Amber Guest: Anton Kishta at Amber Bar

An erudite and charming historian, educator, and one of the most decorated bartenders on the Baltic. And four cocktails inspired by Japanese legends. Matsu Izakaya&Roku bar is a project by the creators of Kaliningrad's trendy Salt and Seasons. A genuine Japanese house, under whose roof a restaurant neighbors a patisserie and a bar, united not just by space but by a shared philosophy. In this original interpretation, Japanese traditions appear in a blend of styles, cultures, and flavors. And the cocktails, telling their own stories, help you sink into them. Geisha Martini — a twist on the pornstar martini with a drop of baijiu and a yuzu base — in the spirit of the Japanese hospitality philosophy of omotenashi, joins what is perhaps Kaliningrad, Moscow, and St. Petersburg's most popular cocktail with the traditional flavors of Japan. The famous tradition of admiring cherry blossoms comes through in the mix of the same name, a combination of cordial on cherry leaves, water infused with jasmine, rose, and bird cherry blossoms, vermouth on blood oranges, and sparkling wine. As Anton pours it, he'll tell the legend of Sakura, the ancient Japanese goddess who protects people during battle. And the next tale — about the yokai Leshy and other spirits of national folklore — unfolds in the cocktail Zashiki Warashi, a bold and spicy union of Scotch whisky aged in Japanese oak barrels with red wine, bitters, and pepper. And Totoro will tell the story of Miyazaki's beloved character in a strong, sweet whisky with notes of mushroom, nuts, and dark chocolate. We'll start warming up by Amber's hearth like the household spirits Zashiki Warashi and listening to the charming bartender's tales at 22:00, slowly creeping into Sunday.

Tsvetnoy Blvd., 2. Entrance behind the amber column
+7 (495) 385-88-88