:30 will be guaranteed entry. Anyone arriving after 7:30 may need to wait for availability as Wasan is an intimate izakaya. To RSVP: http://event.celebrations.com/
Shochu Sunday @ Decibel (Sunday, April 12th, 7pm-9pm). Stephen Lyman will be pouring selected shochu for $5 a glass at the back bar at New York’s oldest and most punk rock sake bar. Decibel: 240 East 9th Street. Seating is limited (8 seats), but if you get a table in the back and want to drink shochu, Stephen will drop by your table
J-COLLABO SPRING FESTIVAL: Shochu 101 (Saturday, April 18th, 4:30pm). Come explore shochu with Stephen Lyman of Kampai.US and Jesse Falowitz of Mizu Shochu. History, stories, and a tasting of some of their favorites at the J-Collabo Spring Festival in Brooklyn (300 7th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215).
February 2015
Shochu Immersion (Thursday, February 19th, 5pm-8pm) SIP Japan is hosting a shochu event at The Gander (15 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011). Try a wide variety of brands and cocktails from some of NYC’s top mixologists as you learn more about shochu with an opportunity to meet some of the makers. For more information or to RSVP, please email cbeyel@colangelopr.com
Shochu Sunday at Decibel (February 22nd, 6pm to 9pm). Stephen Lyman will pour $5 shochu at Decibel, the oldest and most punk-rock sake bar in NYC. Only 8 seats at the bar so space is limited and no standing is allowed despite the punkiness of hte place. 240 East 9th Street betweend 2nd and 3rd Aves.
August 2014:
The Shochu Handbook – Book Release Party (Tuesday, August 19th, 6-9pm) The first English language guide to shochu was recently published by Tokyo-resident Christopher Pellegrini. He’ll be in town on his book tour to visit SakaMai for a very special Shochu Tuesday. Reading, Q&A, shochu trivia, and drink specials on shochus selected by Christopher himself. Rumor has it guests will be among the first to be able to purchase paperback copies of the book (it’s been an e-book up until now) and have Christopher sign them.
June 2014:
Komasa Thursdays at SakaMai (every Thursday in June, 6pm-9pm). Komasa Shuzo, one of the largest sweet potato shochu distilleries in Kaogshima Prefecture, has a released a new super premium product to NYC: Gokujyo Kura no Shikon. On Thursday nights in June you can try this shochu for $12/glass at SakaMai and compare it with their two other products available in the US, Kozuru Kuro and Kura no Shikon for $5/glass. Our own Stephen Lyman will be hosting on Thursday, June 5th, and Sekai Ishizuka will be hosting for the rest of the month (Stephen is headed to Kyushu – again).
May 2014:
Gokujyo Kura no Shikon Event (Thursday 5/15 4pm to close) Seikai Ishizuka will be discussing shochu with a representative from Komasa Shuzo, which has begun importing the premium handmade sweet potato, Gokujyo Kura no Shikon from Kagoshima Prefecture. Classes of this premium shochu will usually be $20, but will be $15 this night only. Bottles will also be discounted from $135 to $105. The event is at Shochu + Tapas AYA (247 East 50th Street, New York, NY)
April 2014:
Tsukushi Shochu Seminar (Wednesday 4/9 8pm) Stephen Lyman will be discussing shochu with Kyoko Yoshida, an executive with Nishi Yoshida Shuzo. They’ll be sharing the differences between a variety of Nishi Yoshida’s 100% barley shochus. The event is at Shochu + Tapas AYA (247 East 50th Street, New York, NY)
3 Shochu Makers at SakaMai (Tuesday 4/1 7pm-9pm) At our usually scheduled Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (157 Ludlow) we will have 3 makers joining us from Nishi Yoshida Shuzo (Fukuoka), Satsuma Shuzo (Kagoshima), and Takahashi Shuzo (Kumamoto). We’ll be pouring their products for $5/glass.
March 2014:
Tsukushi Night @ Shochu & Tapas Aya (Wednesday 3/19 4pm to close). Free glass of Tsukushi Kuro barley shochu from Nishi Yoshida Shuzo for the first 50 customers (247 East 50th Street).
Tsukushi Week @ Shochu & Tapas Aya (3/20-3/25, 4pm-close) Try Tsukushi cocktails or get 20% off a bottle of Tsukushi Kuro (247 East 50th Street).
November 2013:
Shochu No Hi Nomi Hodai Party (Friday, November 1st 6pm-9pm at Aya). Last year’s Shochu No Hi (National Shochu Day in Japan) party was wiped out by Hurricane Sandy. This year we will lift our glasses at Shochu & Tapas Aya – a brand new shochu bar run by the amazing Aya Otake, the only certified shochu adviser in NYC (247 East 50th Street). $50 for 3 hours of unlimited drinking including some of the best shochus available in the US.
September 2013:
1ST ANNUAL SHOCHU TASTING CONTEST AT SAKAMAI! (Tuesday 9/17 – 7pm-10pm). Test your shochu skills against other contestants in the first ever SakaMai shochu tasting contest. $35 entry fee includes a complimentary glass of shochu upon contest completion (in consolation or celebration).
SHOCHU WEEKEND!
Walk-Around Shochu Tasting (Saturday, September 7th, 7pm-10pm). 10 distilleries, 32 shochu brands not currently available in the U.S., but slated for distribution. Come try them for the first time at the Trump SoHo Hotel 2nd Floor Mezzanine at Koi Restaurant (246 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013). Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 at the door (click for link).
Official Opening Party for the Japan Pavilion at the Holiday (booze) Buying Show (Sunday, September 8th, 8pm-10pm at APT-13 – 115 Avenue C). The same distilleries as Saturday night will be pouring their currently available products along with cocktails and food from Thomas Keller at APT-13. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door (click for link).
NOTE: $50 advance tickets for both events.
August 2013:
Mizu Tuesday @ SakaMai (Tuesday, August 27th 7pm-9pm). Jesse Falowitz of Mizunomai shochu will be demonstrating DIY cocktails using his high proof (35%) barley shochu. Stephen Lyman will be pouring on the rocks. $5/glass, as always.
Mizunomai at Iroha (all month long). Stephen now curates a shochu of the month at Iroha izakaya (49th & 7th Avenue, upstairs from Hagi). This month’s shochu is the new high proof barley shochu Mizunomai from Saga Prefecture (review coming soon).
Liquid Omakase, No. 2 (Friday, August 2nd 10pm to close). Guest bartender Raphael Reyes comes up with his own creations using Mizu No Mai mugi shochu. $35 with advance purchase or $40 at the door. $25 late night prefix menu also available: reservations required (email info@mizushochu.com).
July 2013:
SakaMai Night Market (Wednesday, July 31st 6:30pm-9:30pm). If you’ve ever been to an Asian Night Market you know what fun they can be. Japanese concept restaurant & sake lounge, SakaMai, is having their first night market inside the restaurant. Space is limited. $40 pre-sale (click link) or $48 at the door. Must purchase by 1:30pm Wednesday 7/31 to get the discounted price.
Shochu Tuesday Guest Bartender Seikai Ishizuka (July 23rd 7pm-9pm). Seikai Ishizuka, the first ever shochu tasting contest champion, will make his guest bartending debut pouring 3 of his favorite shochus for $5/glass at Sakamai (157 Ludlow).
June 2013:
Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (Tuesday, June 11th, 6pm-8pm). Our own Stephen Lyman will be pouring 3 selected $5 shochus for Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side.
Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (Tuesday, June 4th, 6pm-8pm). Our own Stephen Lyman will be pouring 3 selected $5 shochus for Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side.
May 2013:
Lucky Rice Grand Feast (Friday, May 3rd, 7pm-10pm, $150). Stephen will be pouring premium shochu in cooperation with Chizuko Niikawa of Sake Discoveries at the Mandarin Oriental with beautiful views overlooking Central Park at this Asian food and drink tasting event. Check the menu!
Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (Tuesday, May 7th, 6pm-8pm). Our own Stephen Lyman will be pouring 3 selected $5 shochus for Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side.
Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (Tuesday, May 21st, 6pm-8pm). Our own Stephen Lyman will be pouring 3 selected $5 shochus for Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side.
April 2013:
Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (Tuesday, April 30th, 6pm-8pm). Our own Stephen Lyman will be pouring 3 selected $5 shochus for Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side.
Shochu Tuesday at SakaMai (Tuesday, April 16th, 6pm-8pm). Our own Stephen Lyman will be pouring 3 selected $5 shochus for Happy Hour at SakaMai on the Lower East Side.
Kawabe at Iroha (all month). Our own Stephen Lyman is choosing the featured Shochu at Iroha Izakaya near Times Square. For April he chose Kawabe, an unpasteurized rice shochu, which Iroha is pouring for $56/bottle or $8/glass.
March 2013:
Kyoya Shochu Flight Night (Saturday, March 16th, 6pm-close). The president of Kyoya sweet potato shochu distillery will be pouring 3 of their products including the delicious Kappa No Sasoimizu at SakaMai in the Lower East Side in a $20 flight.
February 2013:
Free Shochu Tasting @ Landmark Wines (Tuesday, February 19th, 6-8pm). We will be tasting imo (sweet potato) shochus from Japan. RSVP facebook event page .
Yakitori & Shochu Class @ Tori Shin (Saturday, Date TBD) This is our monthly yakitori class with Chef Konon at Michelin-star rated Yakitori Tori Shin. Stephen Lyman will also teach you about shochu and provide a tasting of various brands.
January 2013:
Free Shochu Tasting @ Landmark Wines (Wednesday, January 16th, 6-8pm). We will be tasting festive kome (rice) shochus from Japan. RSVP facebook event page coming soon.
Yakitori & Shochu Class @ Tori Shin (Saturday, Date TBD) This is our monthly yakitori class with Chef Konon at Michelin-star rated Yakitori Tori Shin. Stephen Lyman will also teach you about shochu and provide a tasting of various brands.
December 2012:
Free Shochu Tasting @ Landmark Wines (Wednesday, December 5th, 7-9pm). We will be tasting festive “exotic” shochus from Japan. Please click link to RSVP on our facebook event page.
Virtual New Years Eve Izakaya Party (Monday, December 31st, globally) Please join our mobli #shochu, #izakaya, or #kampai channels on New Years Eve. Post pictures and videos from your iphone or android of your favorite izakayas or whatever New Years events are happening in your city. Let’s try to get as many time zones represented as possible. Kampai!
November 2012:
International Shochu Day (Thursday, November 1st) Sadly, we canceled Shochu No Hi plans due to Sandy.
Japanese Arts Matsuri (Friday November 9th to Sunday November 11th) Live music, performances, and comedy. Discounted tickets available in advance.
Shochu Tasting @ Landmark Wines (Wednesday, November 14th 6-8pm) Space will be limited so please RSVP using link. We will introduce 5 brands of barley (mugi) shochu in the first of a 12 part tasting series at Landmark, home of the best shochu selection in New York City.
Yakitori & Sake Tasting @ Tori Shin (Saturday, November 17th 12:30-3pm) Space is limited so please RSVP using link. Chef Kono-san will demonstrate how to make yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) while a selection of sake will also be available for sampling.
October 2012:
National Sake Day Tasting (New York) – October 1st, Monday 6-8pm. Sakaya on 9th Street between 1st & 2nd Avenues will be pouring complimentary sake to help celebrate National Sake Day. Join us!
Aki Matsuri (New York) – October 4th, Thursday 6:30-9:30pm @ Brooklyn Brewery. An annual fund raiser for the Gohan Society, this food festival brings together top chefs from around NY to wow diners with their creations. Brookyn
NY Street Ramen Contest (3rd Round) October 14th, Saturday on Broadway between 93rd & 94th Street. Try different ramen styles and vote for your favorite. Check their facebook page for more details coming soon.
Shochu Tasting @ Landmark Wines (Wednesday, October 24th 6-8pm) We introduced 4 styles of shochu in the first of a 12 part tasting series at Landmark, home of the best shochu selection in New York City.
September 2012:
Joy of Sake (New York) – The largest sake event in North America. More than 350 products to try along with food from a number of top NYC restaurants. $90/person.
Yakitori & Shochu Class (New York) – Saturday, September 22nd (12:30-3pm) at Tori Shin. Our own Stephen Lyman will be giving an introduction to shochu and the chef at Tori Shin will be teaching how to make yakitori. For $40 you can try 8 different skewers and two appetizers paired with unlimited shochu (sake & beer also available). A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
August 2012:
Yakitori & Sapporo Beer Tasting (New York) – Saturday, August 25th (12:30-3pm) at Tori Shin. Taking a break from shochu for a month, the chef at Tori Shin will be teaching how to make yakitori while pouring Sapporo beer. For $40 you can try 8 different skewers and two appetizers paired with unlimited beer. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
July 2012:
NY Street Ramen Contest (2nd Round) (New York) – Saturday, July 29th on Broadway in Astoria Try different ramen styles and vote for your favorite.
June 2012:
Yakitori & Shochu Class (New York) – Saturday, June 9th (12:30-3pm) at Tori Shin. Our own Stephen Lyman will be giving an introduction to shochu and the chef at Tori Shin will be teaching how to make yakitori. For $40 you can try 8 different skewers and two appetizers paired with unlimited shochu (sake & beer also available). A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
May 2012:
NY Street Ramen Contest (1st Round) (New York) – Saturday, May 20th on Park Avenue in Manhattan. Try different ramen styles and vote for your favorite.
April 2012:
Okinawamori – An Okinawan Food, Drink, & Music Festival (New York) – Monday April 23rd to Saturday April 28th. Come out to a variety of locations to try Okinawan food, drink Okinawan beer & Awamori, hear Okinawan music, or sing Okinawan songs! A little something for everyone.
Okinawa Karaoke! (New York) – Thursday April 26th (6pm-10pm) at Sing Sing Karaoke on St. Marks Street there will be singing, traditional Okinawan homestyle cooking, Awamori, and Orion Beer. $30-35 all inclusive.
CANCELED Yakitori & Shochu Class (New York) – Saturday, April 21st (12:30-3pm) at Tori Shin. This event has been CANCELED. Chef Kono will not be able to attend. We will reschedule for June. Apologies!
March 2012:
Yakitori & Shochu Class (New York) – Saturday, March 10th (12:30-3pm) at Tori Shin. Our own Stephen Lyman will be giving an introduction to shochu and the chef at Tori Shin will be teaching how to make yakitori. For $40 you can try 8 different skewers and two appetizers paired with unlimited shochu (sake & beer also available). A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Nurukan Hot Sake Tasting (New York) – Tuesday, March 13th-Thursday, March 15th (6pm-10pm) at 1 or 8. Try 5 hot sakes and oden plus special dishes during 1 or 8’s hot sake event. If you think of hot sake as cheap sake, think again.
February 2012:
Yakitori Class & Sake/Shochu Tasting (New York) – Saturday, February 11th (12:30-3pm) at Tori Shin. Our friend Yasushi Sakaki hosted this monthly event where you learn how to make yakitori and try 8 different skewers paired with sake or shochu.
Shochu Night Out (New York) – Sunday, February 12th (6-9pm) at 3 famous izakayas (Inakaya, Robataya, & Sakagura) met 5 shochu producers for a free tasting. Sake & Shochu expert, Chizuko Niikawa visited each location.
Shochu Experience (New York) – Monday, February 13th (6-8:30pm) at Astor Wines in Manhattan, 16 shochu producers offered complimentary tastings to the public. There was also an industry only event 2:30-5:30pm at the same location.
Shochu & Awamori Tasting Contest (New York) – The qualifying rounds were held at 16 restaurants around Manhattan and Brooklyn from Monday February 6th to Saturday February 11th. The top 3 contestants at each restaurant qualified for the finals.
Shochu & Awamori Tasting Contest Final Round (New York) – Wednesday, February 15th (7-9pm) at the Hotel Kitano. Qualifiers from the contest had a war of the taste buds until the champion was crowned – a native of Kyushu, traditional home of shochu.
January 2012:
Sake Shinnenkai (New York) – Saturday, January 21st (6-9pm). A sake and food pairing Lunar New Year party at Kasadela hosted by Sake Discoveries, sponsored by Hakkaisan Sake.
Kampai!