Canes & Tales at Waldorf Astoria Osaka has launched The Essence Series, a new annual initiative by Hilton’s luxury brands to bring together the bar community across Asia-Pacific. The program centers on guest shifts, seminars and cultural exchanges designed to inspire creativity and strengthen connections among bartenders, industry leaders and enthusiasts in major cities throughout the region.
Over several days in Osaka, The Essence Series offers an immersive lineup of events that highlight the city’s bar culture and culinary heritage. The program features masterclasses, panel discussions, guest shifts and cultural activities, all led by top talent from Hilton bars and respected figures across the wider Asia-Pacific cocktail scene.
© Courtesy of Canes & Tales
“We’re excited to welcome the bar community from Asia-Pacific to discover a little taste of Osaka through our first events under The Essence Series,” said Dominic Dijkstra, Director of Mixology at Waldorf Astoria Osaka. “Long known as ‘the nation’s kitchen’ for its rich food culture, Osaka is now gaining recognition in mixology. Our aim is to celebrate and elevate the city’s cocktail scene across the region while creating meaningful educational opportunities for the local community.”
The multi-day schedule at Canes & Tales, in partnership with Perrier, includes seminars and guest shifts led by leading industry figures. The program is tailored for trade members and cocktail professionals seeking practical knowledge, inspiration and cultural exchange.
Wednesday, Dec. 17:
- 2–4 p.m.: 50 Best Bars Academy Chair Seminar with insights from Nicholas Coldicott (Japan) and John Ng (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau).
- 7–11 p.m.: Guest shift featuring Ethan Lui (CMYK), John Ng (50 Best Academy Chair) and Alex Gilmour (Manhattan Singapore).
Thursday, Dec. 18:
- 2–4 p.m.: 50 Best Bars Bartender Seminar with contributions from Rogerio Igarashi Vaz (Bar Trench) and Yasuhiro Kawakubo (Punch Room Tokyo).
- 7–11 p.m.: Guest shift featuring Rogerio Igarashi Vaz (Bar Trench), Yasuhiro Kawakubo (Punch Room Tokyo), Song Terbsiri (The Loft Bangkok) and Vincent Han (Long Bar Shanghai).
© Courtesy of Canes & Tales
In addition to seminars and guest shifts, participants will take part in curated cultural experiences, including incense-making, a traditional knife workshop and an Osaka bar tour. These activities are intended to deepen attendees’ appreciation of local craft, culinary tradition and the city’s unique hospitality culture.
Canes & Tales at Waldorf Astoria Osaka is the inaugural host of The Essence Series, and Hilton plans to expand the program with annual events at other luxury hotels across the Asia-Pacific region. Located on the 28th floor, Canes & Tales draws inspiration from the Golden Age of Jazz of the 1930s. The intimate 47-seat bar sits at the end of a dimly lit corridor behind a dark green door, marked discreetly by a small gold ampersand, offering a refined, atmospheric setting for these signature events.
The Essence Series aims to create a platform for knowledge sharing, cultural exchange and professional growth within the region’s bar community, while showcasing Osaka’s evolving role in contemporary mixology.