Whisky Highballs And Irish Coffees: A New Luxe Bar Just Launched And Tetsuya’s On The Menu

Sydney’s bar scene just scored a sleek new contender from one of Japan's most iconic spirit and whisky houses, for a limited time only. 

From Friday, 8 August until Saturday, 8 November, Suntory Bar is taking over Whisky Thief at Prefecture 48—Sydney’s first and only Japanese culture and dining precinct.

Suntory Bar deep dives into the brand’s 126 years of drinks mastery, showcasing a refined lineup of Japanese-inspired cocktails, RTD favourites and The Premium Malt's beer from its star-studded portfolio, alongside international chef and bartender takeovers featuring an exclusive Tetsuya snack crafted to pair perfectly with a refreshing Haksuku Highball. 

Signature Serves And Experimental Sippers

Several of Suntory’s signature serves are on the cards, including a ginger-spiked, botanical Roku G&T, an 80s-style Japanese Slipper starring Suntory’s Midori melon liqueur, and a smooth Haku Vodka Martini distilled from Japanese hakumai white rice and filtered through bamboo charcoal.

But the hero on the drinks menu has to be from the highball department, a Japanese crowd fave. Suntory’s refreshing Hakushu Highball, made with crisp Hakushu Distiller’s Reserve whisky, soda and fresh mint. The Hakushu whisky hails from Suntory’s Mt. Kaikomagatake distillery—one of the highest distilleries in the world—tucked deep within the forested slopes of the Japanese Southern Alps.

There’s also a strong roster of innovative cocktails crafted in collaboration with Prefecture 48, including Hibiki Harmony’s twist on an affogato, a chocolatey Kyoho Manhattan with a Sichuan pepper tincture, and an Old Fashioned inspired by Japan’s famous Tokyo Banana treats, using Maker's Mark, Hinoki Bitters and miso for an umami kick. 

Whisky flights are also on offer to experience Suntory’s top-shelf pours, along with The Premium Malt’s Beer and Suntory’s RTDs, like the Minus 196 range, Jim Beam & Cola, and the classic Canadian Club range.

Dynamic Takeovers And Tetsuya Snacks

Suntory Bar will also host a dynamic rotation of international guest chefs and bartenders over the three months, providing a rare window into the minds and menus of some of the world’s top culinary talent. 

To complement the hero Hakushu Highball, Suntory Bar has created an exclusive snack pairing with legendary chef Tetsuya Wakuda and Derek Kim—a former Tetsuya’s chef who now leads the kitchen at Garaku—Prefecture 48’s flagship kaiseki restaurant. 

And because more snacks are always welcome, Prefecture 48 is also dishing up the likes of comté custard tarts, fried jumbo quail with shichimi-spiked aioli and a wagyu hambagu burger served with cheese sauce and patatas fritas. In other words, you''ll want to come hungry. 

This exciting collaboration is the first chance for fans to taste Tetsuya’s cooking since the closure of his eponymous Sydney CBD restaurant, and it's only on the menu until November. 

Don’t miss this limited-time residency—Suntory Bar is the perfect place to slip into before dinner at Prefecture 48, linger for knock-offs, or swing by for a nightcap.

THE DETAILS

What: Suntory Bar
Where: Whisky Thief, Prefecture 48, 230 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD
When: Friday 8 August–Saturday 8 November, 2025
Time: Tuesday-Thursday from 5pm-11pm, Friday-Saturday from 5pm-midnight

For more on this epic new bar and why you need to head to P48 for your next sipping session, visit here. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Suntory and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Suntory Bar.