Classics with a garnish by Michito Kaneko

Michito Kaneko, laminitis of Lamp Bar, volition beryllium successful India for an exclusive barroom takeover astatine Akina and its Mumbai outpost. Ranked 46th connected Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, Lamp Bar is known for its menu-free cocktail doctrine rooted successful Japanese hospitality.

Michito, who won the World’s Best Bartender rubric astatine the Diageo Reserve World Class Cocktail Competition successful 2015, believes the cocktail satellite has evolved importantly since helium began, but his halfway doctrine remains unchanged. “The doctrine of Lamp Bar is craftsmanship. Both my parents are artists, and that inheritance led maine to incorporated elements of creation into each cocktail. This fusion of craftsmanship and creation defines what we do,” helium says.

Unlike accepted bars, Lamp Bar does not connection a fixed menu. Instead, Michito and his squad talk with each impermanent to recognize their preferences, temper and flavour inclinations earlier crafting a wholly bespoke cocktail. Each portion is conceived arsenic a personalised look of intuition, method and hospitality.

Speaking astir his ingredient-led attack for India, Michito says helium plans to enactment with Japanese elements specified arsenic hinoki and burdock. “I privation to usage these ingredients to make caller flavours. Our drinks are meant to beryllium a wholesome experience,” helium adds.

Before stepping down the bar, Michito worked arsenic a navigator and successful construction. It took 1 evening—and 1 drink—for his vocation way to shift. “It was a Moscow Mule that made maine see bartending,” helium recalls. “In Japan, classical cocktails are the astir popular, and each bartender spends years perfecting the process. If you are ever successful Japan, you should effort classics similar the whisky highball oregon gin fizz. Japan does classics best, and the garnishes are thing to look guardant to.”

Hitesh Keswani, Managing Director of Aspect Hospitality (Akina), adds, “Akina’s ethos is immersive, interactive dining—slowing down to bask the moment. This collaboration is arsenic overmuch astir taste speech and learning arsenic it is astir cocktails. Lamp Bar represents an planetary benchmark successful thoughtful hospitality and craftsmanship.”

Tracing his nonrecreational journey, Michito says, “After aboriginal roles astatine Bar Tender successful Wakayama and Bar Old Time astatine Fujita Hotel successful Nara, I opened Lamp Bar successful 2011. Following a Top 10 decorativeness astatine the Diageo World Class Japan contention successful 2014, I won the nationalist rubric successful 2015 and went connected to go the planetary champion successful Cape Town, South Africa, competing against implicit 50,000 bartenders. The assemblage recognised disciplined technique, calm precision and respect for omotenashi—Japanese hospitality. My squad and I inactive clasp connected to those values.”

On the taxable of ice, helium is precise. “Temperature is indispensable to bringing retired flavours and aromas, but that doesn’t mean loading a portion with ice. Not each cocktails request it. Balance is what matters most.”

As the spirits satellite fills with new-age mixologists, Michito prefers a simpler designation. “Bartender and mixologist mean astir the aforesaid thing,” helium says. “I inactive similar bartender.”

Michito volition beryllium astatine Akina successful Worli, Mumbai, Raheja Ascent February 20 8pm to 11pm

In Hyderabad connected February 21, 8pm to 11pm, Akina THE LOFT, Silpa Gram Craft Village, HITEC City, Hyderabad