Dokidoki merges Japanese and Latin culture in NY
Described as a love letter to the two very distinct and unique cultures, cocktail bar Dokidoki has opened in Brooklyn, New York.
The bar marks the first joint concept from A-K Hada and Christian ‘Suzu’ Suzuki-Orellana.
Suzuki-Orellana’s bar career so far has taken him through some of San Francisco’s best-regarded cocktail spots, as well as a semi-final outing in Netflix’s bartending competition show, Drink Masters, in 2022.
Hada, meanwhile, began bartending in New York. She went on to spend six years as head bartender at Please Don’t Tell (PDT) before assisting with the opening of PDT Hong Kong, and then assuming the general manager position at Existing Conditions in New York.
Over the last four years, she has served as Bacardi Rum’s North American ambassador, for which she received nominations for Best US Brand Ambassador at the Tales Spirited Awards in 2023 and 2024.
The concept showcases and taps into their Japanese and Latin backgrounds through drinks, music and hospitality.
The name Dokidoki references the Japanese onomatopoeia that describes the feeling of a fast-beating heart, which also nods to Latin music’s high energy. This is said to set the tone of the bar with an ‘experience rooted in music and good energy’ and warm Japanese hospitality.
The menu is built around low-ABV takes on classic cocktails with Japanese and Latin twists.
Suzuki-Orellana is said to have grown an appreciation for low-ABV cocktails when he was in San Francisco, where he loved the idea of a small wine bar with lower-proof drinks, bringing Japanese spirits such as shochu and sake into the experience at Dokidoki.
Some of the highlights on the menu include the Tropi Hai, which brings together Yanagita Mugi shochu, roasted barley tea, grapefruit, tamarind and cinnamon. The Shibuya Cafecito then features Iichiko and Aokage shochus, coffee, relajo tea, vanilla and whey, while the Ichiki Tini is made with Daiyame 24 shochu, vermouth, pineapple and lemon verbena.
There is also a rotating list of wines and sake, with non-alcoholic offerings available as well. This includes a Rosie Perez cocktail, made with Undone Blanc sparkling wine, mango, genmaicha, shishito pepper, and local Good Time Non Alcoholic Pils.
The drinks are complemented by dishes from consulting chef Daniel Maysonet, who incorporates Japanese techniques into Caribbean and Latin American flavours.
Dokidoki is located at 160 Havemeyer St. #S5, East Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
New York also welcomed a natural history museum-inspired bar this month, named The Museum Bar + Gift Shop.
For more new bars, see our roundup of the hottest cocktail destinations that opened over spring.
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