Bartender Tomoaki Nakamura runs three bars in the centre of Naha, Okinawa: 'Ryukyu Mixology Style Bar Alchemist', 'Ryukyu Drink LABO' and 'Ryukyu Drink Laboratory Harurenohi'. In the first part, we opened the door to Bar Alchemist, which is based on the concept of 'Okinawan ingredients x mixology'!

writer：Drink Planet　撮影：norico

Go to Okinawa's first mixology bar.

Ryukyu Mixology Style Bar Alchemist, opened by Tomoaki Nakamura in August 2018, is located in an area called Kumoji, about 200m back from Kokusai Street, the main street in Naha.

It is within walking distance of Kencho-mae and Miebashi Stations on the Yui Rail Line, and there are business hotels and office buildings in the neighbourhood.

The area is not overly touristy, but has a good mix of tourists and locals, and can be said to be a calm area with a relatively high customer spend.

When you open the door to Bar Alchemist, you are greeted by a striking blue-green wall behind an atmospheric distillation machine and countless dried flowers and dried herbs hanging from the ceiling.

The atmosphere is chic and sophisticated, a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Kokusai Dori.

When I was a little nervous, Nakamura-san welcomed me with a carefree, boyish smile, as if to ease my nerves.