【FOCUS IT.]A new culture of non-alcoholic bars. But we will never be hostile to alcohol.

which serves only non-alcoholic drinks once a month.Bar StrawThe "Non-Alcoholic Drink" event is now being held at the new concept bar, which started in September. This new concept bar, which started in September with no fixed location, has been bustling with people every time since its launch. On this day, the bar was located in Kagurazaka.Seagull Books." , which also receives recognition for its superb lineup of books, was open for business on the store's regular closing days.

In general, it is a matter of course that bars have alcoholic drinks. In a world where "deepening communication" ≒ "inviting someone to go out for a drink" is also a matter of course, why do you dare to adopt the radical concept of non-alcoholic drinks?

From left to right: Yuki Imai, Tudoi , Machi Akasaka, manager, and Yu Katayama, Madobe

We interviewed the founders of "Bar Straw", Yuki Imai from Tudoi, Machi Akasaka, the store manager in charge of non-alcoholic drink development, and Yu Katayama from Madobe, who is in charge of planning and PR, about their thoughts on "non-alcoholic" and its rich possibilities. We asked them about their thoughts on "non-alcoholic" beverages and their rich possibilities.

. It's a cute sign with a nostalgic yet cute logo.

Bar Straw ( , hereafter referred to as Straw, regardless of the speaker):There were many candidates for the logo design, but we decided that the symbol of non-alcoholic beverages is a straw, and this is the design we came up with.

Do any of the three of you have a constitution that prevents you from drinking alcohol, or do you have a personal history?

Straw:We all like to drink. But there are definitely restaurants that have good food, but you have to drink to get in, or you have to be a drinker to get in. And then there are restaurants that are not so much alcohol harassment, but are more like "Beer for starters! (not quite alcohol harassment against those who can't drink, but "beer for now!"), which is like a kind of airy, invisible oppression. I hope that by offering new alternatives to such practices that are taken for granted, we can enrich the time of as many people as possible.

Orange Coffee Tonic (coffee with orange juice + tonic water)

Floral Oolong Ginger Ale (watered oolong tea + ginger syrup + tonic water)

Sencha pina colada (sencha tea + pineapple juice + coconut water)

These are the three types on this day. The menu changes depending on the day.

. To be honest, it is also difficult to ask someone out to dinner if you can't drink, isn't it?

Straw:I hope that there will be a variety of choices regardless of whether you can or cannot drink alcohol . I would like to make non-alcoholic drinks a positive thing, and I would like to make it a part of our culture.

Speaking of that kind of peer pressure regarding alcohol, how is it in the U.S., where you can say "no" to alcohol?

Straw:I did some research before starting this event, and I found that non-alcoholic beverages are becoming a part of the culture in both the U.S. and the U.K. . But I think it is a bit stoic. To give an example, there are people in the startup community in the U.S. who believe that it is better not to drink alcohol as a way to condition oneself for work. There are other aspects of health philosophy that are often mentioned in the same context as veganism. But we don't want to fall into this mindfulness value of non-alcoholic beverages. The most important thing is whether or not it tastes good. Rather than an ideology or a movement coming first, I think it would be more natural for a new culture to be created if there are more choices of tasty drinks that people want to drink in various scenes, and that is the future that we want to face.

The counter was originally created. . It is designed in an L-shape, resembling a straw, to make it easy for people to talk to each other.

It is also a challenge to have a bar in a bookstore with books on the shelves as they are today, isn't it?

Straw:I didn't expect it, but the power of a bookstore in town, or community, is something that many people stop by on a whim. The concept of this bar is to connect people with each other. I want people to come even if they are alone . . We hope that conversations will happen here by chance. . I think of the non-alcoholic beverages as an intermediary.

What do you mean?

Straw:. we are not in any way hostile to or in denial about alcohol. Nor am I trying to say that non-alcoholic beverages are the best. . We also like to drink and respect the rich history and culture of alcohol. We like alcohol and respect its rich history and culture. . But when you think about it, in terms of communication, non-alcoholic beverages should not be a hindrance.

I'm sorry to ask this, but are there any advantages to being non-alcoholic?

Straw:Yes, for example, it is possible to show up for a quick drink and then go back to work, as long as it is non-alcoholic. So, on the other hand, if you drink alcohol, you can switch to the other side and say that the time from there on is off time.

I see you don't have food at this venue.

Straw:Yes . Regarding food,installation lagomto the recommended restaurants and eateries around this restaurant. . The fun doesn't have to be complete only in this bar. Today, Seagull Books is located in Kagurazaka. . We want to enjoy this town ourselves, and we want our customers to enjoy it as well.

Do you have any plans for activities outside of this location in the future?

Straw:You have been approached to do business at a pizza parlor, to open an event at a bowling alley, and to do other catering. . Since it is non-alcoholic, we can do it even at highway service areas. I would like to do this even in remote areas that can only be reached by car, and since there are no restrictions with non-alcoholic beverages, I think there are many possibilities.

The next event will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019 at PIZZA SLICE & SODA FOUNTAIN in Roppongi , Japan. For more information, please see below.

Before I interviewed them, I thought it was a new business targeting young people who are said not to drink alcohol. Of course, it may have such potential, but it seemed to me that the starting point was the desire to "stop the division between alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages. I wonder where this new culture, with its sublime ideals, which is accessing the current social stagnation and problems, will end up in this age when it is said that young people do not drink alcohol. I am very curious. . And I wish it all the best on its course.

By the way, the three non-alcoholic drinks we received that day were a wonderful mix of various tastes in a coffee, oolong, and sencha base, with a lot of taste information. I highly recommend trying them at the event.