Sake Ceremony - Nobu London Portman Square

So as to create minimal disruption to the guests in the hotel, the stage where the main ceremony would take place, was set up overnight. The brief was simple and elegant. The stage had to completely match the marble flooring of the lobby area. As guests arrived in the evening, they were greeted by Nobu hosts and then while drinking champagne, sampled some of the best and newest Nobu bowl food and canapes. Musicians stood on podiums round the area to get the guests in the mood for the grand entrance of the hotel’s founders and owners. As Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert de Niro walked in, the sound of the traditional Japanese Taiko drummers bellowed throughout the building. On the balcony around the lobby area, there were 10 alcoves – each of which had it’s own drummer and drum kit. As the entrance set was played, the guests were totally mesmerised and wowed. Once the hosts made it onto the stage, and after a couple of speeches, the most important part of the Sake ceremony took place, the breaking of the Sake barrels and the Sake to be drunk by everyone. The party then continued to the early hours in the Nobu Bar with guest DJ Fat Tony and some special Nobu cocktails on tap. This was one event that was an honour to be involved in and a wonderful experience.