The cocktail legend behind SG Club in Tokyo, New York’s Sip & Guzzle, and Speak Low in Shanghai has unveiled his latest bar, Devil’s Cut, in Madrid
Shingo Gokan–founder of New York’s Sip & Guzzle, Shanghai’s Speak Low, Tokyo’s SG Club, as well as several other highly acclaimed bars–has opened Devil’s Cut in Madrid, his first European drinking destination. Located in the Spanish capital’s Las Letras district, the location formerly played home to Casa Pueblo bar which closed in February, 2024.
Gokan began his bartending career at Angel’s Share, a speakeasy in New York, where he worked as head bartender for 10 years before moving on to open new cocktail establishments across Asia. Devil’s Cut is an homage to his journey throughout the realm of bartending.
“Once a beloved neighborhood bar, Casa Pueblo opened in 1983 and became a cherished community spot for four decades,” states the newly bar. “Designed by one of its founders, it served locals until 2023. In 2024, preserving its historic charm, the space transformed into Devil’s Cut. This transformation is inspired by master mixologist Shingo Gokan’s tenure at the legendary New York bar Angel’s Share, where he served as head bartender from 2006 for ten years. Devil’s Cut Madrid, drawing on the theme of an angel becoming a devil, emerged as a unique cocktail bar capturing this dramatic shift.”
The menu will feature three categories. The Angel’s Classics are a range of Gokan’s signature drinks from the rise of his career, like the Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, oloroso, smoke). Another portion of the drinks list will showcase a variety of Gokan’s cocktails from his most popular bars across Asia, including A Slow Boat To China (rum, white wine Rueda, jasmine, guava, chrysanthemum) from SG Club. And lastly, the Devil’s Signatures, which are unique to the Spanish establishment, will highlight Gokan’s love and appreciation of Sherry, such as the PX Highball (rum, Pedro Ximenez, fig leaf, Sherry vinegar, tonic).
Gokan first became fascinated by the flavors of Sherry and other fortified wines on his first visit to Spain and the wineries of Jerez. Credited for launching his career, Gokan used Sherry in his award winning concoction at the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition of 2012.
Presenting an array of food and wine, Devil’s Cut will have a food menu led by chef Atsushi Furukawa, previously of Tokyo’s SG Tavern, with a focus on reconceptualizing Japanese cuisine with Spanish ingredients.
For more information about Devil’s Cut, head over to the official website.
