Qixi: The Night The Stars Align

Once a year, legend says, a bridge of magpies forms across the Milky Way.

It allows Zhinü, the weaver girl, and Niulang, the cowherd, to cross the distance between them and spend one night together. Their reunion is celebrated on Qixi, a centuries-old Chinese festival held on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. Today, it is often described as Chinese Valentine’s Day—but its story is older, richer and written in the stars.

Pour for the person beside you  

In Japan, sake is traditionally poured for others before it is poured for oneself. You fill the cup of the person beside you, and they return the gesture. It is a small act of attention that turns a drink into an acknowledgement: I see you. I’m glad you’re here.

Saké brings its own sense of ceremony to every pour. By the glass, sake arrives in tulip-shaped crystal designed to concentrate its aroma. By the carafe, it is served in a handcrafted tokkuri, with a selection of ochoko cups from which each guest can choose.

For the most aromatic styles, including Ginjo and Daiginjo, Saké’s signature Drip Ritual chills the sake without diluting it. Presented tableside, the sake is released with a single press of a glass pin—transforming the pour into part of the occasion.
Each detail serves a purpose: to reveal more of the sake’s character and bring more intention to the moment shared around it.

Where traditions meet 

The ritual may come from a different tradition, but its instinct feels perfectly suited to Qixi. Connection is something we cross a distance to make—and something we create through the gestures exchanged when we finally come together.

This Qixi, pour for the person beside you first.

Reserve your table at Saké through the reservations link in the menu.

Saké Restaurant & Bar practices the responsible service of alcohol. Drink responsibly.