Wait, Japan Society Throws Parties Like This?
You know those New York nights that somehow turn into New York nights? You start out drinking sake in a yukata at Japan Society, and a few hours later you’re eating soft serve in oppressive humidity before drinking a cocktail out of a ceramic octopus in a candlelit bar.
This was one of those nights.
And apparently, the secret is starting at Japan Society.
Okay, I have told you before that everyone needs a Japan Society membership, and now I gotta tell you again because Kanpai Nights may be the perfect launch point for a New York night.
Their latest iteration centered on Okinawa, with everyone dressed to impress, and relax, in their yukata. There was a full buffet: sushi, pork, squid, omelets, all the dangerous little bites that make you say, “I am just making one plate,” before returning immediately. Orion, Okinawa’s beer, had its own booth, and some super-cute pourers, if I do say so myself. There was sake everywhere, and everyone was having a great time. The drinks were complimentary, the event was free and open to the public, and yes, you needed to RSVP because they sold right out!
My favorite corner was the VERY cute yukata rental and dressing station by Kimono House on Thompson Street. Racks of color were waiting while staff expertly folded, tied, and transformed people right in the middle of the room. Suddenly, everyone was comparing obi bows, taking pictures, and complimenting strangers’ outfits. A perfect icebreaker.
That was really the magic. Japan Society’s Kanpai series began as a gathering around international friendship, bringing together diplomats, culture lovers, and the community. Its second edition turned the World Baseball Classic into a communal watch party. Okinawa was the third installment, but the same idea remained: culture is not something locked behind glass. It is something you eat, wear, drink, and talk about with somebody you met twelve minutes ago.
Yes, a lot of the crowd came from the UN world, but Japan Society is also clearly trying to make room for younger people, and this is EXACTLY how you do it. Give us something to learn, something delicious, and some fantastic drinks, then end early enough that there is plenty of night left!
We left full and pleasantly pregamed with friends new and old. We rode a bus somewhere silly, got soft serve because this heat is just a wetter version of hell, and ended up in a sexy, candlelit bar drinking cocktails out of sea-creature vessels.
The reason that night could happen at all was Kanpai Nights. It gave old friends a new place to gather and put new people in our orbit. It was one of those nights I dreamed about growing up and never believed I would actually have.
Their next Kanpai Night is in September. Grab your group and do not miss it