Now Open: Self-Serve Sake and Pour-Your-Own Cocktails Are on the Menu at New North Sydney Izakaya Miji Bar & Grill

If you're missing the cosiness of a genuine Japanese izakaya, the experience at North Sydney's Miji Bar & Grill goes toe-to-toe with the real thing. Of course, the fit-out looks the part with this Miller Street corner decked out with neon lights, signage imported from Japan and even a replica Shinjuku Arch. From a table perched alongside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the streets of Sydney might start to look a little more like Shibuya.

Yet guests can also expect the menu to go further than most when it comes to laid-back Japanese fare. Here, chargrilled dishes like rainbow trout with yuzu butter; grilled mackerel with ponzu sauce; and kanimiso okonomi appear alongside an entire section of the menu dedicated to various succulent skewers. Leading the kitchen is Jacob Lee, whose culinary journey has taken him to Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and Seoul.

"With Miji, we wanted to honour this authentic Japanese experience on a larger scale. To provide the same traditional food and flavours and drinks and experience but in a space where people from all walks can gather. Whether you're an office worker up late, a group of friends catching up, or a family looking for an exciting dinner experience," says Lee.

With the natural warmth of an izakaya making sure the mood is light and loud, Miji Bar & Grill has gone the extra mile to achieve the same atmosphere. As almost certainly the first Sydney restaurant to offer self-serve sake, a colourful Japanese drinks station welcomes guests to pour 24 wines, sakes and mocktails. Inspired by restaurants in Hong Kong and Beijing, Miji's help-yourself concept is one of few in the city alongside Newtown pioneer, Buddy's Bar.

As expected, self-poured drinks are a bit of an RSA minefield. So, how does it work? Diners grab a pre-paid membership card to tap, pay and pour. If that sounds like too much work, bartenders behind the glowing counter will happily take your order. A creative cocktail menu is especially alluring with in-house versions of slippers, daiquiris, gimlets and more. Try the Doraemon to sip apple sake and vodka mixed with blue curaçao, coconut and marshmallow.

"Every detail, the big and the small, matters at Miji. The lights and the bar and overall vibes all combine to tell a story – one of tradition but also one of fun," says Lee. "We're not afraid to make things our own and really want people to leave feeling like they've experienced something new and exciting."

Miji Bar & Grill is open Monday–Sunday from 11.30am–10.00pm at T25/100 Miller St, North Sydney. Head to the website for more information.

Published on February 13, 2025 by Hudson Brown

Now Open: Self-Serve Sake and Pour-Your-Own Cocktails Are on the Menu at New North Sydney Izakaya Miji Bar & Grill