This fall, we’re traveling back in time, across the globe, and up a few flights of stairs. Tokyo Swim Club, a retro Tokyo-inspired cocktail bar, announced its upcoming opening on the rooftop of the Casa Gomez building in Ybor City (1229 E 8th Ave), with plans for a fall 2026 debut.
The open-air lounge is being opened by the team behind Tanto and Kōsen in the Heights District, led by Director of Beverage and Sustainability Mike Western and Andrew Huang, Kōsen’s Executive Chef. Tokyo Swim Club will feature Izakaya-style dining with sushi, handrolls and yakitori “crafted to complement the elevated drink offerings.”
The new concept is inspired by 1960s Tokyo’s members-only clubs, the team said in its announcement. Aiming for “exclusivity without pretense,” the space will feature a covered central bar and an extended open-air patio evoking the style of retro resorts with striped umbrellas, lush greenery, and lounge seating.
Western brings extensive experience to the new concept, including his work with James Beard and Michelin-recognized restaurants across the country, in addition to Tampa’s Kōsen. The project is also being backed by Orlando restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung, who have made big splashes across Tampa Bay in recent years.
Tokyo Swim Club will mark the second recent debut in the Casa Gomez building, with French-inspired and longtime Tampa favorite Mise en Place having just opened on the ground floor. Housed within Daryl Shaw’s Gasworx project, Western says Tokyo Swim Club will tap into the energy of Ybor City, while also elevating the neighborhood’s offerings…