The team behind The Waratah, Cynthia Litster and Evan Stroeve are set to open their second venue, Sakura House, in late 2025. The late-night basement bar will be located in Sydney’s CBD and will operate under a 4am licence.
Sakura House takes inspiration from Japan’s izakaya culture, with a focus on cocktails, small plates, and live music.
The drinks program will centre on Japanese classics, including four variations of the Lemon Sour, led by the tapped Sakura Sour, which features Haku Vodka, Yuzu, lemon, and bubbles. A rotating list of whisky highballs will also be available, including the Nikka Highball, made with blended whiskies, soda, Hinoki and Sugi woods, golden raisins, nutmeg, cacao, and coffee.
Seasonal classic cocktails will be built on small-scale Japanese supply chains. The Dirty Margini Martini combines Haku Vodka, Nikka Coffey Gin, sake-based dry vermouth, sakura blossom, and Umeno white plum vinegar, while the Takumi section will highlight Japanese artisans, including the Satoru Segi, using Yamatoumi Gin – a rare spirit with only 200 bottles produced at a time – paired with Mishima Honey, red rice, genmaishu, and chamomile.
The Chawari section will feature regional Japanese teas, distilled or transformed into alcoholic base spirits. The opening list includes Akemi Ishimoto’s Tokushima Kancha Tea, her final harvest after decades preserving the tradition.
Non-alcoholic offerings include a kombucha and amazake program, starting with Sahime Kombucha, made with native botanicals and sake lees. The drinks list will also feature a rotating sake and beer program, alongside a 50-bottle wine list curated by Harriot Berry.
The kitchen, led by Head Chef Nick Sherman (ex-Cho Cho San), will focus on small plates designed to pair with drinks and encourage sharing. The menu draws inspiration from Japanese street food while incorporating a seasonal Sydney perspective.
Sakura House will be positioned as a new home for late-night hospitality, offering drinks, food, and live music well into the night. With the team’s first venue, The Waratah, recently taking home Pub of the Year at the Australian Bar Awards, expectations are high for another standout venue.