Saikindō Takes You For A Night-Out In Japan While Staying In Abu Dhabi
The newest bar in Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, Saikindō is definitely worth your time & palette
It’s a feeling quite indescribable to find oneself somewhere in Tokyo, lost in the best possible way, listening to incredible music and sipping on a cocktail that’s just the right combination of potency and presentation.
If you can, I'd wholeheartedly recommend a trip to Japan. But should you not be able to do so, Saikindō at the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi probably as close as it can get to a night out in the Japanese capital city.
There’s so much happening in the F&B world in Abu Dhabi, or in the entirety of the Middle East for that matter, that it’s hard for new bar to make an impression. Not Saikindō though – it makes quite an impression from the moment you step into the place. Think Japan’s famous listening bars presented in an authentic manner while also remaining extremely modern – it's a tough balance to accomplish but Saikindō does it with ease. Bars in luxurious hotels & properties tend to lean a bit on the ‘proper’ side; you’re always minding your step, rarely letting loose. Not in Saikindō though for the vibe here is a lot more relaxed, informal and inclusive – you're encouraged to let your hair down, relax and let the evening take its course.
A lot of it has to do with the place’s decor. Which is an incredible mix of acoustic details and embroidered wallpaper along with a biker edge. The bold patterns are hard to miss as is the dynamic sound-stage front and centre of the place. Saikindō aims to create a dialogue between sound, space and spirit as an homage to the Japanese philosophy of Omotenashi, the art of wholehearted hospitality, and the same is suggested through the interiors of the place, even before you’ve sat down with a drink.
Coming to drinks, now that’s where the real fun begins.
Music plays a big role here & Beverage Director Marco Corallo and Head Mixologist Ann Pinsuda, along with their team, have put together their debut cocktail menu that transforms music tempo and tone into serves using AI. How does this work, you’re wondering? Basically, they’ve fed each song from their curated playlist into a custom AI that pulls out pyscho-acoustic features such as frequency bands, tempo, key, etc., and then links them to human taste responses, converting them into a ‘flavour space’, then normalising them to output weighted percentages for the five basic tastes plus broader profiles such a fruity or smoky. The end result is what has allowed the mixologists to come with the final drinks in the menu. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about this technical process to just enjoy your drink!
Titled Aji No Hibiki, this menu features 12 signature creations, drawing from the bar’s curated playlist. You can go from early evening to late in the night and there’s a track and a drink to give you company. Each drink has been crafted from seasonal Japanese ingredients so with every sip, you’ll taste a little bit of the country’s culture and heritage. The physical menu definitely deserves a mention – it's presented in a double-sleeve vinyl, with six cocktails on each ‘side’, named after their musical counterpart. I’ve brought home with myself this collector’s item – though you won’t be allowed this luxury, unfortunately!
You must however find a moment to chat with Marco Corallo – he's got the most endearing smile and a demeanour that’s bound to win you over!
While every drink deserves a sip, a few certainly lingered on in my memory and on my palette. ‘A Lover's Holiday’ would perhaps be my most favourite drink on the menu – it's got cognac, Cointreau and champagne foam, and it tastes like that perfect holiday drink you can’t get enough of!
If you love whiskey cocktails, I’d also recommend ‘Am I Wrong’ - you’ll obviously be all kinds of right to order this one. I have a special place in my heart for wasabi and that alone was reason enough to love ‘Big Poppa’. There's also 'Forget Me Nots' that's ace worthy both in taste and presentation. My final favourite would, perhaps, be ‘Loungin’’ - I love a good Martini and this one hit all the right spots.
Naturally then, I’d urge you to check out Saikindō. Not only is it (or should be) the crown jewel of the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi’s amazing repertoire, but it’s also one of the Middle East’s most exciting new F&B places. A taste of Japan this side of the world? Now that’s certainly worth raising a toast, or should we say Kanpai?