From 4AM Repairs to Spring Drinks and 8 years of Juraku!!
Izakaya Juraku April Newsletter!
March wasn’t loud. No big events. No major announcements.
But it was one of those months that reminds us why we do this.
We got to see a lot of our regulars. And honestly, that’s always the best part.
Behind the Bar
We finally tackled a project we’ve been putting off for a long time.
We installed a brand new tap tower.
Not just for looks. To make the bar more efficient, free up space, and fix something that’s been bothering us for a while.
The slushy machine used to sit too close to one of our tables. It was loud, it pushed out heat, and it wasn’t a great experience for guests sitting there.
So we fixed it.
What that actually looked like:
Sunday night after service, I started tearing out the old system. Worked until after 4AM.
Went home. Slept a couple hours. Came back Monday with more parts, more tools, and help from our neighbors at Schamous Paints on Delancey.
Worked straight through again.
Didn’t get everything running until almost 6AM.
Went home again, came back, finished everything in time to make sure beers were flowing for lunch service.
Didn’t even get to enjoy it before heading to Brooklyn to sponsor lunch for a Japanese film shoot called The Apologizers.
This is the kind of stuff that doesn’t really make it online. But it’s a big part of what keeps Juraku running.
8 Years of Juraku
April 21 marks our 8th anniversary.
From a quiet opening with just a handful of guests to everything this place has become now.
It’s never just been about food and drinks.
It’s the people. The regulars. The conversations. The late nights, the chaos, and everything in between.
We’re putting something together for anniversary week.
We’ll be running a special promotion from April 20–26, including an $8 shot and beer.
There’s also something else we’re working on for that week, but we’re not announcing it here.
We’ll be sharing details on:
Instagram
Our WhatsApp community
If you’re not following along yet, now’s the time.
Community, Always
Even on quieter months, the community keeps moving.
Weekly TENTEN artist meetups every Wednesday
OMRC continuing to run out of Juraku
Regulars coming through, checking in, keeping the energy alive
This place has never just been about food and drinks. It’s always been about the people around it.
Spring Is Here
As the weather starts to shift, so are we.
We’re bringing in new drinks built for warmer days, starting with:
Megumi’s Gin & Tonic
Named after our friend Megumi from Kankitsu Labo.
House-made tonic using five Japanese citruses including:
Yuzu
Amanatsu
Kawachi Bankan
Blended with sansho and spices, paired with Japanese gin.
Clean, bright, and built for spring.
And of course, the Matcharita is back in rotation. If you know, you know.
More new items are on the way. We’re just getting started.
New Partnerships
On a more personal note, I’m sponsoring Miyo Yoshida as she returns to the boxing ring.
She’s a multi-world champion and a longtime friend and regular of Juraku.
This one is a personal sponsorship, not through the restaurant, but hopefully next time we can go bigger and even bring it into the space.
Maybe a Miyo wall at Juraku one day.
The Juraku Network
One thing I’ve been thinking about more lately is how to extend what happens at Juraku beyond the physical space.
A lot of you already know, I’m in group chats with regulars. People share trips, events, random ideas.
So I wanted to open that up.
We started a WhatsApp community:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kt47ZbrF4yi9WXaI6w44oW
The idea is simple:
Think of it as a virtual Juraku bar.
There’s a chat called Juraku Network where you can share anything:
Japan travel tips
Events happening around the city
Things you think other Juraku people would be into
Right now it’s small. Maybe 5–10 people.
But that’s how everything here starts.
If you join, message me (Kiyo) in there this month and I’ll send you a free set of Juraku WhatsApp stickers we made with Samurai Sword Soul.
I’m also planning to go to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden cherry blossom event later this month. If people want to link up, that’s exactly what this is for.
Order Direct, Support Juraku
If you’re ordering takeout or delivery:
Use code DIRECT at checkout and save 20%.
More importantly, it keeps more of your support with us instead of going to third-party apps.
Loyalty Perks
Earn points on every order
Get 2% back
Signup bonus + birthday rewards
It adds up faster than you think.
Thank You
March was one of those months where a lot happened behind the scenes.
Long nights. Small improvements. Real conversations.
That’s how Juraku grows.
Thank you for being part of it.