The hues are rich, the vibe is moody and the aesthetic leans firmly minimalist: if you hadn't just stepped inside from West End's Montague Road, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Tokyo. That's the atmosphere that +81 Aizome Bar is aiming for. Its main source of inspiration is Ginza in the Japanese capital, where there's no shortage of similar bars. +81 isn't just a watering hole, but also a restaurant; however, the tipples have arrived first, with the full kappo-style eatery set to open in February 2025. Brisbanites can consider this a preview of what's to come, right down to teaser dishes from the menu. That said, settling in at the intimate ten-seat Aizome Bar is an experience all of its own, and worth heading by for alone. Up and running since early December 2024 — operating from 5pm Tuesday–Saturday — Aizome Bar pours drinks from Mixologist Tony Huang. One way to feel like you're in Japan is to try something from the range of contemporary cocktails that are made using fresh fruit, but remain pared back like the bar itself, including skipping garnishes. There's also a selection 'neo cocktails' that take three–five days to craft, thanks to using freeze-integration techniques. And, in good news if you're not hitting the hard stuff, plenty of care has been devoted to alcohol-free options. Some of Huang's drinks skew classic and feature sake. Some make tea a key ingredient. If there's ice involved in your beverage of choice, it hails from Kanazawa in Japan. Patrons have Alexander Lotersztain to thank for the deep colours decking out the place — indigo features heavily — as well as the use of natural wood and leather accents. Find +81's Aizome Bar at 259 Montague Road, West End — open 5–10pm Tuesday–Wednesday and 5pm–12am Thursday–Saturday. Head to the venue's website for further details. Images: Florian Groehn and +81.