Izakaya Juraku

04/28/2026

This is not your typical showcase.
Live Japanese vocals. High-energy dance. Idol-style performance all in one night.
Edamovement Lab is bringing something raw, experimental, and straight out of Tokyo’s underground performance scene to NYC.
May 1
7:00PM doors / 7:30PM start
The Thespis Theater, Long Island City
If you’ve never seen this style of performance live, this is the one to catch.
Comment “EDAMO” and we’ll send you the ticket link.

04/28/2026

Join us and world champion boxer Miyo Yoshida as we celebrate her return to the ring and her recent win in Boston!

May 5th
5-10PM

At your favorite Izakaya (Juraku)!

Come hang out with us and meet the champion. She’ll have merch with her to help raise funds for her next fight, and if you grab something, your first drink is on us.
Hope to see you there!

Izakaya Juraku
121 Ludlow Street New York NY 10002

04/01/2026

Megumi’s Gin & Tonic
Built from the ground up with citrus from Kankitsu Labo, a Japanese producer dedicated to preserving and showcasing regional citrus across Japan. Each batch uses a blend of Amanatsu, Iyokan, Kawachi Bankan, Setouchi Lemon, and Yuzu, bringing layered sweetness, acidity, and subtle bitterness you won’t find in a standard gin and tonic.
We build our tonic in-house to highlight those natural flavors, then finish it with Japanese gin, sansho, and select spices. The result is bright, aromatic, and slightly numbing on the finish from the sansho, a clean, refreshing highball with depth.
Not your typical G&T. This is a Japanese citrus-driven cocktail built around balance and seasonality.
Available now at Izakaya Juraku.

02/05/2026

Migi Chichi, a cocktail designed for our beloved regular who loves elderflower.
While the Hidari chichi is was specifically made to fit her taste the Migi Chichi was an attempt to bring together sweet and savory to make a cocktail that can introduce people to Awamori. It balances the sweetness of elderflower and the 5 year aged umeshu which has notes of honey with a base of Brandy with the savory and earthy notes of Awamori the floralness of yuzu.
We hope that people will try this cocktail and be introduced to the world of this amazing spirit.

01/30/2026

Watch Kiyo on the Close the Door Behind You podcast with comedian Christos and Dr. Judd.

This week Kiyo of Izakaya Juraku joins ! They discuss the Top 5 dishes at Izakaya Juraku. the struggles of living in Japan, they open P...

01/30/2026

Everyone these days seems to be familiar with brands such as suntory with yamazaki and hakushu being so popular and most japanese bars using suntory toki for their highballs. However there are so many amazing producers in Japan making amazing things and I feel that they deserve a little light and that people can really find something unique and delicious with many of them at a very reasonable price.

01/27/2026

If you're getting into Shochu here are a my thoughts on a few of the Shochus we have at Izakaya Juraku.
Shochu is a very versatile liquor and there are many styles and ways to drink it. shochu is a great smooth drinking mugi Shochu which is great for drinking on the rocks or my favorite is to drink it with some oolong tea. Daiyame is a little more pricey and while it's not my favorite if you like lychee you're going to love this one. The hitachino is delicious with its barrel aging but personally I prefer the hitachino kikusakari taru sake over this, they are both similar but personally I just prefer the sake.
Why not give them all at try and let us know which one you like

01/24/2026

Most people hear shochu and think it’s just Japanese vodka.
It’s not.
Shochu is usually single-distilled, lower in alcohol, and designed for balance and drinkability. It’s closer in spirit to vodka, but far more expressive in flavor.
What makes shochu special is the variety of base ingredients:
🍠 sweet potato
🌾 barley
🍚 rice
🌿 sugar cane
Each one changes the aroma, texture, and how it drinks. It’s meant to be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, with water, or with food, not just as a neutral spirit.
At Izakaya Juraku, we carry a large selection of shochu because it fits perfectly with izakaya culture. Flavor first, balance always, and something you can enjoy all night.
—
焼酎は日本の蒸留酒。
基本は単式蒸留で、アルコール度数も比較的低く、素材の味を大切にします。
芋、麦、米、黒糖など、原料によって味わいは大きく変わります。
居酒屋で料理と一緒に楽しむためのお酒です。
📍 Lower East Side NYC
🍶 Shochu selection available
#焼酎