AKAI

Akai is a Japanese-inspired speakeasy and cocktail lounge tucked behind Musume in Dallas’s Arts District / Hall Arts area. Though it hides behind a sushi restaurant, this bar commands its own mystique: patrons enter through Musume’s kitchen and walk a cinderblock passage to reach the bar proper. Interior elements lean heavily on the color red (consistent with its name akai, meaning “red” in Japanese), with dragon motifs, crimson lighting, decadent seating, and layered private booths for conversation and intimacy. Cocktails are a key draw: inventive and artful, with signature drinks like Cobra Akai, Precious Jade, Cherry Blossom, and others listed on Yelp. The atmosphere transforms as night deepens. Early evening, it retains a lounge, introspective feel; by later hours, the energy shifts more toward nightclub / lounge mode, with music, mood, and lighting intensifying. Reviews suggest that while it’s marketed as a speakeasy, the scale and sound volume sometimes push it toward energetic lounge territory. Service is theatrical: hosts walk guests through to the hidden passage, guiding them from the visible sushi front through corridors to the bar — the reveal is part of the experience. Patrons frequently speak of the “discreet little gem” feeling and the red-hued, seductive ambiance. In sum: Akai is a blend of elegance, secrecy, and Japanese aesthetic, tucked in plain sight behind Musume. It appeals to fans of cocktail craft, immersive bar design, and hidden journeys.