The Gold Coast is no stranger to breweries, thanks to its ideal beer-sipping climate and beachside location. But one thing we haven’t seen before? A Japanese alley-inspired brewery with a dedicated sake bar and electronic darts room.
Nestled in Miami, the brewery capital of the Gold Coast, an eye-catching red neon sign atop a black-washed venue shines out like a beacon for thirsty patrons. And patrons thirsty for a funky, neon-soaked Japanese brewery with a seriously impressive lineup of brews are in luck. Meet Roji Cat.
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Loosely translating to ‘Alley Cat’, Roji Cat takes inspiration from the narrow alleyways of Shibuya and Shinjuku, known for their colourful izakayas and bustling bars. The Lee family, who founded Roji Cat, fell in love with Japan’s eclectic energy and were eager to bring a touch to the Gold Coast.
Venture inside the moody, black-hued venue and the first thing that catches your eye is the Shinjuku-esque neon dining signs that hang from above, transporting you to the bustling streets of Tokyo. Red and white paper lanterns also delicately dangle, perhaps a subtle reflection of the dichotomies in Japanese culture.
Look a little closer and you’ll notice the artfully curated details that mark Roji Cat out as a one-of-a-kind venue; the bar with a red milk crate front facade commands prime position, old-school Japanese arcade posters line the walls, and clusters of high-top and seated tables fill the space. Peek into the tucked-away electronic darts room, which we anticipate will be in high demand, enticing you to spend many an evening here with a brew in hand.
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Speaking of brews, it would be remiss of us not to mention the noteworthy onsite brewery. With esteemed Japanese brewer Satoshi Tamura at the helm, Roji Cat will have an impressive 11 house brews on tap—five of which will frequently rotate as Satoshi experiments with new flavours and brewing techniques.
The signature Japanese rice lager might be our top pick for the brew of the summer, closely followed by a unique black lager. And if beer just isn’t your thing, Roji Cat boasts a dedicated sake bar—a rarity on the Gold Coast—with 24 sakes hand-picked by brew master Satoshi. Traditional hot sake, sake tasting paddles, bottles of sake for that special occasion and just about every form of sake is stocked here. Satoshi tells us his favourite is the ‘Naotora Namahenshu Junmai Ginjo’, which is unprocessed and slightly sweet, pairing perfectly with ceviche.
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The succinct cocktail menu stars five signature Japanese-inspired cocktails, including the standout yuzu chilli margarita with a yuzu honey sauce and the dragon fruit lychee martini, which tastes just like summer in a glass.
On the food front, start small at the raw bar with a selection of sashimi or salmon and kingfish ceviche with wonton crisps. Warm your palate with small plates like charred corn with miso butter and lime, classic gyoza and Roji Cat Chicken, an addictive deep-fried marinated chicken with sweet and sour hot sauce and mayonnaise.
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Roji Cat knows not to change a good thing that has been perfected over centuries, and this ethos is showcased over the robata grill, where traditional Japanese yakitori takes centre stage. They’ve also added local twists, such as an iconic Gold Coast staple—a bug burger with tempura Moreton Bay bug, baby gem lettuce, gochujang and kewpie mayonnaise.
Rumour has it that a private karaoke room will be opening in the coming months… Roji Cat is slated to open Friday 6 September, so consider this your sign to pull up a seat at the Gold Coast’s hottest new brewery.
THE DETAILS
Where: 47 Lemana Lane, Miami 4220
When: Open 4pm to 10pm, Thursday and Friday
Open 12pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday
For more information, click here.
Main image credit: Two Birds Social | Supplied