Atsumeru to Launch 'Afterhours' Lounge Series, Opening for Drinks Every Tuesday Night

Following the launch of its curated beverage program, West Town’s Nordic-Japanese restaurant Atsumeru announced the start of a new late-night beverage concept, "Atsumeru Afterhours." Beginning Tuesday, July 14, the restaurant will open its basement space to the public for walk-in bar service every Tuesday starting at 6 p.m.

The launch marks a milestone for the establishment, which secured its license last month to debut its first independent cocktail, wine, and sake collections. Historically open Wednesday through Saturday exclusively for an interactive 10-to-12-course seafood-forward tasting menu, the restaurant previously required guests to commit to the full dining experience to sample any beverage pairings. Atsumeru Afterhours represents the first time the restaurant will operate on Tuesdays, providing a dedicated avenue for guests to experience the beverage program on a standalone basis.

“We have spent so much time perfecting our beverage program to provide the best possible experience for our guests and we are so excited to finally be able to share it with them,” said Chef-Owner Devin Denzer. “Afterhours gives our neighborhood a way to drop in casually, enjoy a nightcap, and explore these unique flavor profiles without the time or structure of a full dinner reservation.”

The Afterhours menu features five signature cocktails that bridge Nordic flavor profiles with Japanese spirits:

• Skär Punch: Features gin, aperol, rhubarb, and guava.
• Kiiro Sour: Combines shochu, melon, and ginger.
• Ume Cream: A textured drink layering whiskey, armagnac, plum, and rice.
• Baltic Fog: A savory option featuring aquavit, shochu, and yuzu kukicha.
• Daimyo: A spirit-forward blend of Japanese whisky, hojicha, and angostura.

The cocktail list runs alongside an expanded wine and sake curation available by both the glass and the bottle. The menu spotlights premium allocations, including Krug Grande Cuvée 172nd Edition Champagne, a 2024 Massican Pinot Grigio from Napa Valley, and a 2023 Jacques Dumont Cuvée from Jura. 

A cornerstone of the beverage program is its exclusive sake import list, featuring Yamada "Everlasting Roots" from Hida Prefecture. Sourced from a tiny town where the community dines collectively, the small-batch draft is imported specifically for the restaurant and utilizes unfiltered, mountain-purified water. This rare production method is only practiced by about three percent of Japan's 1,100 to 1,200 breweries and filters through mountain rocks to impart a distinct earthy minerality. The restaurant also offers a standard 5-course pairing and a 6-course reserve pairing for guests booking the full tasting menu experience.

Entry to the lounge is available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.