Nikuya Rooftop Brings Sushi With Skyline Views to The Sinclair Hotel

Fort Worth’s first smart hotel opened in The Sinclair Building in 2020. The Sinclair Hotel brought this Art Deco wonder (built in 1929) back to life in a wonderful way. The Sinclair’s 17th-floor rooftop terrace unfolds dramatic downtown views, wrapped in its original, ornamental Deco roof crests. Now, The Sinclair’s rooftop will become the home of a new sushi and sake restaurant ― Nikuya, by DRG Concepts.

The Sinclair has been hinting that something special was happening on its grand rooftop since way back in March, with a post that said: “Our rooftop remains closed for the season as we take a little extra time to make some exciting enhancements. We appreciate your patience and can’t wait to welcome you back soon – stay tuned!”

The smashing rooftop has been off-limits ever since. The Sinclair’s site still says, “The rooftop bar is currently closed for construction. We look forward to welcoming you back once construction is complete.” In August, they teased on social media once again: “SOON.”

Now we know what they’ve been up to, way up there. Nikuya Rooftop promises sushi, sake, and skyline views, perched atop The Sinclair Hotel, located at 512 Main Street.

What’s On Nikuya’s New Menu

The signature dining in the hotel is Wicked Butcher, by DRG Concepts. The fine dining steakhouse has a display of its dry aging behind glass in the hallway and features a fresh raw bar as well. DRG is also owns two concepts at One City Place in downtown Fort Worth. Wild Salsa and Chophouse Burger are located at 300 Throckmorton Street.

Nikuya’s menu will have appetizers, including a salmon or Hokkaido scallop crudo, dressed oysters, a tuna tartare, and an edamame hummus.

Under the Makimono section (or maki rolls for short), you’ll find one called Sweet Escape with crab, scallop, avocado, cucumber, tobiko, yuzu, hazelnut, and coconut. Another roll called Trinity River is filled with tuna, shiso, cucumber, soy, jalapeno, avocado, tomato, and the Nikuya Cut features some of Wicked Butcher’s famous A5 Wagyu seared with avocado, Nikuya sauce, and fried leek.

Likewise, handrolls lead with The Butcher ― a seared beef filet, yolk sauce, chives, and onion dust salt. The Hot Blonde handroll is made with salmon, avocado, and bonito flakes. Plus, nigiri sushi (raw slices atop sushi rice) or raw slices of sashimi come in fresh bluefin tuna, yellowtail, Hokkaido scallop, salmon, or A5 Japanese Wagyu.

All We Know So Far About This New DRG Concept

“Nikuya was born from a profound reverence for Japanese culinary tradition and a vision to bring an extraordinary dining experience to the heart of Fort Worth,” the website explains.

“Inspired by the serene elegance of Tokyo’s most esteemed sushi bars and shaped by the artistry behind Wicked Butcher’s celebrated butcher program, Nikuya is where precision and innovation meet in perfect harmony. Framed by sweeping, cinematic views of the downtown skyline, it offers an intimate sanctuary where exceptional cuisine, genuine hospitality, and unforgettable moments converge.”

The name of the new rooftop restaurant is an ode to its big brother, Wicked Butcher. Nikuya, after all, means butcher or meat market in Japanese.

Of course, this is not the first DRG Concept with sushi as its star. It’s former Dallas Fish Market, which did not rebound following Covid closures, also featured quite a few Japanese-inspired dishes.

Rooftop Dining Takes Nikuya To New Heights

No one could be reached for more details about the rooftop dining updates at either DRG Concepts or The Sinclair, but reservations are now open on RESY. Before you go, you need to know that Nikuya Rooftop is requesting that you pay with a card or only digital, as it’s a cashless establishment. Plus, they say, “To ensure all of our guests have the opportunity to enjoy their experience, we kindly ask that dining time be limited to 1 hour and 30 minutes.”

Nikuya, is an interesting addition to the downtown dining scene, which is very light on Asian. Fort Worth Digital Diary brought you exclusive news of Musume’s return when The Sandman Signature Hotel reopens in downtown Fort Worth. A devastating explosion destroyed both the hotel and its basement-level restaurant, Musume, in January of 2023. But it is set to rise from the ashes soon.

Chopsticks up people, you’re always asking for more Asian to arrive. Now, with Nikuya Rooftop and the recent opening of Oishii Sushi and Pan Asian on University ― it seems like we’ve been heard.