Saikindō
Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Global Market, Second Street, Al Maryah Island
Saikindō makes sound a reason to choose a bar. Its entrance through an atelier introduces a space where the listening experience has received as much attention as the drinks. Timber speaker forms, a central DJ position and intimate seating give the room a strong identity without requiring guests to treat conversation as an interruption. Wallpaper’s assessment describes the relationship between its acoustic design and the cocktail programme, while FACT’s review praises both the expressive drinks and the robata cooking. The menu gives Japanese ingredients an international frame. Wasabi and tomato dashi bring savoury depth to Big Poppa; other serves explore tea, sesame or citrus. These are useful starting points for a conversation about flavour, rather than a requirement to follow a prescribed tasting sequence. The private Kūkan room offers a separate route for a bespoke gathering. For an ordinary evening, arrive at the bar and lounge as a walk-in. The online reservation link is specifically for the Robata Room, so a dining request does not secure lounge seating. Saikindō’s first position is the commissioning editor’s selection; the guide does not present it as an independently awarded world ranking.