ABOUT
SG Group is a bar management company that operates several award-winning bars in Shanghai and Tokyo. With our founder Shingo Gokan at the helm, we continue to explore new horizons in the art of mixology.
“Sip & Guzzle” — The two contrasting drinking styles represent our mission to create a comfortable space for all guests. Whether you are rewarding yourself with a luxurious cocktail, or enjoying a toast with friends, we promise a stimulating cocktail experience.
SHINGO GOKAN
Founder and representative of SG Group, Shingo Gokan is recognized as one of the leading figures in the international bartending industry.
Starting with placing as global champion at the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition in 2012, Gokan has earned numerous prestigious titles, including International Bartender of the Year at Tales of The Cocktail 2017, which has been described as the bar industry’s equivalent to the Oscars.
Recent acknowledgements include being awarded Altos Bartender’s Bartender in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019, and Roku Industry Icon in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021, which has made Gokan the first individual to receive these two awards.
Bar World 100 has recognized Gokan as one of the industry’s most influential figures in 2021, placing him in the top 4 individuals in the world.
Escape into a Secret Utopia of Cocktails
Veiled among the elegant boulevards of Shanghai’s former French Concession district, a modern-day speakeasy awaits your visit. Enter a hidden entrance located inside bar tool boutique OCHO to escape the turbulence of the city.
With a vibrant and convivial atmosphere, the second-floor bar is a glistening spot of late-night lore. Enjoy the stimulating selection of cocktails created behind the polished copper-top bar.
Indulge in the opulent ambiance of the third floor, where tradition and innovation coalesce. Savor the moment with time-honored classics and original recipes using carefully selected Japanese whiskey and exclusive craft spirits.
The World’s 50 Best Bars - No.10 (2017) / Asia’s 50 Best Bars - No.2 (2017)
COME SOBER, LEAVE TIPSY.
A place to encounter diverse cocktail culture.
Revel in the revival of “Sober Company” within the vibrant heart of FuXing Park, Shanghai's pulsating epicenter of pop culture. Here, we keep the magic alive with a concept that interweaves a myriad of scenes, all with a fresh twist of Japanese flair.
Immerse yourself in our reimagined space, featuring three unique areas: KISSA, IZAKAYA, and SAKABA, each unveiling a journey from Sober to Tipsy, intertwined with the captivating essence of Japanese drinking culture.
“It’s not just a Night Out. It’s an Adult Wonderland Adventure”
The new Sober Company spans two floors, making it the largest establishment within the SG Group.
Welcoming guests at the entrance is the “Sober Kissa,” a café bar that pays homage to the charm of old-school kissaten (coffee shops).
Next, saunter over to the “Sober Izakaya,” where a U-shaped counter invites guests to indulge in hand-rolled sushi featuring global cuisines and ingredients. As the night unfolds, witness its transformation into a dynamic high-volume bar, accompanied by the beats of a skilled DJ.
Ascend to the spacious second floor, where “Sober Sakaba” awaits with signature cocktails inspired by diverse regions of Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Savor bar food meticulously crafted under the supervision of Chef Fumio Yonezawa of No Code, all within a setting that exudes sophistication and tranquility.
The World’s 50 Best Bars - No.42 (2020) / Asia’s 50 Best Bars No.5 (2021)
Tales of the Cocktail - Best International Restaurant Bar (2020)
A FINE PLACE TO SIP OR GUZZLE
Inspired by the first official journey made by the Japanese to the United States in 1860, The SG Club offers a unique blend of influences reminiscent of the era when cocktail culture was reaching its first golden age. Divided into two floors known as Sip and Guzzle, carefully crafted cocktails are curated to represent the contrasting drinking styles.
Guzzle, located on the ground floor, offers an upbeat and warm atmosphere with a vintage west coast feel. The cocktail list consists of approachable cocktails, as well as an abundant selection of mocktails and take away cocktails.
Downstairs awaits Sip, a basement haven hinting at an old New York gang club with samurai inspirations. Many cocktails here draw from the unique flavor combinations one finds at fine dining restaurants. A professional shoeshine is available as guests enjoy their cocktails.
Tucked away on the second floor is Savor, a membership cigar and cocktail lounge founded on the blend of Cuban and Japanese sensibilities. Japanese details integrated masterfully with Caribbean aesthetics, guests enjoy cocktails tailored perfectly to each cigar.
The World’s 50 Best Bars - No.10 (2020) / Asia’s 50 Best Bars - No.3 (2021)
The Best Bar in Japan (2020, 2021)
SHINGO GOKAN x STEVE SCHNEIDER
As Gokan’s first collaboration project, he welcomes Steve Schneider, former principal bartender of New York’s Employees Only NYC. Escape to a stimulating world of the eponymous odd couple’s contrasting yet complementary bartending approaches.
The Future - Imagined in the 1980s
Produced by the dynamic duo providentially both born in 1983, The Odd Couple brings life the image of a bar in the future envisioned in the 1980s. Amidst the explosion of fluorescent lights and infectious energy, enjoy the retro-futuristic atmosphere with palatable cocktails designed by the two masterminds.
IZAKAYA meets BAR
Illustrious for innovative cocktail bars, the SG group challenges to amalgamate cocktail bars and the famous Japanese “Izakaya” that were once thought to be mutually exclusive. Taking inspiration from the street culture in New York’s Lower East Side and Tokyo’s Shibuya district, SG LOW offers a playful interpretation of the traditional casual bar-restaurants.
A COCKTAIL IZAKAYA
Placing emphasis on both food and drinks, SG LOW is perfect for casual drinks with friends and small gatherings. Guests can enjoy drinks ranging from a seemingly endless list of lemon sours to a curated list of classic twists, and highballs featuring The SG Shochu, with a rich variety of Japanese Izakaya food favorites served with an iconic SG-style twist.
Ryukyu & Latin America
An Intersection of Distant Cultures
“Lequio” was how the seafaring Spanish and Portuguese referred to the Ryukyu Kingdom during the Age of Discovery.
This island, presently known as Okinawa, is ripe with cultural convergences not found anywhere else in Japan...
Exploring the curious relationship between the Ryuku and Latin American cultures, El Lequio epitomizes Okinawa’s unique cultural fusion in a cocktail bar.
Walking into the bar, guests are greeted by El Lequio’s signature painting of a dream-like whale, storied to swim among the seas of Ryukyu and Latin America.
The 18-seat bar is set in Latin American aesthetics, with Okinawan bingata textiles decorating the walls and a striking lounge section covered in tango red.
El Lequio is an expression of a cocktail bar made possible only here in Okinawa.
Ryukyu-Inspired
Nikkei-Latino
The two pillars of the cocktail menu are also distinctive features of El Lequio.
Taking advantage of fresh local ingredients, the Ryukyu-Inspired category explores twists on classic cocktails with a nod to familiar Okinawan flavors.
Meanwhile, the Nikkei-Latino category digs into cocktails with their roots in Latin America, updated through the lens of modern Okinawa.
El Lequio brings together the convergence of cultures, flavors, and stories across oceans into a one and only cocktail experience.
Coffee’s Infinite Potential zero-waste cafe & bar
æ (“ash”)—with a logo expressing coffee’s infinite potential—represents SG Group’s decisive step into the pursuit of zero-waste in both coffee and cocktail.
Working with Taka Ishitani, one of Japan’s most respected baristas, æ explores the possibilities of coffee and cocktail both during the day as a coffee shop, and in the evenings as a cocktail bar.
æ's operations are based on zero-waste principles. Through going paperless, avoiding disposable products, recycling, and upcycling ingredients, trash is reduced to an absolute minimum. Meanwhile, collaborative projects across industries shed light on brand new ways to explore resources creatively.
Coffee ?
or
Martiniæ?
Coffee, the key to all drinks, is an original blend designed by barista Takayuki Ishitani, who carefully selects the finest beans from across the globe. This signature blend comes in two profiles - a deep roast and a light roast - each meticulously crafted to achieve distinct flavor goals and roasted to perfection in a specialized roastery.
æ's coffee cocktails, led by the iconic Espresso Martini, showcase the versatility of these bespoke blends. From classic favorites to innovative twists, each drink harnesses the bold bitterness of the dark roast or the fruity notes of the light roast.
The "Caffeine-Free" and "Sugar-Free" series also feature a wide lineup of non-coffee cocktails. As an æ initiative, we are upcycling previously discarded ingredients such as extracted herbs, spices, and fruits by shedding new light on them from a different angle, creating drinks that once again draw out fresh flavors.
![æ[ash]メニュー](/image/sg-ash-menu01-b.jpg)
![æ[ash]メニュー](/image/sg-ash-menu02-b.jpg)
![æ[ash]メニュー](/image/sg-ash-menu03-b.jpg?202211)
![æ[ash]メニュー](/image/sg-ash-menu04-b.jpg)
The Collaboration between Bartender and
Sommelier Transforms the World of Wine Cocktails
Born in the Former French Concession in Shanghai, "Swirl" carries on the concept of Shibuya’s "swrl."
Inspired by the gentle art of wine tasting, Swirl is a groundbreaking cocktail bar unlike any other. Here, we're rewriting the rules of wine cocktails, crafting an experience that's truly one-of-a-kind.
Each drink, created by pairing wine with cocktails using the techniques of food pairing, combines layers of fresh ingredients in cocktails perfectly complemented by the distinct character of fine wines, creating flavor profiles you've never encountered before.
This extraordinary fusion is born from the collaboration between world-class bartenders and sommeliers, promising an adventure for your senses that defies expectation.
No Shake, No Stir, Just Swirl.
The new Swirl is located in Shanghai’s Former French Concession, a place where history and modernity blend seamlessly. The stylish townhouse, adjacent to Speak Low, offers a cozy atmosphere with jade tiles and the warmth of wood.
To elevate your wine cocktail experience, we've partnered with Chef Fumio Yonezawa, the first Japanese sous chef at the two-Michelin-starred Jean-Georges New York. Renowned as a specialist in both meat and vegan cuisines, Chef Yonezawa's menu promises to complement our cocktails perfectly, ensuring a dining experience that lingers in your memory long after the last sip.
From Satsuma to Britain
A Modern Tavern where Diverse Worlds Intersect
In 1865, while Japan was still in its period of isolation, there were young samurai who secretly set out for Britain to pave the way for Japan's future. Later known as the Satsuma Students, their journey inspired this restaurant bar, which expresses the diverse cultures connecting Japan to the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean through cocktails and cuisine.
“NARISAWA”
Supervised by Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa
Hong Kong, Penang, Singapore, Bombay, Malta, and the final destination: London. "The SG Tavern," derived from an old term for pubs serving food in Britain, is a modern tavern weaving together the drinks and cuisine from the samurai's route with elements of their home country, Japan. The signature menu is supervised by two Michelin-starred restaurant "NARISAWA" Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa.
The classic atmosphere reminiscent of taverns from that era. Located on Marunouchi Naka-dori, a street at the forefront of Japan's modernization, the interior offers views of the street trees, creating a space with Marunouchi's characteristic sophistication. The venue can be enjoyed in various styles - at tables, the counter, or casually standing - depending on the occasion, with semi-private booth seating also available.
COMPANY
SG Management Inc.
| Head Quarter | 1-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo 150041 Japan |
|---|---|
| Office | 4F Jinnan Building, 1-3-4 Jinnan, Shibuya, Tokyo |
| TEL | +81-3-6455-2630 |
| President | Satoshi Katsuyama |
| Directors | Shingo Gokan Katsuo Matsunaga Zhang Jie Atsushi Suzuki Marin Tsuchiya |
| SG Group | Sip and Guzzle Holdings Co.,Ltd (Tokyo) Fivesenses Inc. (Tokyo) Speak Low Inc. (Tokyo) Esjien Inc. (Tokyo) Shanghai Hou Gan Food and Beverage Management Co.,Ltd (Shanghai) SG Management LLC. (New York) The SG Shochu (Liquor Brand) KOKUTO DE LEQUIO（Liquor Brand） SIP AND GUZZLE（Glassware Brand） |