Zero-waste cafe & bar “æ” (ash) to open in Shibuya on 30 May

SG Group, known for managing cocktail bars worldwide, is breaking the mold with the grand opening of their new café and bar, “æ” (pronounced ‘ash’). The grand opening is scheduled for May 30, 2022, fittingly on “Zero Waste Day.” This café-bar, located in the vibrant Jinnan district of Shibuya, embodies a revolutionary “zero-waste” concept.

The name “æ,” a convergence of symbolism, represents both a coffee bean and the infinity symbol “∞,” alluding to the boundless possibilities within the zero-waste concept. From kitchen operations to the menu, every aspect of “æ” is designed to minimize waste, shifting the paradigm of traditional café management.

A striking feature of the café’s décor is the blue-grey wall, a tactile testament to repurposing, crafted from discarded denim. The interior ambiance is one of brightness and cleanliness, augmented by the abundant natural light flooding the space.

Coffee grounds, traditionally viewed as waste in the café industry, are repurposed as fertilizers at Aoki Farm in the Miura Peninsula. The harvested produce returns to “æ’s” kitchen, finding its way into the café’s menu, creating a unique farm-to-table cycle. Moreover, the grounds themselves find a second life as cocktail ingredients.

“æ” is also experimenting with innovative ideas to minimize waste. They’ve partnered with BONEEARTH to recycle broken coffee cups and plates into fertilizer. In another step towards sustainability, QR codes have replaced paper menus and cards.

The café’s coffee beans, the keystone of its beverage offerings, come from the original blend of Ishiya Barista. Two roasters, Leaves Coffee Roasters and Obscura Roasters, are entrusted with the light and dark roasting, respectively. This deliberate choice of blend aims to highlight the barista’s unique experience and personality, underscoring the richness and intricacy of coffee.

The staff uniforms at “æ,” designed by New York-based fashion designer Marie, are made from environmentally-friendly fibers derived from Japanese paper. This material is biodegradable, ensuring that the uniforms, like much else in the café, will eventually return to the earth.

The cocktail menu, divided into “Coffee Cocktails” and “Zero-Waste Classics,” embodies the café’s philosophy. The “Coffee Cocktails” range includes standard café offerings, such as the Espresso Martini, reimagined as cocktails. “Zero-Waste Classics” features innovative concoctions created using by-products from cocktail preparation, offering a fresh twist on classic cocktails.

For interested individuals, you can find their store at 1-5-2 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041, Kawamura Building 1F. Open from 10:00 – 23:00, closed on Tuesdays.