World Sake Day: The best masterclasses, menus and tastings in London

Celebrated on 1 October, this year’s World Sake Day sees Japanese restaurants across London rising to the occasion to champion this iconic Japanese rice spirit with a wealth of masterclasses, menus, and tastings.

Believed to have originated in 1978, the day was originally a salute to the rice farmers and brewery workers, and marked the start of the annual rice harvest, essential for sake production in Japan. Today, it offers the perfect opportunity to sip and savour this traditional rice spirit, whether a sake savant or newcomer to this smooth spirit.

Here, we round up some of London’s most luxurious menus and tastings:JUNO Omakase

A relative newcomer to London’s restaurant scene, discover six-seater JUNO Omakase tucked away inside Los Mochis in Notting Hill. In keeping with its location, the experience combines traditional Japanese cuisine with unexpected Mexican flair. Celebrating the spirit of World Sake Day throughout October, the restaurant will offer an exceptional sake pairing menu, designed by Host Sommelier, Spiros Athanasiou, to be enjoyed alongside Executive Chef Leonard Tanyag’s 15 creative courses.Taku

Taku serves a daily-changing chef’s choice menu, designed each morning based on seasonal ingredients and availability. The acclaimed Michelin star omakase in Mayfair places sake centre stage this month, with an optional alcohol pairing showcasing a range of bespoke and special sakes, alongside wines carefully chosen by the restaurant’s sommeliers.CLAP London

Located a stone’s throw from Harrods, CLAP London offers a range of drinking and dining spaces, celebrating Japanese delicacies from sushi and robata to carefully constructed cocktails. With a varied sake selection, guests can enjoy a range of premium offerings by the glass, carafe, or bottle – a chance to sample a few different varieties with a meal, or upstairs in the bustling bar and terrace.Sticks’n’Sushi, various locations

Celebrating World Sake Day across its London portfolio, Sticks’n’Sushi’s Sake Sommelier and Head of Bars, Vicky Vecchione, has worked closely with premium breweries and experts to develop a programme of events to honour the occasion. From beginners through to well-seasoned sake lovers, the restaurant group offers something to celebrate:

Sake Masterclasses for Beginners by Takara Brewery, Sticks’n’Sushi Soho, Tuesday 1 October
Akashi Tai Sake Supper, Sticks’n’Sushi White City, Tuesday 15 October
Mio Sparkling Sake & Cocktail Masterclass, Sticks’n’Sushi Shoreditch, Tuesday 22 October
HEAVENSAKE Cocktail Masterclass, Sticks’n’Sushi Canary Wharf, Tuesday 29 October

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