Wakana Murata

Tokyo Confidential - Tokyo, Japan

Born and raised in Japan, Wakana Murata (Waka for short) started her career in the corporate world, working in recruitment and marketing before realizing her love of bartending. Moving to Singapore to follow her dream, Murata landed a role as Bar Manager at Alchemist Beer Lab where she honed her skills behind the bar. Gaining recognition through global competitions such as Diageo World Class, Murata was recruited to join the opening team at The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon in 2020. Leading cocktail development for the hotel’s signature Gold Bar, she was instrumental in the bar’s recognition as #56 by Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2023 just a year after the bar’s opening. Joining Tokyo Confidential as Head Bartender, Wakana Murata looks forward to launching the new concept as an inclusive space in Tokyo, known for a good time and great hospitality. She describes the cocktails as simple and minimal, yet complex and delicate in flavor, with fun twists and Japanese elements. The menu highlights a shared love of agave and champagne by Murata and Tokyo Confidential’s founder Holly Graham, as well as lesser-known Japanese spirits such as Awamori and Nigori.