The Kazan Room with Brandon Grilc

Shift Drink

I’m back in Japan today, and talking to one of the few tiki bar owners in the country. Brandon Grilc’s career as an architectural historian took a left hard turn when he and his wife decided to spend some time in Japan teaching English. They had already become tikiphiles and amateur Mid-Century (American) historians while living in the Pacific Northwest, but now found themselves immersed in a culture where tiki was practically non-existent. When he realized that teaching English wasn’t going to scratch that tiki itch, he and his wife decided to open a tiki bar close to their home in Kobe.

The Kazan Room has been attracting tiki travelers and cocktail nerds from all over the world since it’s opening just a year ago. Hear how he overcame the hurdles of opening his first business, navigating contracts in a language he can’t read, and re-introducing tropical libations to a country where whisky highballs and shochu rule.

Kanpai!