How much do you trust your bartender? A new class of Southern bars is asking guests to leave it all in the hands of the mixologist, adopting a format that’s as much about the experience as it is the drinks. While it’s been dubbed omakase—a word that means “I’ll leave it up to you” in Japanese—the setup is more akin to a tasting menu, with three to five courses.
Each drink isn’t necessarily a full serving of alcohol; no one wants their guests stumbling home. Prices vary and reflect the typically elaborate techniques and high-end ingredients—and the occasional theatrics—that go into making the experience special. Some cocktail omakases include paired small bites, but if there’s food involved, it takes its cues from beverage.
