Unique speakeasy. Under the sushi restaurant, you can enter through the restaurant or from an entrance out back. The menu is pretty limited and there were quite a few ingredients missing. The cocktails themselves were fun and unique. It's cool to see a sake cocktail bar in Omaha. There was a DJ that played pretty good songs and remixes. The seating options were fun and good for groups or couples. The decor is super pretty and fits the vibe of the place. The bartender was new but she did her best. read more

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It's advertised as a speakeasy, but it's definitely not that. Just a dirty dive bar in the basement. They barely had any of the ingredients to make their signature cocktail drinks. They didn't have any vodka. Hell, she told me they didn't even have any more beer! I had to drink water for 15 minutes until my date finished her drink, which she felt made her stomach upset later on that evening. There was a slight smell of sewage. read more

Decided to stop by for a quick drink while we waited for our table at a restaurant. After enjoying Ika Ramen more than a few times, I had gotten extremely curious of what lies behind the "secret door." It was pretty empty when we arrived, as it was early, but we were content with no crowd. They had a DJ and were clearly anticipating a busy evening. It was a larger space than I expected, with a decent size bars and even had booths tucked away. We enjoyed the cocktails we ordered as we took in the details of the bar. Only down side was that we couldn't stay longer! read more

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My friend and I went here last month and it was an awesome experience. I've been wanting to come here for years so this was a treat! It was about 7pm and we walk down to the basement and we are the only ones there. (We are old now, what can I say.) The bar tender was super cool and nice and made a bunch of great suggestions, and I ended up getting a couple of them. The Saki was really good and the autumn old fashioned was freaking top notch. And we got a buck discount off of each because it was happy hour. BONUS! Everything was great and I can't wait to go back there. read more

This is a super cool speakeasy with cool vibes and amazing drinks. We stumbled upon it while eating at Ika Ramen upstairs. The service was great, very friendly. The menu is easy to follow, with cocktails on one side and sake on the other. The bartender recommend some really good sake, crisp and dry. We got one of the sweeter cocktails but it was very tasty and just the right amount of sweetness. This place is awesome and would definitely recommend! read more

Kaitei - a pink cocktail in a coupe glass - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Went on a Saturday night, it was pretty dead inside. The decor was cool but the music they were playing felt weird for a Japanese bar. They charge $25 for a pour of Toki Suntory which is crazy. Bartender was wearing a tail. The saving grace was guitar hero 3. read more

Underground speakeasy bars are a fav of mine. Despite aging eyes, I dig the shadows. Some go fancy, others stylize in one way or another. Keitei is a graffitied Sake speakeasy, dark and inviting on entry. The trick is finding the entry. There are two. One through the restaurant on the street level, and the other opens out behind the restaurant, in the alley. A speakeasy with an alley entrance? Yes, please! They do serve a variety of cocktails, but what dazzled me was the Sake. Japanese rice wine is a particular favorite of mine. They have a wonderful array of examples here. I sampled several and was not disappointed. My wife, who dislikes Sake fundamentally, found cocktails to suit her. Both were great. The bartender was at that early-in-the-workday phase, where prep and polish happens. He's a sociable sort, with a clever biz tee on. Knows his stuff. Humorous without performing. He made the environment that much better. Definitely will return. read more

Do you love video games, hidden bars in basements with questionable ventilation, and amazing cocktails? Then get to Kaitei stat. And if you're creeped out walking down the alley, you can also enter from Ika Ramen above (allegedly). We went for the creepy alley route since this was daytime. (We're old now). read more

Omaha is in no shortage of cool retro speakeasy-eque bars- and this one is high on my list. Drew and Alex- two of the bartenders here- are familiar faces from Berry & Rye, Wicked Rabbit AND Laka Lono. I was pleasantly surprised to see them here but already knew that I would be well taken care of. The small basement-like space of KaiTei is used as overflow for Ika Ramen's waiting area, or you can enter from the back alley if you just seek to patronage the bar, which is what we did. It's decorated in a fun graffiti form, which reminds me of a bar I once visited in Shibuya Japan. The menu here is ever changing, and Drew told us he has plans to revamp pretty frequently. It's mostly sake based, and I LOVE that! There was even a boxed sake which was cute and fun. Drew and Alex make drinking an art with their craft. I told Drew that I wanted him to choose all my drinks and he asked a few questions then kept bringing them out. I enjoyed each one. They recently set up a vending machine which dispenses affordable Asian snacks. Great bar munchies! Totally a great place to have a warm engaging night with friends- and the drinks were amazing. Worth the $10 price point for me. Benson's best kept (but not for long) secret. read more

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Great place to party, bartender was nice and took care of me and my DJ brothers who are there 1st and 3rd Friday! The community needs to know what's going on more and get more people to come and party with us all night long, I recommend it! read more

Such a sick spot. This place makes you feel like you stepped into the Lofi girl on Youtube's life. With a sick decor, anime playing on a vintage TV and amazing drinks with great service, you can't go wrong with Kaitei. Directions: Head in to Ika ramen and make a right down the stairs. read more

Kaitei - a close up of a drink in a glass on a wooden table - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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How has it that I haven't written a review for this stellar speakeasy in Benson? Alas, here is my delayed review. Step through the hidden, back alley entrance, walk past the vending machine with Asian snacks, and through the fabric partition. It will seem like you've teleported to a cool, super hip bar in New York City. Graffiti and street art cover the walls while artificial cherry blossom branches hang down from the ceiling. The 90s R & B playlist is a nice touch (at least that's what was playing while we are there). Don't have a clue about Sake? Neither did I. The knowledgeable staff will make recommendations; anywhere from a low alcohol option or more "robust" selections. They also have a nice cocktail menu. If you have your own beverage in mind, not a problem. they will also mix that up for you too without giving you that "I don't know what you're talking about" look. I'll definitely be back again when hanging out in Benson. read more

Kaitei - Anyone remember this? Back for a limited time. Still don't like it! - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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How have I never been here before?! Seriously. It needs 10 stars. I thought I was a cocktail guy. I thought I was elite. I thought I knew what Omaha had to offer. All that's done now. What I know, now, is that Kaitei is the Ur-bar of Omaha cocktails. The true home of At Our Whim custom-made cocktail experiences. Where the in-the-know go to be known. Where the mixologists learn how to mix. Where we all go to be us. I love this place. I need this place. Kaitei - I'll be back. Always. read more

Kaitei is located underground in Omaha's hippest neighborhood Benson. This Japanese-style sake & cocktail bar is in the basement under Ika Ramen at 6109 Maple. When we first discovered this hidden gem, it was just a great place to grab a drink while waiting to be seated at upstairs Ika Ramen. This place quickly became our favorite bar because of its amazing bartenders, creative décor/theme, and fun snacks/food! Drew, the bartender is the star of the show here! Friendly demeanor and prompt service is what you can always expect from him. His fun personality and amazing mixology skills conveys a great experience every time! I always ask for something "Instagramable" and Drew delivers every single time! Not only it's the drinks instagramable, but also very delicious! Nevertheless, the arcade games, the old-school anime playing on the TV, and the Asian snack vending machine at Kaitei create a cultural and fun experience while sharing drinks with friends/loved ones! The Asian snacks are perfect for those that need something in their stomach to soak up all the alcohol they been consuming or just something extra to add to a night of bar hopping LOL - I don't make a lot of good decisions when I drink, and I had no idea what any of the snacks are inside that vending machine, but not this time! The drinks in me lead me to press this magical button (A7 I think) that brought me this absolutely delicious spicy/crunchy snack with a chicken breathing fire on the package! It's so good and now I'm addicted! I will come back just to snack! read more

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Kaitei is officially one of my favorite bars in Omaha. I encourage everyone to come here, even though I don't want anyone to come here to make it too crowded. First of all, it's got a speakeasy vibe because you enter through a random door in an alley... which I'm into. Or you can head downstairs from Ika. But there's something about the experience of passing by a bunch of smelly dumpsters to open a gateway to a Japanese-street-art-inspired oasis. Inside = vending machine of Japanese snacks, sweet murals, dim lighting with pops of color, and a TV playing old school TMNT. But onto the cocktails... they are all so incredibly innovative and expertly executed. Expect fun garnishes and both refined and approachable ingredients from Japanese whiskey to unfiltered sake to popping lychee boba. Even though their cocktail menu is super satisfying, I love just telling the mixologists, "this is what I like; make me something 'super dope'"... and they'll whip up a spectacular custom off-menu drink. (S/O to Drew and Alex!) Pro tip: order food to go at Ika, receive a buzzer, and you can bring your food downstairs to Kaitei to enjoy. read more

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This is an interesting place. Decor is fun, and it definitely has speakeasy vibes. The prices were a bit excessive for what was on offer, and the bartender wasn't super accommodating or friendly (we sat at the bar). The drinks were solid...I've had better, but I'd still come back if in the area. We might have caught this place on an off night (a Thursday?), because I feel like it really has a lot of potential. read more

I keep finding myself here on weekends and loving the hell out it. Kaitei is a unique bar to Omaha. It's small and intimate and a bit dingy (can't help it's 100-year-old basement location), but offers an experience like no other. Great drinks. Great, knowledgable bartenders with great customer service. Always a fun time. You can grab a bite upstairs at Ika before or after. Definitely check it out of you haven't stopped by already. read more

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I really enjoyed the unique experience this bar provided. A little easy to miss - we walked right past the blue light marking the entrance from the alley. The setting itself, you really do feel like you are in a basement, but the cherry blossoms strung throughout the ceiling offered a really nice touch. I had a hard time settling on a cocktail, but this time around I went with (I think) On a Whim, which was a creation the bartender made after he asked me a few questions about flavors and cocktails I typically enjoy. I thought it was outstanding. We also sampled some sake. I will be back to try more! read more

I've decided Kaitei is going to be my new Cheers bar in Benson. Basically, like Norm, people will eventually think I'm just part of the decor because I'm there so often. Alex Diimig, aka the Sam Malone of Kaitei, tends the bar and knows that chances are not all the patrons will be sake experts and obviously took that risk opening a sake bar in the Midwest, but in a refreshing way he's not a total dick about it. He's genuinely knowledgeable and takes what you like to normally drink on a night out and relates it to what sake you would enjoy. And also, like, name another place you can drink alcohol in a juice box!?!? Honestly if yelp would let me write a short review that just said, "Alcoholic Juice Box. Enough said." I would. So get your butts down to the basement of Ika and get yourself some sake. Or don't, so I can drink it all. read more

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Original drinks in an original bar. You'd never know this little hideaway was down here unless you happen to watch people go through this mystery door in Ika or someone brings you down yourself. It's quite dark in the basement which fits in well with the theme. It does get quite crowded so make sure you show up a little early if you want one of the few tables that are down there. read more

This place apparently has two entrances, Google maps directed us to an entrance in an alley, marked with a blue light. A short descent lands you at an unmarked door, opening into a graffitied hallway with a curtain at the end. Going through the curtain finally lands you in the bar, which is intimate, noisy, and a bit warm. There is an extensive sake list, and creative cocktails on the menu. There's also the option on the menu of letting the bartender ask a few questions and crafting a cocktail based off of your preferences. My first cocktail was a deliciously sweet and refreshing apple concoction called Eden Was An Inside Job. It was spilled before even one sip was taken and the bartender very kindly made another at no charge. That blew me away! The second drink was Hey Rickey, Shiso Fine...incredible! The taste is very hard to describe but it should be tried! For my final drink I did the "Feeling Lucky" bartender's choice option. The bartender asked whether I liked my drinks more citrusy or sour (citrusy!) and what type of alcohol I like usually (vodka). Whatever she came up with was awesome! I don't know how she made such a great drink based off of those two questions but kudos to her! Overall, I enjoyed my entire experience, from the fun of finding it to the music to the staff. I can't wait to return! read more

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Kaitei is a cool place. So cool, in fact, that I am not convinced that they should even let someone like me into the joint. I'm a middle aged dad for crying out loud, have some standards! Luckily, they do let me in and I enjoy it every time. The drinks are a lot of fun. I don't know much about the menu to be honest. I usually just randomly pick a drink from the menu that sounds interesting and go with it. I've not yet been disappointed doing that. I brought some friends in recently from out of town and they loved each of their drinks. You can't really go wrong with any of them. The place itself is very cool. Murals on the walls with vibrant neon colors. There is a snack machine with all kinds of Asian inspired snacks, though I've never actually bought anything. As others have said, if you want some food, go upstairs to Ika and order your food to go and you can bring it down with you to enjoy a meal with your beautifully crafted drink. I believe I have now hit all of the "speakeasy" locations in Omaha and I can say without a doubt that this one is right up there as one of my favorites. It's worth the trip if in the Benson area. read more

Finally made it to this cool bar. What took me so long?? I really liked the vibe of this place, and while pricy the drinks were top notch. Heading in through the alley way is the best way to enter in my opinion. Just a blue light and a graffiti mural taking you down a steep set of dark stairs. It feels like you should need to know a password in order for a giant bouncer to let you in...but yo7 can just walk in;) Inside it small, dark and dingy. It's truly an old basement in an old building. But with some quaint Asian inspired lighting and murals along with a cool bar it's a perfect spot. The bartender was friendly and knew his craft well. I will definitely be back! read more

Kaitei - Island of the Banished Good Boy - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Chill vibes, cool music, OJ Ninja Turtles on the tv and amazing drinks makes this my favorite spot. Their ever changing menu makes it easy to try something new. When in doubt talk to one of the super nice and knowledgeable bartenders and they will set you up with your new favorite drink. If you get the chance I highly recommend going to one of the special menu nights. I never thought a broccoli mixed drink would be one of the most delicious things to grace my taste buds. read more

This is probably the second or third time I have been to Kaitei. The Pacific Rim and the Old Fashion was amazing. I asked for An old fashion with Japanese whiskey. It was super smooth. Why Japanese whiskey? Because kaitei is a Japanese speakeasy underneath a Ramen restaurant. I would definitely go back! read more

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Great atmosphere, low key, prices were reasonable for such a selection! Staff is always friendly and polite 10/10 would recommend

Super cool speakeasy with an eclectic vibe. 90s R&B music combined with Anime inspired murals on the walls and a variety of sake and whiskey. Ask your bartender for their recommendation and they won't steer you wrong. For being a smaller space than their upstairs neighbor, it felt more open and just as intimate. Maybe it was the red lantern lighting, maybe it was the sake hitting me, but it felt so chill down there. read more

Kaitei - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Fantastic craft drinks and cozy atmosphere. Bar tenders were pleasant, knowledgeable and willing to work with your wants and needs. Overall great atmosphere... but I couldn't get my legs under the table ... read more

Kaitei - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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My friend and I spent some time at this speakeasy/bar a few weekends ago. She really loved it, where as I was less enthused. I enjoy the mysteriousness of finding the entrance and going into a basement, however the basement had a musty damp smell. Yes, I know basements are like that, but I just didn't want to smell that while sipping on cocktails. The decor had a lot Asian inspired graffiti, Asian snack vending machines and cherry blossoms, etc. and so the ambiance was fitting with the cocktail menu. The bartenders were super friendly and knowledgeable. I went with a rum based drink Flying Lotus. It was fresh, flavorful and easy to drink, but didn't seem like their was much rum in it. We also had sake that was fine. The vibe was pretty low key that evening and I would've expected a livelier placed based on the theming and atmosphere. read more

Unique little spot in Benson! It's a hidden gem with an interesting vibe and theme. Video games, asian theme, 90s R&B, anime, neon colors in a dark basement. You feel like you're in a different world for a little while. The drinks are unique and interesting! What a great place to get drinks before or after devouring a bowl of ramen upstairs in Ika. read more

Had a great time at this place with my wife and friends. Drink menu has a few different options and the bar tenders seem like they have a good knowledge of drinks. Only thing I didn't like is bar tenders were more worried about engaging in conversation with people sitting but not the people standing there ordering the drinks and waiting read more

Kaitei - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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Super hip spot. Great interior decor, feels like a different world. Great cocktail options and reasonable prices. Entrance is in the back, very tricky to find if you weren't seeking it out. I believe they have an entrance from IKA as well. read more

This is a tougher one to review as it was amazing pre-COVID. I have not been back since they opened back up and ownership changed. I have heard that with the ownership change, the quality of the drinks has gone down hill. read more

This is one of my favorite place in Benson. Recently just discovered my new best beer. It is a beer sake, called Stillwater! You can't find it in other places. read more

Easily my favorite cocktail bar in Omaha. Try the Ichi-Go, Ichi-E - it's a cocktail at the bartender's whim, and I've never had a bad one. Some above average, a lot good, and some exceptional. Check out the vending machine! Also an excellent sake selection. New menu is coming out soon! I've tried a few of the drinks that will be on it, and they're delicious. read more

Kaitei - A mezcal cocktail with a delicious foam on the top. - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

A true Benson Highlight. This Is one of the most fun bars to visit in not only Benson but Omaha as a whole. This bar has a super fun selection of Japanese liquors and some truly interesting cocktails. At the bar you will find some bowls of Japanese candies to enjoy for free. I usually find myself eating multiple every outing. My favorite way to enter is from the back and down some dark stairs. Upon entering the rear of the bar there is a vending machine full of foreign candy and snacks. Across from that is a free play machine of Tekken 2, which is fun and would be better if it was a Neo Geo cabinet with Samurai Shodown two but I might be partial. The walls are also adorned with ever-changing artwork from Hello Kitty to Gutatamo. I love that the bathrooms are not gender specific and just say wash your hands. Check this place out. read more

As the other reviews mentioned this is a unique place to explore. The drink I had was very good and I will say I might visit again to see if I have a different service experience. What prevents me from giving this place 5 stars was the service. In fact the service was so bad I almost gave it 3 stars. Perhaps it was because I went on a week night but it became very clear that because we were pretty much the only people there who didn't know the bartenders our service was VERY lacking. Upon arrival they gave us their regular menu and then before asking us what we wanted they took it back and then said it was Harry Potter night and gave us a new menu (it appeared that because of this theme their normal menu was not an option). Then the bartenders proceeded to take second round orders for all their friends (the other 6 patrons on the bar). Finally a new bartender showed up for her shift and noticed us and took our order (we were seated at the bar). We never got the chance to order a second round because the bartenders were too busy talking to their friends and each other. We finally decided to leave and try out another bar rather than give these bartenders any more money. It was dissapointing as I've very much looked forward to trying this place. I might give it another shot on a weekend, but this experience left a bad taste in my mouth. read more

Kaitei - Fun drink served in a cat glass. - Speakeasies Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

To be a lighthouse customer is always satisfying. When you are the first in your circle to discover a new Ethiopian restaurant, coffeehouse, bakery, bookstore, social media app or cryptocurrency investment opportunity, it makes you the coolest in your clique. Discoveries of this sort happen more frequently in the Big City where overstimulation leads to boredom raising the bar on new adventures. Imagine walking down the street, cutting through an alley to get to the next bar on a pub crawl and finding a nondescript door leading to something from an urban fantasy or cyberpunk novel. That's Kaitei in the Benson Underground. You will not find many markers on the road to Kaitei, which is purposeful. Kaitei is in the basement under Ika Ramen at 6109 Maple. It's far enough from the proverbial beaten path to be cool, but not so far off as to make anyone fear for their life. This Japanese-style underground punk club, sake and cocktail bar has no website or well-lit signage pointing the way. The "main" entrance to Kaitei is in the back alley marked by a blue light and watched over by what I'm calling a one-eyed kaiju on the wall. There is no TV in Kaitei, a welcome first for me, although co-owner and dynamic front man Alex Diimig says one might be added for sumo wrestling. In the meantime, one is free to focus on conversation, 70s Japanese hardcore punk and other thoughts without the usual Sports Zone updates filling the interstitial spaces. Katei embraces the risque, according to Diimig, who says he doesn't much care for the term "speakeasy" as it's been applied, but he does like the secrecy and adventure Kaitei brings to Omaha. "Kaitei is not a caricature of Japanese culture. It is a loving space where people can feel comfortable in their skin," Diimig said. "The journey begins once you enter the door. Katei invokes a sense of travel and the place is always in flux. It's a weird bar for weird people." You can get a $5 beer here, but with different sakes on rotation that is a wasted opportunity Cocktails are $8 to $13. Sake by the glass ranges from $6 to $13, $25 to $85 if you'd rather split a bottle. Beers include Kirin Lager ($5), Stillwater ($7), Sumo Sidecar ($7) and Echigo Stout ($9). There are no Happy Hours or regular cheap drink specials other than featured selections. For $10 you can have an Ichi-go At Our Whim cocktail, an improvised offering featuring attitude and four or five ingredients culled from your personal taste by the bartender. Bartender Colin served me a variation on the gin fizz featuring vodka, homemade green tea matcha syrup, and Calpico yogurt, the aptly named Matcha Made in Heaven ($12). Then I tried a Japanese highball with Suntory Toki whiskey, matcha syrup, apricot liqueur, lime juice and egg white ($10). No trip to a sake bar would be complete without a couple shots of rice wine so I had a glass of Joto and one of the demonslayer, Onikoroshi. Everything was great. I can't wait to try the rest of the menu with my Japanese punk friends and I hope to see your there. read more

Great little getaway! Well balanced drinks and terrific staff. Vibe is a bit gritty...in a good way.

Awesome little hidden bar underneath a ramen joint (you have to go into the ramen place and find the unmarked door).