Summary

Few cocktail bars have quickly become as integral to the New York bar landscape as Katana Kitten. Since opening its doors in 2018, it has consistently ranked at the top of everyone’s go-to list, securing a spot on the World’s 50 Best Bars annually since 2019 (ranking at positions 14, 16, 10, 9, and 27, respectively). Katana Kitten is one of the first bars I visited that captured my fascination with the world of mixology, as it showed that you don’t need a subdued, “sophisticated” atmosphere to serve world-class cocktails. Furthermore, world-class cocktails can be as simple as an incredibly executed whisky highball. The heart, soul, and craft of the establishment are thanks to the awarded bartender and author, Masahiro Urushido. Masahiro puts everything he has into Katana Kitten, and you feel it in everything you experience there. If you’re delving into the robust cocktail bar scene New York City has to offer, Katana Kitten is an absolute must as a mainstay on your list.

Food & Beverage

The essence of Katana Kitten lies in blending Japanese flavors with the American dive bar style. This fusion is palpable not only in the ambiance but also significantly in the cocktail and food selections. The offerings are excellent, delicious, and well-executed. However, if you’re puzzled by my enthusiastic acclaim yet find the cocktails and food don’t rate above the coveted 90 mark, it’s because the drinks prioritize simplicity and accessibility. This approach is far from a drawback; it has enabled me to bring a diverse range of friends, whose appreciation for craft cocktails varies, and all of them have left very happy, when these cocktails are stacked against those from other top-tier venues, they fall a little short of the elite category. The food follows in the same vein: basic but excellent, and especially enjoyable when you’re a few cocktails deep. And in all honesty that’s what you come to Katana Kitten for: many drinks, drunk food, and a good time. At the end of the day, Katana Kitten is a dive bar.

When it comes to cocktails, you can’t go wrong with any of their highballs, especially the Toki Highball, Slowpitch Paloma, and my personal favorite, Shiso Gin & Tonic. I also love their Amaretto Sour and Panda Fizz. When it comes to food, bombs away. Load up on stick soy garlic wings, popcorn fujimi chicken, and nori fries (with the curry sauce, of course). And if you really want a treat, their grilled cheese is one of the bests in the city.

Service

Service at Katana Kitten is, for the most part, excellent. The staff overall is enthusiastic, passionate, fun, and very friendly. On the other hand, throughout my numerous visits, there have been a few employees whose demeanor and attitude were less than satisfactory. These individuals stand out from the rest and do not match the profile of the Katana Kitten team. I’ve never personally had an issue with any of them; it’s merely an observation confirmed by many others who have accompanied me during our interactions with these few. However, due to my overwhelmingly positive experiences, both with Masahiro personally and with the majority of his staff, I consider Katana Kitten to have really good service.

Atmosphere

Katana Kitten boasts one of the coolest atmospheres in the city. Dual-leveled, both floors uniquely express Masahiro’s vision of what a Japanese-style American dive bar should look like. Upstairs is dim and lively, while downstairs feels like you’ve just entered a secret, eccentric ‘80s Tokyo social club. My recommendation is upstairs for a date and downstairs with a group of friends. But really, you can’t go wrong either way.

Vibe

I love Katana Kitten. In my various travels, both domestically and internationally, there are very few venues that I believe can compete with Katana Kitten’s vibe. The experience, from the cocktails to the atmosphere to the music, is exceptional. Masahiro doesn’t just execute his vision; he takes you along on a journey of his passion. Whether you come with friends or a date, or even alone, it doesn’t matter; you’re going to wish you never had to leave... especially late on a night out!