Want to feel like you’ve stumbled into a Tokyo back-alley ceremony without leaving Downtown Dubai? Himitsu – the sultry speakeasy hidden behind Alba at Dubai Opera Plaza – just launched The Sake Series, a quietly ceremonial tasting experience that asks only two things: slow down, sip, and enjoy the small mysteries of Japan’s most revered spirit. (Yes, it’s as dramatic and delightful as it sounds.)
Tiny room, huge personality – and four thoughtful flights
Himitsu’s Sake Series is served in two chapters. The first chapter, The Himitsu Sake Series, is a set of four tasting flights (two sakes per flight – no food), priced from AED 40. Each flight is its own little lesson in sake: think The Earth’s Whisper for umami clarity, Blossoms in Balance for floral-fruity harmony, Wings of Elegance for quiet precision, and Clouds & Bubbles for a playful contrast of old-school craft and effervescent mischief. These are not just pours – they’re micro-stories you drink. (Credit: the launch format and flight names you supplied.)
If you want the tasting to lean into food, skip to chapter two. The Four Seasonal Paths pairs two sakes with two small plates inspired by the seasons – from a spring hamachi carpaccio and spicy tuna handrolls to richer summer morsels like unagi nigiri and prawn tempura maki – with prices starting at AED 95. It’s a mini-omakase for your palate that tracks Japan’s seasonal mood swings. (All menu structure and prices as provided.)
The vibe: hush, warm lights, and ritual
Himitsu is intentionally theatrical – a dim, intimate space with floral murals and a signature red glow. It’s the kind of bar where the décor reads like a secret, and the sake arrives like a private note. The bar operates as a late-evening hideaway and frames each tasting with the kind of hush that makes you lean in and actually taste. If you love stories with your sips, this one delivers.
Quick tips for first-timers
- Start with the lighter flight (Blossoms in Balance or Earth’s Whisper) – sake can be shockingly delicate.
- Sip, don’t gulp. Sake evolves on the tongue – give it time.
- Bring a friend who judges less and tastes more. Two flights, more notes, fewer arguments.
- If you like a bubbly surprise, make time for Clouds & Bubbles – it’s the playful plot twist of the series.
Final pour
If your idea of a good night involves hidden doors, artful pours, and learning to notice subtleties you didn’t know existed in a glass, Himitsu’s The Sake Series is made for you. Book a slot, step behind the curtain at Alba, and let four flights (or four seasonal paths) turn a regular evening into a small Japanese ritual you’ll be telling people about – in hushed, delighted tones, naturally.
Contact & Location:
Phone – +971 58 585 4273
