Small Bar, Big Personality

Tucked down a quiet laneway, Bar Selecta channels the charm of a 1950s Tokyo kissaten. Ten seats line the main bar, where guests can practically hold hands with the DJ, and every pour feels personal. Behind the cosy fit-out is a serious lineup of talent: bartender Joey Tai, saké sommelier Masaki Hisaike, The Elysian’s Kelvin Low, Golden Monkey’s Adam Ong, and creative duo Michael and Eleena Tan from Brand Works.

Drinks With Character

Here, cocktails get playful without losing their craft. Take the Sailor Moon Gimlet - Japanese gin, cherry blossom cordial, pickled melon and pineapple-yuzu bitters balanced with a touch of Midori. It’s nostalgic, vibrant and pure fun, made even better when paired with the bar’s vinyl soundtrack.

Sake, Spirits and Sound

The saké list reads like a tour through Japan’s finest breweries: sparkly and cloudy, dry and savoury, fruit-forward or umami-rich. Every bottle tells its own story, and the team will happily guide you through it. Whisky and spirit tastings also rotate regularly, each designed to complement the night’s soundscape.

The Listening Room

Music is more than background noise here. Curated vinyl spins throughout the evening, creating a rhythm that shapes the room’s mood — relaxed, immersive, and effortlessly cool. It’s the kind of space where conversation hums softly under the needle’s crackle.

Hawthorn’s Hidden Escape

Beyond the ten-seat bar lies a snug 25-person lounge and a dog-friendly outdoor nook accessed through the laneway. It’s a local’s secret that feels worlds away, a pocket of Tokyo calm and Melbourne edge in perfect harmony.