Tonight — Reservations

The book for the eleventh

  • 19:00 Mr. Saitou corner stool, the usual — Yamazaki 12, no ice, a single drop of water ×1
  • 19:30 Hara & guest the low table by the records; she takes a Hakushū highball, he is undecided ×2
  • 20:30 Ms. Endō first visit — referred by the tailor on the fourth floor; start her gentle, a Bamboo ×1
  • 21:45 Komatsu-sensei always after the last lecture; Negroni, stirred long, the old vermouth ×1
  • 23:00 held — no name the regular who never books but always comes; keep the end of the counter clear ×1
Stock — Spirits at hand

Behind the counter

  • Yamazaki 12yr3
  • Hakushū Distiller's2
  • Nikka from the Barrel5
  • Tanqueray No. Ten4
  • Campari2
  • Carpano Antica1
  • Noilly Prat dry2
  • Rémy Martin VSOP3
  • Lillet Blanc1
  • Angostura6
  • Luxardo cherries1
  • ice — Kuramoto block8

last delivery: the seventh · next: the fourteenth

Today's Flower

By the register

A single white daisy — hinagiku — in the small brass cup. The florist on Namiki-dōri sends one stem each morning; tonight it leans toward the door, as if listening for the first knock.

Now Playing

The next room

Lady in Satin

Billie Holiday — side A, the third track, where the needle catches

At the Door

Outside

9°C · a thin rain that stops before midnight · the awnings on Suzuran-dōri dripping · umbrellas welcome in the brass stand

Hours Until Close 06

the unmarked door locks at four · last pour at half past three · the record will be on its second rotation by then

The Evening So Far

Transcript of the night

18:02 — doors. The bartender wipes the counter once more than necessary.
18:40 — first guest, unbooked: a salaryman who only wanted somewhere quiet. Soda water, then a Highball.
19:06 — Mr. Saitou arrived, his usual. He read two pages of his paper and folded it away.
19:34 — Hara and his guest. She chose the highball; he, after a long pause, a Boulevardier.
20:11 — the record was changed. Side A again. Nobody complained.
20:35 — Ms. Endō, first visit. A Bamboo, then a second. She stayed at the counter, watching the stirring.
21:50 — Komatsu-sensei. Negroni, stirred long. He told the story about the rain in Kyoto again.
22:48 — someone knocked twice and did not come in. The door stayed closed. We are full.
23:07 — the no-name regular, end of the counter. Nothing said. A Manhattan appeared in front of him.
23:41 — now. The candle is low. The daisy still leans toward the door.