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Ramen Tatsu-Ya’s Opening a Tiki Bar

Tiki Tatsu-ya is taking over Backbeat’s old space on South Lamar

The cocktails at Kemuri Tatsu-ya
The cocktails at Kemuri Tatsu-ya
Kemuri Tatsu-ya/Facebook
Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

Ramen Tatsu-ya is opening a tiki cocktail bar, which will take over its next-door neighbor, the shuttered Backbeat space on 1300 South Lamar Boulevard. On deck at Tiki Tatsu-ya will be tiki cocktails, both classic and new drinks, as well as a menu reflective of tiki culture. It’s set to open later this year.

“My travels and explorations into tiki culture revealed the deep mixing of Asian and Japanese influences, co-owner and co-chef Tatsu Aikawa explained the idea behind the cocktail bar in a release. “We want to maintain the authenticity of tiki culture but with a Tatsu-Ya take on it.”

Tiki Tatsu-ya’s beverage program will be overseen by Aaron Reed, who used to work at Volstead and Hotel Vegas. He will be helped with the restaurants’ beverage director Michael Phillips and Tatsu-ya’s sake and shochu sommelier Bryan Masamitsu Parsons.

The Tatsu-ya team originally wanted to open a tiki bar back in 2014, pitched by director of operations Shion Aikawa. It was going to be be found at what is currently Mission Dogs location on East Cesar Chavez, but the plan never came to fruition.

Aikawa and co-owner/chef Takuya Matsumoto run three locations of Ramen Tatsu-ya, including one in Houston, with a fourth to come on East 6th Street. There’s an unknown project also set for Burnet Road. They also run Texas Japanese izakaya Kemuri Tatsu-ya on East 2nd Street.

It’s happening! An idea years in the making is finally becoming a reality. We’re so excited to officially announce our newest concept @tikitatsu_ya opening right next door to @ramentatsu_ya South Lamar later this year. . “My travels and explorations into Tiki culture revealed the deep mixing of Asian and Japanese influences brought to Hawaii through immigration, which contributed to the overall flavors of the islands. We want to maintain the authenticity of Tiki culture but with a Tatsu-Ya take on it,” - @tatsu512. . The bar will feature funky interpretations of classic Tiki drinks plus new creations, often with a Japanese sensibility. We also plan to serve our take on Tiki cuisine. The beverage program will be helmed by longtime Tiki aficionado Aaron Reed (@aaronthereed), previously of Volstead/Hotel Vegas. Michael Phillips (@hotsauce.savant), Tatsu-Ya Family’s beverage director, and Bryan Masamitsu Parsons (@samuraisomm), Tatsu-Ya Family’s sake and shochu sommelier, will work with Aaron, @tatsu512, and @shionaikawa, to perfect the beverage program. . We’re working with our homies at @mccrayandco to transform the space into a paradise of escapism in the heart of South Austin. . We can’t wait to share it with you. . . . . . #tikitatsuya #tatsuyafamily #ramentatsuya #kemuritatsuya #tiki #tikicocktails #tikibar #tikidrinks #tikiaustin #austin360drinks #austintx #texastiki #tikitiki #tikiroom #tikicocktail #tikioasis #tikiparadise

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Ramen Tatsu-ya [Research Boulevard]

8557 Research Blvd, #126, Austin, TX 78758 (512) 834-8810 Visit Website

Tiki Tatsu-Ya

1300 South Lamar Boulevard, , TX 78704 (512) 772-3700 Visit Website

Ramen Tatsu-Ya [South Lamar]

1234 South Lamar Boulevard, , TX 78704 (512) 893-5561 Visit Website