High above the electric sprawl of Osaka, the Waldorf Astoria has unveiled its latest jewel: Canes & Tales, a cocktail bar that feels like stepping into a dream conjured by F. Scott Fitzgerald himself. On the 28th floor, beyond a dimly lit corridor and behind a mysterious dark green door marked only by a golden ampersand, lies a 47-seat sanctuary that channels the smoky, glittering spirit of Manhattan’s 1930s Golden Age of Jazz.
The bar‘s name is a wink to the art of storytelling and the elegance of a well-placed accessory—think of the swagger of a cane and the allure of a timeless tale. Inside, guests find a uniquely shaped bar as the centerpiece, a stage where Director of Mixology Dominic Dijkstra, Bar Manager Masahiko Ohama, and Bar Supervisor Shimba Ishikawa orchestrate nightly performances in glass and ice. This isn’t just a place to drink—it’s a place to watch liquid stories unfold.
Canes & Tales’ debut menu is a tribute to Fitzgerald’s Tales of the Jazz Age, with each of the 11 short stories reborn as a cocktail. It’s a love letter to an era when music was wild, nights were endless, and indulgence wasn’t just encouraged—it was essential. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button cocktail, for instance, invites guests to “age backwards,” choosing between non-alcoholic whisky, Glenfarclas 10 Year Old, or Glenfarclas 25 Year Old, mixed with fig-infused Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Mancino Rosso Vermouth, and Bénédictine DOM.
The food menu is a decadent fusion of Japan and New York: Coney Island Hot Dogs with house-made mustard, Reuben Sliders, bourbon-glazed fried chicken with gravy, and an Osaka-sourced charcuterie and cheese board. For pure indulgence, there’s caviar service—Kaluga or Ossetra—with options ranging from classic blinis to bamboo charcoal macarons. Sweet finishes come in the form of creamy New York cheesecake or playful signature s’mores.
More than just a bar, Canes & Tales is a storybook come to life, a stage for those who crave narrative and nostalgia in every sip. Open Wednesday through Sunday, this intimate hideaway doesn’t take reservations—just your willingness to disappear into the night.
To learn more, visit Waldorf Astoria Osaka’s official website.
