Reviewed by: Pat Byington
First look: New Japanese-inspired cocktail + sushi lounge opening in Five Points South
Reading time: 3 minutes
A new Japanese-inspired cocktail and sushi lounge is opening soon in Five Points South, offering premium sake, handcrafted cocktails and crave-worthy sushi in a “chic and moody atmosphere designed to feel both luxurious and rebellious.”
Bham Now took a special look inside Sakéroom ahead of its grand opening on March 20.
Your first look at Sakéroom
Located at 2007 Highland Ave in Five Points South, Sakéroom is an intimate, Japanese-inspired cocktail and sushi lounge founded by Paige Depperschmidt, a local entrepreneur with a knack for crafting elevated experiences. Before founding Sakéroom, Paige co-founded Sands of Sahara on Green Springs Highway and recently opened a new Huntsville location for the restaurant and lounge.
After selling her stake in Sands of Sahara, Paige set her eyes on a new project: bringing a new, elevated late-night spot to Five Points South.
“I’m a resident of the Five Points South area, and I’m really passionate about building up the community here. I chose this building because of its rich history—iconic nightlife spots like the Bell Bottoms, Red Room and the Hippodrome were here—and I’m thrilled to bring something elevated yet funky to Five Points South.”
Paige Depperschmidt, Founder, Sakéroom
Sakéroom is located inside the Shepard-Sloss Building, a terra-cotta building in Five Points South that dates back to 1928.
What to expect at Sakéroom
Inside Sakéroom, Paige and her team have crafted a beverage program featuring Saké flights and several Japanese-inspired cocktails, from a delightful dessert Ube cocktail with house-infused Madagascar vanilla Ube to a unique spin on the classic lychee martini.
“My personal favorite is the Tokyo Garden, a cucumber mint-infused vodka with wasabi that pairs easily with many of our food items.”
Paige Depperschmidt, Founder, Sakéroom
Speaking of food, Sakéroom will offer a curated, intimate food menu with sashimi, several chef-inspired sushi rolls and sides like Crispy Tuna Bites.
“I absolutely adore our signature Sakéroom Roll; it’s fried with all of our toppings, filled with crab and shrimp and topped with a yuzu truffle mayo. We also do a sushi taco, with a crunchy taco on the inside and your choice of filling on the inside—tuna, salmon, caviar and A5 Japanese wagyu.”
Paige Depperschmidt, Founder, Sakéroom
Visit Sakéroom on its Grand Opening, March 20
Sakéroom kicks off with a soft, invite-only night on March 13, followed by a grand opening on Friday, March 20 from 5PM to 2AM.
“I encourage anyone to come and see the results of the hard work we’ve put into Sakéroom. We have a great team—all minorities and all Gen Z—and we’ve spent a lot of time and effort to bring a new, chic Tokyo-style establishment to the Five Points South community.”
Paige Depperschmidt, Founder, Sakéroom
- Sakéroom: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
- Address: 2007 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: 5PM to 2AM, Tuesday through Saturday; Closed Sunday and Monday
Sakéroom will be first-come, first-served for the first few months and plans to gradually roll out reservations.
Planning to attend Sakéroom’s grand opening on March 20? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!
