Shigefumi Kabashima
NR
Born in Saga, Japan, Shigefumi “Shige” Kabashima began his bartending career in Tokyo, where he built a strong foundation in Japanese cocktail culture. He later moved to New York City, where he refined his technique at the legendary Angel’s Share, a trailblazing bar that helped define the city’s modern cocktail movement.
In 2016, Shige opened... READ MORE
Born in Saga, Japan, Shigefumi “Shige” Kabashima began his bartending career in Tokyo, where he built a strong foundation in Japanese cocktail culture. He later moved to New York City, where he refined his technique at the legendary Angel’s Share, a trailblazing bar that helped define the city’s modern cocktail movement.
In 2016, Shige opened ROKC (Ramen Oysters Kitchen Cocktails) in Harlem, introducing a one-of-a-kind concept that fused Japanese ramen and inventive cocktails. The critically acclaimed spot quickly earned national recognition, landing on multiple “Best Bars in America” lists.
He followed this success with NR, a restaurant and cocktail bar on the Upper East Side that opened in 2019. There, Shige continues to push the boundaries of Japanese mixology, drawing on seasonal ingredients and techniques like fat-washing and sous-vide infusions to craft his signature drinks.
Shige’s influence extends far beyond New York. He has overseen the cocktail program at Jamaica’s Trident Hotel, developed the beverage concept for the now-closed Katherine NYC in Midtown, and co-owns Anthem, a bar in Cape Town, South Africa.
Today, he remains the owner and director of NR, and continues to shape global cocktail culture through international collaborations, inventive programming, and relentless passion for hospitality
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