A new cocktail lounge modeled after Tokyo’s vibrant nightlife has quietly opened inside The Watermark Hotel in Tysons, offering guests an exclusive and clandestine experience.
The Naisho Room — named after the Japanese word for “secret” — is now operating within the hotel located at 1825 Capital One Drive, part of the Capital One Center complex. True to its name, the lounge’s exact location is being deliberately obscured. With no published menu and a reservation-only policy, access is reserved for those who successfully navigate its elusive entry process.
“Welcome to The Naisho Room, where sophistication, secrecy, and spirits soar,” the lounge stated in a social media announcement. Styled as a hidden, Tokyo-inspired retreat, the venue is designed to feel like a well-kept secret, accessible only to those who know where — and how — to look.
Renovation plans filed with Fairfax County last year revealed intentions to create a speakeasy-style bar on the hotel’s 25th floor, near its fitness center. While the floor plans omitted specific design details, a teaser from Naisho’s Instagram suggests the entrance may involve passing through the sauna area.
Gaining entry is a challenge in itself. Prospective guests must either follow Naisho on social media and tag a friend, submit a reservation request via The Watermark Hotel’s amenities page, or locate origami invitations hidden throughout the hotel and surrounding Tysons area. All reservation requests are personally reviewed, and confirmations are sent via email to selected applicants.
Elkrim Mebrek, director of restaurants and bars at The Watermark Hotel, declined to disclose how many origami invitations are placed or where they are located, citing availability based on weekly capacity. “Your best bet if you want to find the origami or the reservation link is to follow us on social media,” Mebrek told FFXnow.
Naisho operates from 9 p.m. to midnight on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Reservations may be made up to 21 days in advance, with each party allowed a maximum of five guests.
Guests who secure an invite can expect an “immersive and transportive” atmosphere featuring panoramic views of the Tysons skyline, a live DJ, and curated food and drink offerings. The menu is crafted by Hobin Kim, executive sushi chef at Wren, The Watermark Hotel’s Japanese fusion restaurant.
Described by Mebrek as “elevated” Japanese-influenced bar fare, the menu includes dishes such as kanpachi foie gras, sushi hand rolls, and an inventive take on chips and salsa made with wagyu tendon and gravy dip.
The cocktail program highlights Japanese spirits and offers innovative twists on classic drinks. The Pearl of the Orient martini, for example, blends Japanese lychee gin, nigori sake, and St‑Germain, while Kirakira — a bourbon-based cocktail and Mebrek’s personal favorite — incorporates Fernet-Branca, melon liqueur, yuzu, and ginger beer.
“It’s almost like East meets West,” Mebrek said, noting the fusion of Asian and Western influences across the drink menu.
According to Capital One Center representatives, the addition of Naisho addresses growing demand for new dining options, spurred in part by capacity limits at Wren. The broader Capital One headquarters campus also hosts restaurants such as Sisters Thai, Stellina Pizzeria, Ometeo, and Starr Hill Brewery, along with food trucks at the Perch Putt mini golf course just outside the hotel.
Naisho aims to deliver an “intimate” and exclusive nightlife experience, distinct from any currently available in Tysons. The team behind the concept is intentionally keeping many aspects under wraps, inviting guests to uncover its mysteries on their own.
“We want people to find out,” Mebrek said.
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