A new concept is about to elevate Nashville's sushi game. Sushi | Bar Hospitality, the omakase-style speakeasy which has had years-long waitlists around the nation, will open locally July 18. Owned and operated by Adept Hospitality, Nashville will be the fifth city in the expansion of Sushi | Bar, joining other locations in Austin, Miami, Chicago and Dallas. The dining hotspot will take up residence inside the group’s new cocktail lounge, Golden Sound, at 610 Magazine St. in The Gulch. (The space was previously home to the Barista Parlor Golden Sound.)

Sushi | Bar will be the first of its kind in Nashville. The two-hour exclusive dining experience is meant to feel like an intimate dinner party with friends, with two sushi bar rooms, each welcoming just 12 guests per seating to journey through a 17-course tasting menu. With only three seatings per night and cozy counter seating, guests will have a front-row view to a traditional omakase experience as three top-tier sushi chefs prepare the freshest fish, sourced and flown in weekly from the best markets in Japan. The curated menu consists of all nigiri and will change seasonally. Diners can opt for a sake pairing, and a sommelier will be on-site to recommend other beverage pairings to match the menu.

Cocktail bar Golden Sound, will also have a separate entrance for those wanting to strictly enjoy the lounge bar, which will feature premium spirits and craft cocktails including sub-zero martinis, highballs and golden draft espresso martinis with no reservations necessary.

“Choosing Nashville as the destination for our newest Sushi | Bar is a natural evolution in our journey,” said Ryan Stock, CEO of Adept Hospitality, the visionary minds behind Sushi | Bar. “Having spent considerable time in Nashville, we’ve been captivated by its vibrant culinary scene and the deep-rooted passion of its chefs. Our goal is to not only deliver an exceptional dining experience that leaves people reminiscing for years to come but also cultivate a sense of community at every counter. We're excited to bring our unique dining concept and new cocktail bar to The Gulch and the people of Nashville.”

Taking their cues from the building's past life as a recording studio, Nashville-based designers Remick Architecture looked to the city's 1960s music scene for design inspiration. From the curved leather banquette that creates intimate corners to the large, anchored bar that acts as a buzzing social backdrop, the space has a sexy atmosphere that invites guests to immerse themselves in a culinary world unlike any other in town.

Inside Sushi | Bar, the team turned to natural materials, a more muted palette and intentional lighting to create a sense of harmony within the space that allows for the menu to be at the center of the experience.

Each omakase experience will start at $165 per person with the option to pair dishes with premium beverage options and an extensive sake list. Reservations are available via Tock with three seatings Wednesday through Sunday, and guests are encouraged to arrive 20 minutes early to enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail and ease into their dining experience.

See also: The 10 Best Nashville Chefs To Follow