Walking through a curtain situated at the back of Taiwanese snack bar Gulp in Long Island City used to take you inside 929, a discreet cocktail bar that showcased Chinese flavors and meticulously curated playlists made up of Cantonese and Mandarin pop music. Today, though, 929 is no longer there. Instead, it’s been replaced by sister bar, 56709, to continue its mission–this time as an exploration of Japanese City Pop and anime.
Named after a lyric in Junko Ohashi’s 1984 hit “Telephone Number,” 56709 reimagines the sounds, sights, and textures of Japan’s Showa and Heisei eras–a time when neon lights, telephones, and upbeat City Pop melodies defined the generation.
That’s to say the space’s previously warm-hued lighting has been replaced with neon shades of blues and pinks–meant to mimic a futuristic Tokyo skyline–while Japanese posters, collectible records, and a curated display of retro telephones from the owners’ personal collections adorn the space. Essentially, it’s an ode to Asian culture come to life.
Once there, guests can sip on a menu of inventive twists on classic cocktails inspired by Japanese ingredients and named after Japanese musical legends whose personality and music inspired their creation. Standouts include Anri’s Spumoni (shiso plum), Seiko’s Daiquiri (genmaicha & honeydew), Junko’s Old Fashioned (persimmon & chestnut), Ryuichi’s Negroni (yuzu & sencha), and Mariya’s Whisky Sour (barley tea & kombu).
Four signature cocktails also pay tribute to beloved Japanese anime characters including the Pika Pika, inspired by Pokémon, the Arale, named after the main character in the 1980 classic Dr. Slump, and the Ranma, paying homage to Ranma 1⁄2. All signature cocktails are crafted with playful and unexpected ingredients from black tea and black chocolate to coconut oil, tomato, and even cheese. Mixologist Chaoyi Chen stated:
When we create a cocktail, we don’t just think about flavor—we dive deep into the story behind the inspiration.
To eat, small plates will continue to be provided by Gulp. Highlights include a reimagined Taiwanese street snack Baked Sweet Potato, a revival of the McDonald’s Hong Kong/Taiwan rollout of Shake Shake Fries, WuyuTsu Ochazuke, a traditional Japanese ochazuke (a rice and broth dish), and Fried Oysters.
And of course, your night will be set to the soundtrack of Japanese City Pop, a genre that has profoundly influenced Mando-pop and Canto-pop since the 1970s. Though, with the aim to spotlight a variety of Japanese music, you’ll also hear 90s and 2000s J-pop, Japanese R&B, and the vibrant pop culture of the Showa and Heisei eras. Co-owner Haoran Chen stated:
Growing up in Asia, Japanese culture had a huge influence on me…With the recent revival of Japanese City Pop, we saw an opportunity—not just to celebrate its return, but to spotlight the broader range of Japanese pop genres that shaped our upbringing along with Canto-pop and Mando-pop. We’re pairing those sounds with Japanese-inspired flavors in cocktail form that have shaped our palates, bringing together two deeply personal influences in a new and immersive way.
All that is to say that though we certainly can’t wait for 56709 to become our new go-to, there’s no need to mourn the former bar–929 has plans to move to a new location later this year!
Learn more about 56709 and make a reservation on their website.
📍 4245 27th Street