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Sarah Gavigan’s New Gulch Izakaya’s Opening Delayed Until Monday

Wait just 48 more hours for onigiri, kara-age, and more from Gavigan’s newest passion project

Bar Otaku/Facebook

UPS is to blame for the delay of Sarah Gavigan’s new Gulch izakaya Bar Otaku’s opening to Monday, January 14 — as they’re awaiting the arrival of the kitchen’s Yaki grill before they can swing open the doors to fire up the yakitori and start pouring sake for the masses.

Bar Otaku will serve as an extension of Nashville native Gavigan’s popular Otaku community and an attempt to unify the popular brand which helped introduce the art of ramen to Music City.

The renovated space offers communal seating, private booths, dark walls, and light wood, allowing the Otaku-style art and illustrations (from local graffiti artists and artists from around the world) to shine. The 2,700-square-foot space has 103 seats, including 9 at the bar and 10 at the chef’s counter.

Bar Otaku’s originally intended opening date was Saturday, January 12. Gavigan shared a thoughtful post on her personal Instagram, saying, “This izakaya may have been born in 12 days, but it’s been living inside my mind for two decades. Simply bringing the Japanese pantry back onto my life has been a delight, and beautifully simplified. Make no mistake, this izakaya is about exactly that.”

Bar Otaku will open daily at 4 p.m. beginning Monday, January 14 and will be open “late”.

View this post on Instagram

Opening a restaurant is really damn hard. It’s a dance of sheer will and stamina to bring all the tiny little pieces together to make an experience come to life. But I always say ~ there is nothing more intoxicating then the beginning ~ and this beginning feels especially good. This Izakaya may have been born in 12 days, but it’s been living inside my mind for 2 decades. Simply bringing the Japanese pantry back into my life has been a delight, and beautifully simplified. Make no mistake, this Izakaya is about exactly that. Simple, beautiful, uncomplicated food that makes your crave it on the weekly. You are going to see some dishes and maybe think... “that’s it - a piece of tofu with ginger on it?” But I implore you to feel the big picture, taste the big picture. All the tiny pieces of an Izakaya work in concert; the vibe, the company, the drinks, the music and the food. Because maybe that sip of beer followed by that bite of yakitori while you listen to your friend tell a great story and hum that Gorillaz song over the speakers in your head, just makes you feel happy to be alive.....that feeling is my goal. I love my job, and I love my team. It’s been extraordinary to watch them help me bring this vision to life.. . Now @ups bring me my damn Yaki grill so we can get this party started!! . Opening will be MONDAY ~ we will assume regular hours 4p-LATE ~ every night. #barotaku

A post shared by Sarah Sciotto Gavigan (@sarahgavigan) on

Bar Otaku

505 12th Avenue South, , TN 37203 (615) 454-3946 Visit Website