Overview
Even if you can't afford a plane ticket to Tokyo at the moment, (including a super cheap one with a five-hour stopover in Cairns that seats you so near the toilet you can develop flush-induced tinnitus for days afterwards), you can still get a taste of how the Japanese drink and dine at the Harajuku Nights pop-up launching Friday. As part of the ongoing ArgyleXchange Festival, Sake Restaurant and Bar will be temporarily taken over by DJs, Harajuku girls serving izakaya dishes, 20 different shochu-based cocktails and a "wasabi roulette" created by executive chef Shaun Presland.
An izakaya is a kind of casual, after-work watering hole where you also eat food, usually at a pretty slow pace spread out over a few hours. Oh and for those who haven't sampled it, shochu is a traditional Japanese distilled spirit. So basically, you're in for yummy snacks, tasty drinks, fun costumes and a potentially explosive experience with wasabi. Sounds like a good way to start the weekend. And entry is free!
This is just one of the events going on as part of the festival. For a full listing of events and special offers check out the official website.