Every seat in the house is the best one at Hojoko, one of the most anticipated openings of the year. Whether you're sitting in an old salon chair and playing Pac-Man (or eating on top of the classic gaming table), looking out onto the Verb Hotel's pool, watching a sumo match on the projector screen, or getting a close-up view of the sushi-making process, the new "izakaya" (Japanese tavern) has boundless energy and fun pop culture knick-knacks everywhere you look.
Tonight's the grand opening for Hojoko, a new venture that the O Ya team, Tim and Nancy Cushman, have been dreaming up for years. The duo also opened a New York City location of O Ya in early June, as well as a beautiful rooftop hotel lounge last year, Roof at Park South, also in New York. Hojoko is nestled inside of the rock-and-roll-themed Verb Hotel.
While O Ya provides an impeccable high-end sushi experience that tends toward special occasions and fancy nights out, Hojoko is its casual, loud, rock-and-roll sibling with Hello Kitty paraphernalia, a bingo cage full of Barbie heads, and staff members bedecked in the t-shirts of their favorite bands. Delve into the extensive sake list or try a Japanese-influenced cocktail, a Japanese or local craft beer, or wine.
Browse the #hellohojoko tag on Instagram to sneak a peek at some of the dishes from friends & family night, including hamachi kama, a dancing dogzilla, a burger that got big raves from at least a couple of diners, and lots more.
Current hours are 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, and a late-night menu is available. No reservations. Hello, Hojoko.
