Opening its doors on Monday, July 28, Katana is a 45- seater sake and shochu cocktail bar in the heart of Indiranagar that bridges Japanese tradition with Bangalore’s evolving palate. Inspired by traditional izakayas, reimagined with a sense of modern ease, Katana is designed for those who appreciate depth in flavour, detail in experience, and warmth in atmosphere.
The space is co-founded by Sandesh Reddy, the mind behind brands like Sandy’s, OG Ramen, and Tokyo Diner, and Prasanna Pandarinathan, a photographer, cookbook author, and longtime Japanese food lover. Having lived in New York for nearly two decades — where Japanese food was a weekly ritual — Prasanna found herself searching for something that didn’t quite exist back home: a space that felt as culturally grounded as it was easy to walk into. Katana is that place.
“Katana is inspired by Japanese izakaya culture,” shares Sandesh. “We wanted to create a space that showcases Japanese ingredients in a fun, approachable style — one where the quality is serious, but the vibe is not.”
The menu at Katana leans into Japanese-influenced small plates — elegant, intentional dishes with a quiet complexity that invites unhurried dining.The kitchen is led by Chef Sanjit Biswakarma, under the culinary direction of Sandesh Reddy himself. The menu pulls from tradition, but with subtle twists and a freshness-first approach that never overshadows the ingredient.
Signature dishes include corn custard on shokupan toast with chilli oil, Pickled watermelon with tiger’s milk emulsion and Spicy salmon rice bowl with ikura and bonito flakes
Behind the bar is Pritish Shetty, whose work across JW Marriott Mumbai and Goa’s cocktail circuit makes him a natural fit for Katana’s understated yet layered bar program. Here, sake and shochu take centre stage — reinterpreted into modern classics and playful originals.
The cocktail list is clean and seasonal, crafted to complement the food rather than compete with it. Each drink is deliberate — fewer ingredients, more clarity — with occasional nods to nostalgia and regional produce.
Designed by George Seemon, Design Director at Stapati, the 1400-square-foot space is built around contrast — raw textures and soft light, stone surfaces and warm wood. It’s moody, minimal, and expressive, without being loud. The kind of space you sink into — whether at the bar or around a table lined with plates and stories.
Katana was always meant to feel lived-in. Not flashy. Not forced. Just honest, refined, and welcoming.
Katana is built for those who love Japanese food, but also for those who are just discovering it. The crowd is intentional, culturally curious, and as open to a night out as they are to a quiet drink. It’s not about being traditional or trendy — it’s about serving something thoughtfully crafted, with soul.
The menu will evolve, the playlist will shift, but the spirit of the place remains the same: low-key, high-quality, and endlessly inviting.
For More Information :
- Address: Ground Floor, No. 3168, Indiranagar Double Road, HAL 2nd Stage, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560008
- Opening Date: Monday, 28th July 2025
- Operating Hours:
- Weekdays: 6 PM – 11 PM
- Weekends: 6 PM – 1 AM
- Reservations: 080-48521098 | Walk-ins welcome
- Instagram: @katanablore
