Interview with Dimple owner Hirotaka Miyauchi
We spoke with Hirotaka Miyauchi, owner of Bar Dimple, about how he came to open the bar, the secret behind its name, its features and special touches, and his plans for the future.
The name comes from his own dimples and the famous whisky brand Dimple
Where did the bar's name come from?
Miyauchi
The name “Dimple” means “dimple” in English.
I have dimples when I smile, and people around me seem to have thought of them as my trademark for a long time.
There is also a famous Irish whisky brand called Dimple.
So, in keeping with a bar, I combined the whisky brand Dimple with my own distinctive dimples to name the bar “Dimple.”
I also hope that customers will leave our bar smiling so broadly that they get dimples.
Before opening Dimple, I worked for about six years at a bar in Kurashiki called “Dana Doo.”
I had always been interested in bars and wanted to open one of my own someday.
After earning my sommelier qualification, I decided to go independent.
That led me to open Bar Dimple.
Dimple opened in May 2013.
Initially featuring wine, the bar shifted its focus to whisky and cocktails
Was anything difficult after opening?
Miyauchi
The difficult part was changing direction partway through.
Since I had earned my sommelier qualification, I initially made wine our main attraction.
But the number of places promoting wine in the same way grew considerably...
So I changed direction to set us apart from other bars and bring out what makes Dimple unique.
I shifted from featuring wine to focusing mainly on whisky and cocktails.
I wanted to create a space where people could enjoy a leisurely time while savoring whisky and cocktails.
I made it a place designed as a space where adults can enjoy themselves, for people to visit as their second or third stop of the evening.
Another challenge was attracting customers.
It's in a hard-to-find location, so I struggled at first (laughs).
Thoughtful touches create a space where guests can relax
What are Dimple's distinctive features and special touches?
Miyauchi
As I mentioned earlier, Dimple's defining feature is the effort we put into creating a space where guests can take their time.
For example, many customers come in pairs and sit at the counter, so we arrange the lighting to fall between the two people when they sit down.
We also installed lighting about the size of a glass in the counter's work area.
Since people have made the effort to come to a bar, I want them to enjoy watching us prepare their drinks.
The interior is a little dim, so we made sure to illuminate only the glasses brightly.
In this way, we create a special atmosphere unique to Dimple for our guests to enjoy.
We also leave plenty of space between seats.
Even when we're full, it doesn't feel cramped, so you can relax and enjoy your time here.
He hopes to train a successor and try a new field in the future
What would you like to do with the bar going forward?
Miyauchi
I'd like to train a staff member to take over.
I also have a desire to try running a restaurant in a field other than bars.
Before starting Dimple, I also did cooking.
The dishes we can make at the current bar are limited by the equipment.
So I'd like to try running a place where I can cook a variety of things.
I'm still thinking about what kind of place it would be (laughs).
From the Writer
Bar Dimple feels like a place filled with owner Miyauchi's wish for guests to “relax and enjoy themselves.”
The thoughtful details, such as the space between seats and the way the lighting falls, seem to reflect Miyauchi's personality.
With his wonderful smile and friendly manner, chatting with Miyauchi is sure to bring a smile to your face too, just as the name Dimple suggests.
And of course, the carefully selected whisky and cocktails, as well as the delicious smoked foods and prosciutto, are also highly recommended!
Bar Dimple data
| Name | Bar Dimple |
|---|---|
| Address | 2nd Floor, Sakamoto Building, 1-2-5 Tsurugata, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-427-5520 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | 8:00 p.m.–3:00 a.m. the following day |
| Closed | Monday Also closed when Monday is a public holiday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Reservations for seats only Reservations accepted by phone |
| Seating | 18 seats ・Counter: 10 stools ・Two tables seating four |
| Smoking | Smoking permitted |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Official Facebook page |
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