Tonight we were at Vancouver Hotel’s latest speakeasy pop up, located in their basement event space. This is a limited-time only cocktail and listening lounge pop-up that brings together Japanese-inspired cuisine, elevated cocktails, and immersive sound. This launched on February 5th and is running until May 2026.
This concept was the first that wasn’t seasonally derived for the hotel property, but born out of the popular listen lounge concept. The name “Hibiki” translates to “resonance” in Japanese. This refers to the concept of slowing down to fully engage in the experience, listening to music and enjoying the space with drink in hand.
However, despite the jazzy layout with its curated calm, the music was a lot more energetic and certainly set the tone for a more rambunctious evening, especially with what was available on menu.
Created in partnership with Beam Suntory, you actually get a shot of whiskey as a welcome, when you enter.
Yet again this rotating space has been transformed. This is an intimate and thoughtfully-designed space draped in reds and blacks. Shelves of vinyl, record players, and a live DJ booth. Here, the art of listening is as important as the art of drinking and dining.
Like the decor and theme, both the food and drink menu are rooted in Japanese ingredients and techniques. We tried three of the cocktails and three of their specialty dishes.
Relaxing Times is a mix of toki whiskey, absinthe rinse, cubed sugar, chilled sake, sansho bitters, and lemon peel. Given the rinse, it is no surprise that this one was strong, and the boldest of all the cocktails we tried, resembling an Old Fashioned.
The group was split on the Roku Sour. Those who loved it appreciated the bitterness and creamy texture of this mix of roku gin, matcha tea, yuzu juice, and egg white. I found the bitterness of the matcha, and the sourness of the yuzu a little much for me.
My favourite of the three was the Haku Spring made with haku vodka, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, fever tree elderflower tonic, and a grapefruit wheel. This was bubbly and refreshing great start, and a great palate refresher, complimentary to the small plates below.
The Chicken Karaage was crispy wings seasoned with sansho pepper, grilled lemon, and sesame tare. Crispy and meaty bites, this was the most substantial of the shared bites we had.
Nasu Dengaku is roasted Japanese eggplant coated in a sweet miso glaze, topped with toasted sesame, and severed with quick-pickled cucumbers. With heavy flavour and rich textures, this was a good base to balance out the bolder cocktails.
Scallop Kobujime is konbu-cured scallop crudo dressed in yuzu kosho with evoo lemon ponzu, and pickled carrot. The scallop was light and delicate sliced so thinly. By comparison, the dressing it sat in was overwhelming, overshadowing the shellfish.
Hibiki hosts live DJ performances every Friday and Saturday starting at 7pm. Guest DJs include Kyprios, Vinyl Richie, Nick Bike, and Flipout. Each set to deliver vinyl-forward sets that span soulful, eclectic, and timeless sound; as a part of the Suntory Sessions.
In short this was a great space to grab a drink at. Best described as, “A fresh spin on the classic cocktail lounge, blending Japanese craftsmanship, thoughtful hospitality, and carefully-curated sound into one immersive experience.” (As per the press release)
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
900 W Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 2W6
(604) 662-1900
fairmont-hotel-vancouver.com
