What is Ethical Spirits?
Based in Tokyo, Ethical Spirits is more than a gin brand; it’s a movement.
Their philosophy: “Circular Spirits”, turning what’s wasted into what’s worthy.
They distill premium gin from ingredients that would otherwise be discarded: sake lees, cacao husks, surplus beer… turning leftovers into liquid art.
Founded in 2021, they’ve quickly become one of Japan’s most forward-thinking distilleries. Each bottle tells a story; LAST, made from sake lees, or REVIVE, crafted from unused beer during the pandemic. It’s a fresh take on sustainability, where taste and ethics finally share the same glass.
What is the Tokyo Riverside Distillery?
Located in Kuramae, in the heart of Taitō-ku, Tokyo Riverside Distillery is Ethical Spirits’ physical home.
A glass-fronted, street-level distillery where copper stills gleam under soft light, right there, in the middle of the city.
It’s Japan’s first “circular distillery”, a mix of production lab, concept store, and creative hub. At street level, you can literally grab a gin & soda to go, stroll outside, and sip while watching Tokyo’s life go by. The vibe is clean, open, and relaxed, a perfect match for their concept: craft doesn’t need to hide behind luxury walls.
You can smell and buy their spirits. Each one is introduced like a perfume, sprayed onto cards for you to discover the botanicals. It’s educational, sensory, and beautifully simple.
What is the Stage Bar?
Upstairs, above the distillery, sits Stage Bar, a cozy, speakeasy-style space where their spirits come to life.
→ Reserve your seat here. (You might need a VPN if you’re not in Japan)
This is where Tokyo’s quiet side meets creative mixology. The bar team crafts cocktails that reinterpret classics, use clean techniques, add thoughtful twists, and feature a modern Japanese touch. Their Dressed but Not Famous is an elegant rework of the Naked & Famous, subtle yet powerful. Pair that with one of their signature dishes, every plate and drink follows the same “ethical” philosophy: minimal waste, maximum flavor.
The space itself is warm and minimalist, with copper accents, concrete textures, and soft lighting.
From the Distillery to the Stage
What makes the experience brilliant is the flow:
You start downstairs, surrounded by stills and bottles, maybe with a gin & soda in hand. Then you head upstairs, and suddenly, you’re inside a bar that feels like an extension of the distillery’s soul.
It’s not two separate worlds; it’s one story, told in two chapters.
First, you see how gin is made. Then, you taste how it’s interpreted.
🍸 Gervazino’s Insight
I absolutely loved my night at Tokyo Riverside Distillery & Stage Bar by Ethical Spirits. There’s something surreal about seeing a fully operational distillery sitting right on a Tokyo street corner and then being able to grab a to-go gin & soda before heading upstairs to one of the coolest bars in town.
The welcome was genuinely warm, the bartenders super chill, confident, and sharp with their twists on the classics. They clearly care about what they’re doing, but without any pretentiousness.
As someone who works in hospitality, this place hit home for me: clean, creative, purpose-driven. It’s that rare mix of craftsmanship, ethics, and good energy.
🎥 Watch the Short Video From My Visit
📲 Follow My Journey
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More destinations coming soon, stay tuned for the next stop in the Tasting Japan series.