SakaMai “Sake Lounge” Opening Next Month at 157 Ludlow

Tenement, Blue Seats, The Draft, and Bar 157 all met their maker within a short six-year span. The latter watering hole folded in January 2012, not long after a new cream coat of paint was applied to the facade. Now 157 Ludlow Street is rolling the proverbial dice with another nightlife establishment – the Japanese “sake lounge” SakaMai.

Six months ago, we first reported on SakaMai and its goal of transferring the full liquor license from its predecessor. Despite residing in a resolution area, Tanner Fahl and Natalie Graham secured approval from Community Board 3 and ultimately, the State Liquor Authority itself. The concept here is seemingly simple - Pacific Rim-style small plates and street food coupled with array of Japanese beverages including sake, shochu, beer, and whiskey. In its own words, the lounge aims to “cultivate a unique eating and drinking culture and experience by infusing tradition with progression.”

Ever since the first intel on this joint began to trickle out, visible progress onsite has been relatively difficult to gauge. Nevertheless, SakaMai keeps its small group of eager future patrons sated with a Twitter feed chronicling advancement. And according to a recent communique, it appears the restaurant will officially open to the public on December 12.

Meanwhile, management is seeking front-of-house positions – servers, bartenders, food runners, bussers, hostesses