Sake Bar Unlike Anything Else to Hit Temple Street

After plans surfaced last week for SiSiG and Poco Enzo in Historic Filipinotown, yet another unique establishment is looking to plant its roots in the neighborhood. Jōdosakébar, an original sake bar concept located at 2126 W Temple St., will add an educational element to the bar scene. 

“When you’re in the sake world, there’s a lot of diehards and you can encounter a lot of people who know a lot,” Owner Josh Janowicz told What Now Los Angeles (WNLA). “But when it comes to the everyday lamen, there’s a lot to learn.” His main goal is to make people understand and that “tasting time” will be discounted and off-hours. 

Jōdosakébar will offer single servings of sake–similar to the “One Cup” Ozeki saki servings–as well as small bite Japanese fried chicken. Jōdosakébar will offer a lot of variety, including draft sake, which is not very common for sake bars. If you are or are not one of those everyday lamens, Jōdosakébar will offer affordable premium sake. Distributors have a really good variety that, while may not be as good as Japan, offers people a better experience and more variety of sake than they might get in the L.A. area. 

Jōdosakébar is currently waiting on city approval to begin its full-on remodel ahead of opening. “This neighborhood is so cool and there are so many things waiting for their green light,” Janowicz said. “The things opening prior to the pandemic are staying open.” 

COVID-19 has slowed things down for Janowicz and the neighboring businesses, but he says these unique and diverse businesses are adapting to these ongoing changes. At this point, there is no set timeline on when Jōdosakébar will open.