Openings

Tokyo Beat Offers a Venue for Show Tunes and Whiskey in Little Tokyo

Tokyo Beat, Little Tokyo Mall
Tokyo Beat, Little Tokyo Mall

Kagaya Shabu Shabu has opened a karaoke bar/lounge/restaurant a few hundred feet away from the house of swishing prime beef. Tokyo Beat’s bar manager Kaori Nagata tells us they’re currently in soft opening, but there is a full Type 47 liquor license in place. In addition to the succinct whiskey selection, they hope to expand the sake menu to accommodate all levels of sake drinkers. Despite the presence of a food menu, the focus will clearly be on all out belting of Lady Gaga, Celine Dion and Hi-Standard’s Stay Gold (which, according to Joysound, these are the most request English songs on Japanese karaoke machines in ‘12). Interior photo is below.

There has been very little activity inside the Little Tokyo Mall since the last decade, with restaurant after restaurant shuttering. Constantly overshadowed by the Japanese Village, Weller Court, and further to the Southeast, Little Tokyo Village, Little Tokyo Mall remains a bargain, and a (small) enclave of unique Japanese businesses. It’s excellent to see an established Little Tokyo name take a chance on an affordable lease. Grand opening will be after Christmas. 319 E 2nd St Ste #205 . Hours: 8:00 P.M. to 3:00 A.M.

Tokyo Beat Offers a Venue for Show Tunes and Whiskey in Little Tokyo