After returning from our trip to Japan, I knew I had to bring my family here! It had been on my list for a while and we were already missing Japan. The space is cute! It's up the stairs above Sanjusan and right next to Kado No Mise: just a little speakeasy-style bar. Seating is first come first serve. Service was a bit formal and curt: the space was empty and our group of four asked to take the corner seats, and they told us we could "for now". I was surprised how limited the cocktail menu was! I appreciate just sticking to a few things and doing them really well. They have a more extensive list of Japanese whiskeys. We got the old fashioned, collins, and kuri cocktails and each one was very good! Bold, impressive flavors and a clear craftsmanship. The prices are quite steep, but it's mainly because there is no tip line - all gratuity is included in the menu price. read more

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This cocktail bar was a really fun experience - the bartenders are super knowledgeable, and you can tell they really care about their craft. They have lots of specialized equipment and tools they use to make really interesting cocktails, and the dedication to the art really shows in the drinks! I got a Kabocha cocktail, and it was well balanced and delicious - I heard others at the bar mention that the whiskey cocktails are even better, so I look forward to trying that next time. Great experience! read more

Gori Gori Peku - View from corner table - small space - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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While not exactly a replica of the ōshentikku bā or cocktail dens of Japan, it comes close. Elegant with a serious attitude towards classicism and drinking, Gori Gori Peku is unique in Minneapolis and the United States. There are similar bars in NYC and San Francisco, but nowhere else that I'm aware of. Small and a bit hidden, these dens provide a cocktail zen experience. Our spirit zen master at Gori Gori was Sophia, and she guided both my spouse and me well. Gori's take on a classic Manhattan named the A 5 was one of the best cocktails I've had, with layers of deep, meaty flavor. We live a few minutes away and will enjoy stopping into Gori Gori Peku often. read more

We finished Omakase dinner at Kado no Mise and walked down the hallway into this tiny little bar. Attentive bartender, but there were only 4 customers including us. It wasn't bad, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return here. read more

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As far as I know, there's not another strictly Japanese speakeasy around, with only Japanese whiskies offered. Gori Gori is upstairs from Sanjusan, which makes for a nice after dinner night cap. Not a lot of seating, but the dark atmosphere adds to the speakeasy vibe. Just a heads up, the pours aren't cheap. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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On the second floor there is a cute, remote, upscale cocktail lounge. It is very small and does not take reservations. The drinks were very flavorful, unique and well done. These are drinks that are worth the price! We will definitely be back to try some of the Japanese whiskey and other cocktails on the menu. read more

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My GF and I went here after dinner on a chilly night. It was a perfect pairing to have some whisky to warm the body on a cold night. First of all I love this place; obviously a lot of effort went into the ambiance and decour of this place which I can appreciate. They had a wide-range of whiskeys for different budgets. I must mention that it will be a little heavy on the pockets so if you are looking to save this may not be the spot for you. However if you don't mind the extra spending I highly encourage you to visit. We had some pretty good cocktails and great service; the host was able to give us great recommendations based on our preference. Parking may be a challenge as it is the North loop. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stopped here for a nightcap after dining at Sanjusan. I was surprised by how busy it was at 8pm on a Monday! It seems like there were a couple BIG parties waiting to be seated. Despite this, service was excellent. One cool and calm bartender working her way through all of us. We had an old fashioned and the Sotoku. The old fashioned was great--japanese whiskey has much less bite to it so I was a big fan. The Sotoku was delicious too! It was citrus-y with a touch of smokey from the shishito peppers. Plus, the stamped ice is impressive. Also, I loved the smell here. I think they were burning a touch of sage and that really added for me. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Old fashioned and the Sotoku - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I've been wanting to come to Gori Gori Peku for so long and I was not disappointed! Came on a Saturday evening around 6:30 before dinner at Kado No Mise. It was pretty busy, but there was room for us at the bar. We both ordered the old fashioned and it was so delicious and perfectly crafted. The blend of whiskeys were so good. I'll definitely be back to try some of their Japanese whiskeys. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

What an amazing gem in the heart of Minneapolis, for, Japanese Whiskey lovers of course! My husband is a huge fan and when we found this hidden gem, we just had to check it out. Located on the second floor of a brick building, this tiny speakeasy bar/lounge is a must to visit when in town. An extravagant menu, with imported spirits and a decent array of alternatives for those not looking for something non alcoholic or on a different beverage scope. Cayden was an epic bartender who shared his insights throughout our visit, and put on quite the show. Amazing service! We will be back, and you should most definitely pay this spot a visit as well! Cheers to hidden gems Yelpers xx read more

Gori Gori Peku - Menu - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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This bar, located on the second floor of the Sanjusan / Kado No Mise is a hidden gem in the neighborhood. Their selection of Japanese whiskies is unmatched in the cities (they are a Japanese Whisky Bar after all). But more than the selection, the bartenders are very knowledgeable. They have never led me astray in the recommendations they have made over the years. This last time, we stopped by here as we waited for our table down the street, I got to try a new whisky that I hadn't had a chance to try on the recommendation of the bartenders. It was spot on and delicious and I enjoyed it very much. I try to stop by here whenever I can. It's a great way to try on new stuff in a relaxed atmosphere. I always ended up going to the liquor store to pick up a bottle of whatever I tried so there is that :) If you are into whiskies, I highly recommend this place. I haven't had any cocktails here but I would expect them to be excellent. read more

This is a must try place located on the second floor of Sanjusan. The bartender is supper friendly and knowledgable. I had a bad day so he was extra tentative, gave me some samples to try before ordering. My favorite drink is the Sotoku. The drinks are also presented in an artful way; great service, great drinks, must try read more

Hidden upstairs from Sanjusan is their Japanese whiskey bar. Reminiscent of actual bars in Japan it's very intimate and cozy. They make a delicious Old Fashioned with fig. Yum! Excellent service since I was the second person there on a Tuesday evening. Most of the Japanese whiskys were rather expensive so not somewhere I would frequent, but a great place to wait for my date before our 10 course meal at Kado No Mise. The ambiance is lovely. The attention to detail like the enormous engraved ice cube was fantastic. Speaking to the chef at dinner he explained that Gori Gori Peku is named after a friends dog! Fun story if I understood it correctly. Definitely a fun thing to say. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Kado Old Fashioned - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

HUGE fan of Gori Gori Peku - love the drinks, great mixologists and the venue is great for a night a drinking, plus it's not too big some it isn't noisy. If you are in the mood for a well crafted cocktail or some good Japanese whiskey, this is the place for you. Granted drinks are a little pricey but then again, you are in the North Loop and not at a run-of-the-mill bar or dive bar. They take walk-ins if it isn't already full and located on the second floor opposite of Kado No Mise above Sanjusan. They have more than whiskey and actually I think I found my new favorite drink which had a super cool ice cube and nice heat from a shisito pepper. Always entertaining to watch the mixologists and chat with them so if you are out for date night, be sure to check this place out, even though I kind of want to keep this a hidden gem in the North Loop. read more

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My friend and I arrived a little early for our reservation at Sanjusan and were told we could head upstairs for a drink at their Japanese whiskey bar - which turned out to be Gori Gori Peku! I had a glass of sparkling sake, and my friend had their Kado Old Fashioned. She loves an Old Fashioned, but she said this Old Fashioned from Gori Gori Peku might be the best version she all weekend in Minneapolis. My sake was great, too. (They offer cocktails, mocktails, sake, wine, whiskeys, and more!) The service was good, and this tiny Japanese whiskey bar has great ambiance. Overall, it was a great spot to have a drink before dinner! read more

I went here for the first time to celebrate Lunar new year with a friend and will have to say that I loved the environment. There's a good amount of options to select from and the bartenders definitely know what to recommend based on your palate. It is quite pricy and definitely agree that you would want to come here with a party of 3 or less since there isn't much room. But if you are interested in trying Japanese whiskey without buying a whole bottle, this is a good place to check out. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Some Iwai whisky - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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We recently dined in Kado no Mise and stopped in here after to check it out. My husband and I shared two half-pours of Japanese whisky. The bartender/server helped us choose and recommended two of the more reasonably priced and milder (less smoky/peaty) options. They still were quite fiery - not sure if that is the nature of the Japanese whisky game or due to our financial constraints. Despite it being a Saturday night, we were able to find a corner spot on the couch and there was pretty rapid turnover. People would come in but not stay too long so there were frequently spots at the bar opening up. It was very dark and the crowd was very varied, so it was good people-watching. The cocktails (which we enjoyed next door with our dinner - same menu in each space) were excellent, but the NA options were a little lacking/unimaginative. read more

Great vibe in this small space above parent restaurant Kado no Mise. The staff know the Japanese whiskeys. I had an opportunity to try some rare items I'd been curious about, and learn about them from the staff. My only critiques are it's *very* small and the staff of Kado no Mise have *each and every time* been snooty and rude about its availability for reasons that I can only assign to their youth, social ignorance, and the failure of the management of Kado no Mise to understand how the hospitality industry works at higher class establishments. If you actually go to the top spots in world cities, no one acts the way they do at the host desk at Kado no Mise. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nice place to grab a cocktail. The space is dark and intimate and holds maybe 20 people. I got the Sotoku and despite the description (vodka, shishito, cantaloupe, pineapple, lime, yuzu), it was very citrus forward -- wish it was a bit more balanced with the shiso. Appreciate their craft ice. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Sotoku and Kado old fashioned - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Amazing selection of Japanese whiskeys and great house cocktails. Fun coming here after Kado no Mise

Incredibly impressed with Gori Gori Peku bar. My friend and I had gone as a way to finish off the night after a wonderful omakase dinner at Kado No Mise. I ordered an old fashioned (pictured) and it was delicious. Loved the engraved ice cube and especially loved the whiskey selection that was available. read more

Gori Gori Peku - a drink in a glass - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I like this place. This place likes me, too! Pretty much a regular here and the homies who work here are super nice! Drinks are properly crafted to perfection! Recommend 10/10 and bring a friend! Don't bring any more than 3 friends tho... space is extremely limited read more

Delicious drinks and service. Perfect ambiance for chill, laid back, no fuss environment. read more

Drinks were some of the best we ever had. Quiet and calm ambience. Best part of the experience was watching the bartender make all the cocktails (make sure you watch the bartender with the skull ring, he's the best!). Our favorite bar experience in Minneapolis. read more

Gori Gori Peku - a man sleeping on a bar - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

A beautifully designed, serene space - a privilege to linger at the bar and watch artful cocktails in the making. Service is exemplary - so much so that when I questioned the bill (having distinctly heard my guest order a HALF pour of high-end whiskey) it was adjusted swiftly without argument; the cost difference was not trivial, but we both felt badly afterwards, perhaps the barman just heard wrong, and it WAS a generous "half-pour". I hope that an unreserved laudatory review and our future repeat business will help compensate. read more

Gori Gori Peku is a small Japanese Whiskey bar above Kado No Mise. The ambiance is very nice - cozy and candle lit. They have an extensive list of whiskey and sake as well as cocktails, wine, and beer. The bartender was extremely knowledgeable and walked us through the menu helping us identify drinks to fit our taste. I also believe you can order a limited menu from Kado No Mise - I saw a few people ordering what looked like ramen. Highly recommend stopping by for a pre or post dinner drink! read more

We were excited to try this place as we are fans of Japanese whisky. The bar is cool, dark, quiet. The service was fine, nothing amazing nothing bad. The cocktails were ok, wished they had flights of whiskey or easier way to try several kinds. Extremely expensive for the experience. read more

I was at a different bar with a friend trying a Japanese whiskey when my friend said if we really wanted to try good Japanese whiskey, we needed to go to Gori Gori Peku because he'd had a great experience there. So a week later, there we went. The staff host staff was welcoming and directed us to the bar. We were very quickly presented with the menu to look over and given a few minutes to do so. After taking it all in, we set our menus down and looked up and around to make eye contact with one of the three people working this tiny bar space, including the person behind the bar directly in front of us. No interaction from him, OK.... How about the server who brought us the menu, where is she? Not around, OK... Third time was the charm, we did get somebody to listen to our preferences to then make some suggestions. We each chose our whiskeys and we're happy with them. All in all it was an OK experience with both pluses and minuses. If I were with someone else who wanted to check it out, I would give it another try. However, I would probably not be the one to suggest going. read more

I had a fantastic time grabbing a glass of authentic Japanese whisky with a couple friends. Even though the bar was small, the cozy, candle lit ambience complimented the bar's decor. The bartenders were excellent and more than happy to give their opinion on their whisky selection. read more

Gori Gori Peku - Menu (currently not found on their website). - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is a beautiful, intimate Japanese whiskey bar above Kado No Mise. Tomo is a great bartender. We've been here a few times, and he always remembers what we ordered the time before, and can recommend something new. They have an extensive list of Japanese whiskeys and sake. Definitely one of my favorite bars in the cities. read more

Amazing quiet (at least tonight) bar with great service and a fantastic Japanese whiskey selection.

Quiet, tucked away whiskey bar with great craft cocktails and a selection of difficult-to-find Japanese whiskies. The atmosphere is as close to my platonic ideal of a bar as I can think of--laid back jazz and lounge music, the faint scent of sandalwood incense (I think it's the generic mainichikoh) burning in a distant hallway, low-lit and calm. Very much recommended for a relaxing evening. read more

Gori Gori Peku--sound of comfort in thirst-- thank you, arigatow..- a place space and time like rhythm of leisure-- relax and calm... and the ONLY Bar I go in this city--!! like a private, quite and calm -- a special room -- When you are so alone in this country -- time at work is unnoticed as if labor and constituent went so fast and its gone, resulted a feeling- displaced. At the end of the day-- you felt "fail. I walk along the Mississippi river- and I found this bar-- Gori Gori Paku. The classiest warm and provide you safe and acknowledge presence in cultural context. I found a safe and beautiful surround, and that was four years ago, currently, Gori Gori Peku its my pilgrim...never change. The Chef Furukawa detail careful choices of silverware and antique ceramic to hold your beverages--and you seated at a beautiful bar--provide comfort, the glance of ceramic traces of a beginning time, moved you, wonder in that space of very special of serving Asian craft and beverages: the plum wine, sotoku with kadonomise stamp ice--then the pouring Sake is companion to an wonder evening. You feel special. It is a bar with unique crowd, carefully choreographed like there is guest list-- among who seated right there-this is clearly NOT a regular hello here hello there. You don't need to beg to be greeted, no rush of saying hello--we seated, calmly-- like waiting a blessing in tea ceremony but permeated on promise of beauty and yumminess of thirst lush, a forest- A Japanese whiskey here-or plum wine, sweetness that you and its memory--then I promise you that the soberness on the day will collapse. The music, the architecture-- Bring you to a faraway land and imagination of thirst in no reference time but current and its presence---whiskey and sake, flowing perfume of grape and green-- like our dream on Hokkaido River, Sapporo, or Kyoto youngness but mature and its story of luxury and promise in cosmopolitanism. Gori Gori Peku, an elegancy of city's diamond---- I fall in love; drink in a cultural intangibility that seated next to the Kaiseki Furukawa of Kadonomise in Minneapolis... read more

This is a beautiful Japanese whiskey bar right upstairs from Kado No Mise. I'm not a big whiskey drinker but we decided to try this out after dinner downstairs. We ordered whiskey sours, which I don't think were in the menu but our waitress downstairs recommended them. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and so precise when making the cocktails. The bar is absolutely beautiful; it's very cozy, warm, and inviting. I could have spent hours there just soaking up that little room. I've never felt so relaxed at a bar, it almost feels spa-like. Highly highly recommended. read more