October is a milestone month for riverside izakaya Yoko Dining. The Howard Smith Wharves favourite is marking the fifth anniversary of its opening and, to celebrate, the team has transformed the upper level of its premises into little sister venue, B-SIDE. Taking inspiration from the back-alley record bars and vibrant izakayas of Tokyo, the Yoko Dining crew has converted the upstairs dining room into a hip hideaway for drinks and snacks, offering a menu of curated dishes that reminiscent of the mouth-watering morsels commonly found beneath Tokyo’s heaving train stations. We’re talking sliced-to-order seasonal sashimi, kizami wasabi octopus, tuna tataki, wagyu katsu sliders, prawn buns, a B-SIDE take on Japanese potato salad, two kinds of ramen and miso caramel soft-serve ice-cream. On the drinks front, cocktail maestro Matt Whiley has fashioned a list of killer cocktails, including highballs, slushies and riffs on classic concoctions. More than just a place to dine, B-SIDE will boast a roster of DJs spinning every night – even Monday night, when the venue will host Retro Vinyl Sessions featuring a playlist of sounds from 80s and 90s. “We wanted to create something that encapsulates the energy and playfulness of Tokyo’s vibrant back-alley bars but with a Brisbane twist,” says The Apollo Group’s director Jonathan Barthelmess. “B-SIDE is for those who want to kick back after work, enjoy amazing food and drinks, and let loose with good music.” B-SIDE will open to the public on Monday October 14, with the first 50 guests through the doors after 5:00 pm receiving a complimentary bowl of chicken miso ramen. Stay tuned for a close-up look at B-SIDE later this month.