Bar Sawa— Omakase & Japanese Cocktails

Bar Sawa is an eight-seat omakase counter hidden in the basement of the Kajima Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, where Edomae sushi tradition meets the craft of the Japanese cocktail bar. Recommended in the MICHELIN Guide, it is the night-bar sister to Sushi Kaneyoshi, located just steps away, and is operated by the team behind Sushi Kaneyoshi. The counter serves an Edomae-style omakase of roughly a dozen pieces of nigiri with an optional cocktail pairing, open Tuesday through Sunday, evenings until 9:30 PM at 111 San Pedro St, Los Angeles — at a more accessible price point than its sister sushi-ya. Japanese-inspired cocktails, highballs, and rare whiskies are built around the same ingredients found in the sushi itself, with thoughtful non-alcoholic pairings also available. Reservations are made through SevenRooms.

The Setting

The room sets the tone: a dark, intimate space lined with wood, black tile, and a glowing wall of rare whiskies, tucked away with no street signage. The atmosphere is closer to a sophisticated Tokyo cocktail lounge than a traditional sushi-ya — quiet, sultry, and built for a slow evening in Downtown Los Angeles.

The Omakase

At the counter, the chef serves an Edomae-style omakase of roughly a dozen pieces of nigiri alongside seasonal appetizers and dessert. Fish is sourced largely from Japan, and each piece is finished simply — a brush of nikiri, a touch of yuzu kosho or fresh ginger — so the seafood speaks for itself, with the occasional playful course to break the rhythm.

The Drink Program

What sets Bar Sawa apart is the drink program. Rather than treating beverages as an afterthought, the bar builds Japanese-inspired cocktails and highballs around the same ingredients found in the sushi itself. Guests may order à la carte or choose the cocktail pairing, coursed out alongside the meal. Many drinks are made with rare whiskies, gins, and vodkas, and thoughtful non-alcoholic options are available for those who prefer not to drink.