A Rare Taste of Tokyo: Bar Benfiddich Takes Over W Maldives in a Legendary Cocktail Residency

06 July, 2026

For cocktail enthusiasts, there are few reservations more coveted than a seat at Bar Benfiddich. Hidden on the ninth floor of a nondescript Shinjuku commercial building, Tokyo’s legendary 15-seat hideaway has earned an almost mythical reputation. This August, that myth comes to the Maldives.

From August 18 to 21, 2026, W Maldives—the luxury private-island resort home to one of the Maldives’ best house reefs—welcomes internationally acclaimed Japanese cocktail pioneer Hiroyasu Kayama and his legendary Bar Benfiddich for an exclusive three-day residency. As part of The Wavemaker Edit’s Island Alchemy series, this marks a rare international appearance for one of the world’s most sought-after cocktail experiences.

The Legend of Bar Benfiddich

Step out of the elevator in Shinjuku, and you leave 21st-century Japan behind. Inside Bar Benfiddich, you enter a fantastical, apothecary-inspired universe where the boundaries between past and present, reverie and reality dissolve. The bar is lined with homemade tinctures, infusions, aged herbal liquors, taxidermy owls, over 100 varieties of absinthe, and one-of-a-kind vintage glassware. It feels less like a bar and more like an 18th-century alchemist’s workshop.

Currently ranked No. 18 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2026 and No. 9 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026—following its recognition as The Best Bar in Japan 2025—Bar Benfiddich is celebrated for its deeply personal approach to cocktail creation. There is no menu. Every cocktail begins with conversation, curiosity, and a genuine connection between Kayama and his guest.

The Mind Behind the Magic

Hiroyasu Kayama is not merely a bartender. He is a mixologist, farmer, ingredient curator, scientist, and collector of forgotten traditions. He grows many of his own botanicals on his family’s farm in Saitama, just 90 kilometres from Tokyo—hand-carrying roots, foraged flora, and vegetation native to Japan into the bar.

From wormwood and fennel to juniper berries and anise, everything is harvested to enhance his bespoke creations. Kayama’s farm-to-glass philosophy means every drink contains something of that land—twigs snapped fresh from mizunara or juniper trees might be used to stir a drink, while mint and fennel find their way into a farm-fresh Julep. Antique tools share the bar with centuries-old books; indigenous spirits sit beside freshly harvested herbs.

No two visits to Bar Benfiddich are ever the same. Since your last, Kayama might have tasted an indigenous drink in some remote country, unearthed a new recipe from a dusty book, or planted something on his farm that’s just ready to harvest. It is this philosophy—where craftsmanship, storytelling, and discovery converge in every glass—that makes Bar Benfiddich one of the most sought-after reservations in Asia, and one that is rarely experienced outside Tokyo.

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Island Alchemy: The Residency

August 18–19: Intimate Guest Shifts at SIP

On August 18 and 19, guests are invited to SIP, the resort’s overwater cocktail bar, for intimate guest shifts inspired by the spirit of Bar Benfiddich. Kayama will present four bespoke cocktails, including signature creations and original recipes inspired by the colours, botanicals, and rhythms of island life.

Guests are encouraged to lean in, ask questions, and discover the stories behind each creation directly from the master himself. Available exclusively at W Maldives during the residency, each cocktail reflects a unique dialogue between Japanese craftsmanship and the natural beauty of the Maldives through Kayama’s own lens.

August 21: The Celebration at WET Deck

The residency culminates on August 21 at WET Deck, where Island Alchemy shifts into celebration. Set against sweeping ocean views and accompanied by a live DJ, Kayama’s inventive creations take on a brighter, more playful expression through an exclusive cocktail menu designed for a vibrant daytime poolside party. Here, Japanese precision meets the unmistakable energy of W Maldives.

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A Word from W Maldives

“The Wavemaker Edit was created to connect our guests with the people redefining culture around the world,” said Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives. “Hiroyasu Kayama embodies everything Island Alchemy stands for – creativity, craftsmanship, curiosity, and a genuine sense of discovery. Experiences like this become part of the island’s story, giving guests the chance to encounter extraordinary talent in a setting unlike anywhere else.”

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Plan Your Journey

Guests looking to immerse themselves in the island’s ever-evolving calendar of cultural experiences can book the Original Wavemaker package, available until July 31, 2026. This offer includes:

• A minimum four-night stay

• Seaplane transfers

• Half-board dining for two adults

Creating the perfect base from which to experience the next wave of The Wavemaker Edit.

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Why This Matters

For cocktail pilgrims who have dreamed of securing a seat at Bar Benfiddich, this residency offers something extraordinary: the chance to experience Kayama’s wizardry not in a cramped Shinjuku hideaway, but beneath the Maldivian sun, surrounded by turquoise waters and the energy of one of the world’s most iconic luxury resorts.

This is more than a guest shift. It is a rare convergence of two worlds—the intimate, apothecary-like precision of Tokyo’s finest bar and the free-spirited, island-infused luxury of W Maldives. For four days in August, the magic of Bar Benfiddich comes to the Maldives. And for those lucky enough to secure a seat, it promises to be unforgettable.

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Bar Benfiddich Residency at W Maldives
August 18–21, 2026
Book the Original Wavemaker package by July 31, 2026

BOOK NOW

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