The Magic Number

Cinquecento

Shinsaibashi

Rusty Coulson hasn’t been idle during his time in Japan. The King of Shinsaibashi has been instrumental in creating some of Minami’s finest and most memorable nightspots, and this time last year he was at it again. Cinquecento, a year old last month, has become phenomenally popular under his stewardship.

A marked departure from his former haunts Rakan and the Playpen, Cinquecento is a stylish martini bar, the first of its kind in Osaka — the atmosphere here is a little more mature. It is a great place to come for a quiet, yet sophisticated, midweek drink or as a jumping-off point for your weekend excesses, no matter if you are a martini aficionado or otherwise. Saturdays are “insanely busy”, so get there early if you want a seat. Sundays are also packed, with the added draw of live music.

Despite this, the international staff are attentive, and can all speak English. Of course, they mix the best martinis in Kansai, and their efforts are roundly appreciated. Cinquecento is gaining ground all the time, getting busier and busier as its reputation grows. The clientele are an evenly balanced mix of foreigners and Japanese, and the bar has a reputation for friendliness.

The bar’s interior is elegant, with exposed brickwork mingling with the dark wood furnishings. The bar takes center-stage, as is appropri-ate, and comfortably seats about thirty. Tables orbiting the bar offer extra seating and, as many will be able to attest, the weekend crowd fills the place to standing-room-only capacity. The music suits the mood, with funk and soul dominating the playlist. As opposed to Rusty’s previous endeavors, the music is atmospheric, rather than the focus.

The menu is extensive and international, ranging from pastas and fish and chips to chijimi (Korean-style okonomiyaki) and spring rolls. Nobu Nagai, a chef of some twenty years experience, is in the kitchen and is constantly changing and improving his repertoire.

Of course, the emphasis is on their cocktails. There are over 100 martinis to choose from, and the drink menu has undergone a recent overhaul. There is something for everyone’s tastes, from the simple, Bond-esque vodka martini to the Ben Stiller-inspired Zoolander, a purple concoction of unknown origin. Sex in the City enthusiasts can stop worrying about the show’s impending finale by downing a few Cosmos. There is also ample choice for non-martini drinkers, with a range of mixed drinks and draft beer available.

The name comes from the Italian word for five hundred, and this theme is more than just mere decoration. All drinks and menu items come at a convenient, and cheap, 500 yen. Rusty has laid down the gauntlet — anyone who can pronounce the name of the bar correctly will get a free drink.

Rusty’s empire continues to grow. His new venture, Seven, recently opened a short walk away from the Hachiman-suji site of Cinquecento. He is a man that knows what Osaka’s drinkers want, and has made it his mission to provide it for them.

Cinquecento’s Big Five:

1) Cinquecento House Martini
2) Apple Martini
3) Chocolate Martini
4) Lemon Drop Martini
5) Zoolander

Cinquecento
1F Matsumiya Bldg., 10-1-2 Higashi Shinsaibashi
Open Everyday: 7.30pm till late
Closest stn: Nagahoribashi Stn., Sakaisuji Subway Line (see KS map)
Tel: 06-6213-6788

Text & Photos: Euan Mckirdy