Fairmont Tokyo Hosts "DRIFTWOOD COCKTAIL SESSIONS" on May 8th (Friday) with Bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York
Key facts
- Fairmont Tokyo Hosts "DRIFTWOOD COCKTAIL SESSIONS" on May 8th (Friday) with Bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York
- Fairmont Tokyo's "DRIFTWOOD" bar will host a one-night-only cocktail session on May 8th, featuring renowned bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Canada. Grant, a recipient of "World Class Global Bartender of the Year," will present five signature cocktails from his "Library Bar."
- Source: PR Times
- Date: April 30, 2026
Direct answer
Fairmont Tokyo's "DRIFTWOOD" bar will host a one-night-only cocktail session on May 8th, featuring renowned bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Canada. Grant, a recipient of "World Class Global Bartender of the Year," will present five signature cocktails from his "Library Bar."
- Citation
- Fairmont Tokyo Hosts "DRIFTWOOD COCKTAIL SESSIONS" on May 8th (Friday) with Bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York (April 30, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- April 30, 2026
Fairmont Tokyo's "DRIFTWOOD" bar will host a one-night-only cocktail session on May 8th, featuring renowned bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Canada. Grant, a recipient of "World Class Global Bartender of the Year," will present five signature cocktails from his "Library Bar."
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 14:31
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(Left) Bartender James Grant (Right) Interior of DRIFTWOOD
"DRIFTWOOD COCKTAIL SESSIONS" is a cocktail series organized by Fairmont Tokyo's Bar Director, Hideyuki Saito. It has previously welcomed acclaimed bartenders from Japan and abroad, creating special evenings set against the magnificent night views of the city.
This third installment welcomes James Grant, Beverage Director at "Fairmont Royal York," a landmark hotel in Toronto that has been loved across generations since its opening in 1929.
Mr. Grant is a globally recognized bartender, having been named "World Class Global Bartender of the Year" in 2021 by Diageo and "Canada's 100 Best Bartender of the Year" in 2022.
Grant, who demonstrates unparalleled expertise and creativity across three distinct bars within the Fairmont Royal York, led the cocktail bar "Library Bar" to the 19th position in "North America's 50 Best Bars," announced this month on April 23rd. The "Library Bar," established in 1972, utilizes the space that was once the hotel's library. It offers "storytelling cocktails" inspired by the surrounding books, inviting guests into a memorable world they'll want to revisit, or a new, as-yet-undiscovered world.
On the day of the event, five signature cocktails from Mr. Grant's "Library Bar" will be served. Enjoy a one-night-only cocktail session where the legacy built by Fairmont worldwide converges with tradition and innovation.
Fairmont Tokyo plans to continue holding "DRIFTWOOD COCKTAIL SESSIONS" regularly in the future.
■ James Grant Profile
Fairmont Royal York Beverage Director
Globally acclaimed mixologist James Grant began his career in corporate public relations. His time in London sparked a desire to work as a bartender's assistant at a local pub. Through his unique sensibility and unwavering curiosity, he quickly rose to the forefront of the industry. He then returned to his hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, to manage "Little Hong Kong," a 16-seat speakeasy. Here, he established a philosophy of luxury hospitality that caters to each guest individually. He has also gained experience at highly acclaimed and innovative bars in the industry, including "Woodwork," "Baijiu," and "Pablo." Currently, he showcases exceptional expertise and creativity in each of the spaces within the Fairmont Royal York.
At "CLOCKWORK Champagne & Cocktails," a cocktail program is developed to transport guests on a journey through time, embodying a sophisticated world of luxury along with harmonious flavors. At "Library Bar," inspired by the book-lined space, each cocktail is imbued with a narrative, inviting guests into memorable worlds or new, unknown territories. Furthermore, at "REIGN," classic cocktails like "Cosmopolitan" and "Irish Coffee" are reinterpreted in a modern way, offering innovative and inspired drinks. Through these initiatives, Fairmont Royal York has established its position as a destination that celebrates the special moments in its guests' lives. James consistently emphasizes building meaningful connections with each guest, accurately grasping their needs in the moment, and creating experiences that are fitting for those needs.
■ "DRIFTWOOD COCKTAIL SESSIONS Vol.3" Overview
* Location: "DRIFTWOOD" on the 43rd floor
* Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
* Time: From 20:00 *Cocktails are limited in quantity and will be served until they run out.
FAQ
What are the key facts in this article?
Fairmont Tokyo's "DRIFTWOOD" bar will host a one-night-only cocktail session on May 8th, featuring renowned bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Canada. Grant, a recipient of "World Class Global Bartender of the Year," will present five signature cocktails from his "Library Bar."
What is the direct answer?
Fairmont Tokyo's "DRIFTWOOD" bar will host a one-night-only cocktail session on May 8th, featuring renowned bartender James Grant from Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, Canada. Grant, a recipient of "World Class Global Bartender of the Year," will present five signature cocktails from his "Library Bar."
What is the source and date?
PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000033.000148604.html | April 30, 2026