The Last Call Opens Its Doors At 588 Grand Street

Yakitori, edamame, & drinks. Photo: @thelastcallbrooklyn

The Last Call has opened its doors to Grand Street as the new bar in town. Since rebranding and opening at the end of November, The Last Call has brought a surge of Japanese culture to Grand Street through its Tokyo-style hi-fi audio setup and range of Japanese bar foods. If you remember this spot as Koko’s, don’t worry the same owners are still there taking great care of the customers and the space.

Noriko Jimbo, owner, has made it a point to bring a piece of her Japanese heritage to Williamsburg. The Last Call features yakitori skewers Thursday through Sunday and ramen Monday through Wednesday (provided by @brooklynramennyc). Jimbo returned to Japan last October to study at a yakitori school in Tokyo. For three intensive weeks, she studied yakitori culinary techniques for 14 hours a day. The result of those hours were brought back to Brooklyn, serving as the foundation for The Last Call’s menu of different cuts of yakitori skewers.

Photo: @thelastcallbrooklyn

Yakitori and ramen are not the only new aspects of The Last Call - they are also boasting a hi-fi sound system, inspired by Tokyo hi-fi audio lounges. The bar hosts DJs on Fridays and Saturdays, while bartenders handle the setlist every other day. Though not marketing themselves as a “hi-fi audio lounge”, BK Mag has featured them in a list of Tokyo-style audio lounges. This groovy spot is bringing a variety of new foods and sounds to Grand Street, be sure to check them out!

Cover Photo: The Last Call

Koko's Opens at 588 Grand Street

Bao bun from Koko’s

Noriko and her husband Diego recently opened Koko’s, a fusion restaurant serving Nikkei food, which is a Japanese-Peruvian culinary and cultural fusion. Diego’s brother, Cesar is the chef serving up unique bites that marry Japanese technique with Peruvian flavors. The couple, who are a Japanese and Peruvian duo, have brought a taste of their home in Peru to Brooklyn. In fact, Peru has one of the largest Japanese populations in South America.

Named for the couple’s daughter, Koko’s has transformed their space into a fun and chic hangout with ample table room, full bar and a backyard. Be sure to try the Machu Pisco cocktail along with a ceviche and bao bun, or any of the other tasty options! This family-owned spot has tons of heart and soul, and we’re so excited to give them a warm Grand Street welcome to the neighborhood.