For Antipodean wines galore, visit Wineya (7-20-16 Nishi-Shinjuku, www.gordianwines66.com), a specialty shop and bar that negotiates with small and medium-sized wineries, and directly imports New World vino still undiscovered in Japan. That’s how they keep the prices of their wine (from ¥330/glass & ¥1,880/bottle), beer (from ¥580), and sangria (¥580) low. Match your glass with ...
Nostalgic highball bar Modern Times 1923 (3-20-9 Akasaka, Minato-ku; http://meturl.com/moderntimes1923), features a five-tap “highball tower” that dispenses high pressure carbonated soda, each premixed with Kakubin, and lovely aged varieties of Yamazaki, Hakushu, Macallan, and JD. There are also highballs from homemade ginger (¥450) to seasonal fruit (¥630), and everything in between. Get 30 percent more ...
The popularity of makgeolli is rising with that of K-pop idols in Tokyo, selling out in wild variations like black bean, mikan, green tea, and okoge (burned rice). Kansai Makgeolli Bal Ichiren (3-21-5 Koenji-Kita, Suginami-ku; http://meturl.com/ichiren), which opened in October is fully stocked with 13 types of the Korean tipple and eight kinds of the ...
Two hundred European and Japanese wines are yours for the tasting at Festivin (303 EBIS, 2F Subaru Building, 1-20-8 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, http://festivin.com), an annual grape fest holding its second edition on Nov 27. Various restaurants will be selling food, with world music acts providing the vibe. In the spirit of eco-friendliness, the sound system will ...
Max Bordeau (7-8-6 Roppongi, Minato-ku; http://maxbordeaux.jp) opened its first wine gallery & cellar in Tokyo early this month. Thirty-eight varieties of grand vin are available in three sizes of glass, and payable by prepaid card (from ¥300). Small glasses imported straight from the château range from ¥900-10,700, and bottles from ¥2,100-210,300. Delicacies available to enhance ...
The season for yuzu, an aromatic citrus fruit grown mainly in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku, is just beginning. At Neboke (1-26-2-49F Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; www.katsuo.co.jp), you’ll find a wide selection of Kochi beverages made from this tart fruit, such as yuzu shochu (from ¥500), liqueur (¥700), chuhai (¥650), and juice (¥350). Other prefectural drinks include imo shochu ...
The key to finding an underground café/bar like Omega Algea (B1 Tenjin 5-1-15 Nakano, Nakano-ku; http://omega-swiez.co.jp) is to sharpen your artistic instincts. Appropriately located in the midst of a residential area in Nakano—a Tokyo subcultural mecca—it’s actually only a seven-minute walk alongside the hippyish mural that stretches eastward from the station. But even with your ...
The back bar at Dressroom (2-13-14-3F Kitazawa, Setagaya; www.dress-room.jp) is stocked with jars of fruit soaked in vinegar, which almost look like specimens in formalin. These jars of ginger, peach, pineapple, grapefruit, yuzu, and lemon are used to make their homemade vinegar fizz (¥500) and original cocktails such as ginger beer (¥750) and yuzu pepper ...
Sapporo’s luxury label Yebisu beer on tap (¥250) is actually cheaper than Asahi Super Dry (¥550) at Nagomiya Gyoen (3F Minami Bldg, 3-18-8 Uchi-kanda, Chiyoda-ku; http://meturl.com/nagomiyagyoen). This new izakaya, opened in July, is probably the only place in Kanda, let alone Tokyo, where you can drink Yebisu for the price of soft drinks (¥250). They ...
Reckon yourself a nihonshu connoisseur? Then you should already know Tamanegiya (55 Akagishitamachi, Shinjuku-ku; http://meturl.com/tamanegiya), Kagurazaka’s haven for all things sake. This nostalgic Showa-style izakaya is a hidden treasure trove of top sake from around the country. Glasses usually range from ¥800-1,300, but can reach heights of ¥3,380 for rare vintage koshu, which can be ...
If you are looking for a gothic bar with a collection of over 500 art books, which you can read as you kick back on black sofas while taking Blavod shots (¥1,000), then Night Gallery Cafe Crow (2F Rock & Rock Bldg, 7-8-5 Roppongi, http://cafecrow.net) might be your choice of destination. Despite having to pay ...
A free 1.8-liter mega-jug of beer for anyone who can chug it down in 30 seconds—¥1,500 if you can’t—might be worth a try, at Tasuichi (33-14 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku; http://meturl.com/tasuichi). Conveniently located in Center Gai, this standing bar with a 100-inch flatscreen is a great place to hang out or watch sports while filling up on ...
The New York-inspired contemporary bar and grill Fifty Seven (B1F 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku, www.fiftyseven.co.jp) will be closing on Sep 17—and they’re throwing their largest and final party that weekend. After five years of operation, Fifty Seven will kick off the closing ceremonies with Volume I on Friday with free entry, drinks specials; and Volume II ...
Few gay-friendly cafes and bars in the city are open in the daytime like gossip (2F Phil Park, 5-46-15 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku; http://gossip-cafe.com). A trendy location, a large window that lets in ample sunlight, and the owner’s library—filled with literature on queer culture, sexuality and diversity—make it a focal point for the avant-garde and the art-conscious. ...
Take your lucky number three and multiply it by a hundred at the punchily-named Rakushokuka Maruyasu Sakuragicho (2F Hakucho Bldg, 2-59 Hanasakicho, Naka-ku, Yokohama; http://meturl.com/maruyasu), where they have an extensive ¥300 izakaya food menu to gorge your palate on. The rich and bitter Yebisu tap beer, various sours, fruit liquors, shochu, whiskey, bourbon, glasses of ...
Get the luck of the Irish in ya at Seamus O’hara (B1F Matsuda Bldg, 3-12-3 Meguro, Meguro-ku; http://seamus-ohara.com) on Sep 18. Their fourth anniversary bash is positively gurgling with special offers. All draft beer including Guinness, Kilkenny and Bass Pale Ale is ¥500 a pint. Their original draft Seamus Cider clocks in at ¥800 for ...
If you would like to die from an overdose of Korean booze and not even use up your weekly pocket money, just amble your way down Yasukuni Dori and keep an eye out for a big sign with a beer jockey that reads “¥100.” Galbichan (3-21-11 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; http://meturl.com/galbichan) awaits. Believe it or not, Suntory ...
Peep at Tokyo’s kinky underground in members-only Waku Waku Bar 9259 (2F Fujiichi Building, 1-1-2 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku; www.bar9259.com), where it’s all-you-can-drink 24/7. Mingle with dominatrix and porn stars at the counter or in the fully-equipped lounge. Membership is ¥6,000 for couples, ¥5,000 for single men and ¥1,000 for single women. Entrance fee is ¥4,000/ ¥8,000 ...
Get your summer groove on at The Place (2F East West, 5-17-10 Hiroo, Shibuya-ku; www.bar-place.com), with 100 mojito variations from ¥1,500. Turquoise Blue, Rosemary Grapefruit, Pina Colada or Coconut Mojitos evoke tropical sensations. Work your mojo on a Black Mojito with a hint of sambuca negro, or spark a conversation with a Champagne Mojito. Spread ...
Take your coin collection to Hyaku-Yen Sakaba Donnoba (http://donnoba.com) where Tory’s Whiskey, draft Suntory Premium Malts, glasses of wine, shochu, sours and selected cocktails are all only ¥100. Located in Shinjuku, Takadanobaba, Ueno, Shibuya, and other locations in the metropolis, their izakaya menu varies among the shops but the common specialty is their Indian curry ...
Spice up your night out at Hige Girl (literally, “moustache girl.” 5 Daini Wizard Seven Bldg, 1-2-8 Kabukicho, Shinjuku; www.hige-girl.com). The beautiful showgirls who appear every Sunday on TBS’ Sunday Japon can be seen live at this famous okama bar that features a mixture of glamorous “new-half” performers comprising cross dressers, drag queens and transwomen. ...
Especially before payday, Shimbashi Ouendan Wataru (3-26-3 Shimbashi, Minato-ku; http://meturl.com/wataru) provides the relief your over-excercized wallet needs. Here, you can still reward yourself after a humid summer day with a jockey of draft Suntory Malt’s or a highball (¥180). At this popular drinking joint, various sour flavors are available at the everyday knockdown price of ...
Check in to women-only bar Motel #203 (203 Sunny Corpo, 2-7-2 Shinjuku; www.bar-motel.com) opened by the producer of Gold Finger, Japan’s first and biggest girls’ monthly party. Their system is sweet and simple: the first drink is ¥1,000 while every drink after is ¥500. An English-friendly menu is available from which you can order otsumami ...
If you’re feeling an unidentifiable lack in your life, you might just need to hit up Hige Girl (5 Daini Wizard Seven Bldg, 1-2-8 Kabukicho, Shinjuku; www.hige-girl.com) which literally means “moustache girl.” The showgirls who appear every Sunday at 10am on TBS’ Sunday Japon can be seen live at this famous okama bar that features ...
Get on board Tokyo Bay Noryosen for some maritime nomihodai action (¥2,500 includes boarding fee) and escape some of the city heat this season. Wear your yukata and get ¥1,000 off on weekdays (except Fridays and holidays). Nibbles are served on all five decks—ranging from ¥100 to ¥600—or sit down and order a set of ...
“Boys’ Love,” the homoerotic male-relationship manga genre, has a new hangout. BL-themed bar Miracle JumP (3F Endo Bldg, 3-2-11 Soto-Kanda; www.miraclejump.com) in Akihabara is a fantasy come true for fujoshi—the growing population of female otaku. With their draft beer “Nama BL” in hand and some “bokura no soseiji” (“our sausages”) as an appetizer, you can ...
Think before you drink and choose something healthy for body and mind. “Going herbal” is the new quaff at Ginza Café Bistro (9F Albore Ginza Bldg, 2-4-18 Ginza; www.ginzacafewelltas.com), an eatery sponsored by an anti-aging clinic. The wholesome menu was designed by kampo specialists at the Weltas Clinic to aid rejuvenation, detoxification, skin care and ...
Preconceptions that Japanese wines are too sweet, light and generally inferior to their international cousins might be altered on visiting Jip Wine Bar & Wine Shop (2-7-1 Shinjuku; http://jipwine.com), where more than 200 rare wines from Hokkaido to Kyushu are sold. A former wine wholesaler opened Jip after noticing the lack of any wine bars ...
To feel as though you’re having cocktails on the bottom of the sea, head down to Ueno Suizokukan (3F Plaza U Bldg, 4-8-6 Ueno) or Ikebukuro Suizokukan (6F Ikebukuro YS Stage Bldg, 1-39-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro; http://meturl.com/kt897). Claiming to be the largest aquarium-equipped izakaya in Japan, this new venue is celebrating its grand opening with a two-hour ...
Grab a two-hour nomihodai for just ¥880 at the first Tokyo branch of Nagoya’s popular izakaya chain Oosu Nichome Sakaba, which recently opened in west Ikebukuro (B1F Kishino Bldg, 2-14-1 Ikebukuro; http://meturl.com/oosu2). Keep in mind that their generous drinking plan can be extended for ¥500 every additional hour. While you’re gulping down their selection of ...
Judging from its chic atmosphere, you’d have never guessed that a 60-year-old private house was renovated to become Hachi (14-12 Kobunacho, Shimbashi; http://bar-hachi.com), an “Espaňa & Italiana Bar” standing on a quiet Ningyocho corner. During its happy hour from 5-7pm, wine and highballs are only ¥200. You can also go for Mediterranean foamers like Cruzcampo ...
Celebrating its golden anniversary in time for Golden Week, two floors of Yokohama Marine Tower (15 Yamashita, Naka-ku, Yokohama; 045-664-1100) has been turned into a summer beer garden (in the Japanese sense, i.e. not a garden) until early September—with a roof terrace opening May 12 to offer stunning views of Minato Mirai and the Bay ...
Ever see a couple of pink bunnies on Meiji Dori with signs reading ¥180? Don’t just pass them by after taking a few snaps, but follow them to Izakaya Kouchan (1-15-17 Shibuya; 03-5464-0049)—one of the cheapest izakaya in Tokyo. Highballs are a staggering ¥50 (which might well lead to some staggering) during happy hour (5pm-8pm) ...
Greenland Amusement Bar (B1F, 3-15-21 Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.greenlandjp.com) is shaping up to be a new mainstay just off the Roppongi strip. Besides hosting a Metropolis fundraiser for earthquake relief last month, the venue offers free entry—and free drinks—to female customers all night on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays. Testosterone-carrying punters are rewarded on Tuesdays, with free ...
It’s not just izakaya that are feeling the pinch these days. Even the city’s high-flying hotel bars are offering steep discounts. The chic MIXX Bar & Lounge at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo (1-12-33 Akasaka, Minato-ku; www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp) hopes to improve its 39th floor views with a new happy hour plan. From 5-8pm daily, the lounge is ...
Nihonshu is the tipple of choice at Sanpin (1-17-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku; 03-3461-0887), an intimate, weeknights-only bar just up the road from Shibuya Mark City. Choose from a range of pasteurized and unpasteurized junmaishu from breweries including Shougen, Tenon and Suginishiki, which start from as little as ¥400 a glass. And though it may be the ...
The shochu gets dispensed from enormous clay containers at Kamakura Saketen (2-30-14 Nakano, Nakano-ku; 03-5342-9054), a nonsmoking standing bar on the south side of Nakano station. Start with the day’s maewari blend (¥280) if you want to ease yourself into the swing of things, before moving on to the imo- and mugi-jochu from Kagoshima and ...
Tickets are on sale now for the marvelously named Celebrate the Goddess of Brewing event, a public tasting session held as part of the Japan Asia Beer Cup at Yebisu Garden Place on April 2. Hop heads will get a chance to sample the 100-odd brews entered in this year’s competition, including the 2010 winners. ...
As “fast fashion” behemoths edge out the more prestigious boutiques on Ginza’s boulevards, the area’s watering holes also seem to be going downmarket. Sennicha (full name: Ginza Yatai Sakaba Sennicha) has all the class of a drinking den for day laborers, and that seems to be the point (B1, 3-8-4 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g470905). Sit under ...
The original branch of Motown House has been a fixture on the Roppongi circuit for over two decades, but its sister shop just across the street always felt a bit superfluous. Obviously the owners felt the same way, which is why they closed No. 2 last summer and moved it to a new, unexpected location. ...
The party keeps on rolling night and day at Sakura no Shizuku (6F, 1-21-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/gagl000), a new 24-hour izakaya that opened last month in Kabukicho. Mercifully, the action is spread across a range of private rooms and curtained-off sofa areas, so only your companions will know how awful you look at 10am after ...
Over in the suddenly hip neighborhood of Ningyocho, Oasis Bar (2F, 2-2-4 Nihombashi-Ningyocho, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a158403) prides itself on billiards, darts—and low, low prices. Draft beer starts at ¥390, and snacks like sliced prosciutto, gobo chips and olives are all just ¥380, while the popcorn is free. Even the pool table is cheap—just ¥500 per person ...
Most bars make their money from large groups, but Marumugi targets ohitorisama—solitary drinkers (2F, 1-Banchi, Arakicho, Shinjuku-ku; 03-6380-4745). Open since January 15, the 14-seat pub serves craft beers from all over Japan. Owner Suga-san changes the selection frequently, but one thing that doesn’t change is the price: pints are ¥1,000 and smaller glasses ¥700. Belly ...
It’s being billed as the future of highball bars, and Shimbashi 1923 (2-1-1 Shimbashi, Minato-ku; 03-3597-6500) is certainly cut from a classier cloth than other whisky-soda peddlers like the Gindaco Sakaba chain. Regular Kaku-highballs cost ¥450, though you might prefer to have yours made with Yamazaki 10 Year (¥580), Hibiki 12 Year (¥630) or The ...
Over in Tsukishima, newly opened wine bar Gabu is, presumably, hoping to attract punters looking for a more intimate experience than they’d get at the cavernous Spain Club up the road (3-28-12 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a600205). The wine selection runs to 100-odd bottles, starting at ¥2,500 a pop, and glasses cost a flat ¥500. Though it’s ...
A blackboard at Koenji Beer Kobo informs drinkers of the current selection of brews—and the ones the owner plans to make next (2-24-8 Koenji-kita, Suginami-ku; http://koenjibeer.seesaa.net). This small, brightly lit brewpub opened for business on Christmas Day after more than five months spent fitting the place out. Since then, they’ve whipped up batches of red ...
The husband-and-wife owners of Cafe Stay Happy clocked up five around-the-world trips prior to opening their dedicated backpacker hangout in Shimokitazawa (2F, 2-29-14 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku; http://cafestayhappy.com). They roped in some old traveling buddies to help create the shop’s interior, which incorporates gnarled branches, a hammock, and a two-level kotatsu area that looks more like a ...
“This is the most fun I’ve had with a product in quite a while,” confessed veteran craft-beer importer Phred Kaufman when he stopped by in Tokyo for the launch party of his newest—and coarsest—product. The tipple in question is none other than Fucking Hell, a tasty Pilsner that debuted to great mirth in Europe last ...
Shimbashi boozehounds barely had time to mourn the loss of Wine Barrabi in July before the bar’s old owner had upped and started a new place. Kassi’s Bar (2F, 3-15-15 Shimbashi, Minato-ku; http://kassizbar.uijin.com), which opened for business mid-December, offers a similarly intimate experience to its predecessor, with seats for 14. Glasses of wine start at ...
Innovation be damned: the hottest new opening in Yokohama last month wasn’t some fancy post-LOHAS cocktail lounge but a retro bar with a nice line in tinned food. A short stumble from Sakuragicho station, Kin Kon Kan (2-46 Hanasakicho, Naka-ku, Yokohama; 045-241-9550) stocks an impressive 100-odd varieties of shochu (¥380-¥980), complemented by an array of ...
Sightseers down in Kamakura would do well to hit Takasakiya Honten for a quick tipple before they hop on the train back home (5-36 Onarimachi, Kamakura-shi; 0467-22-1881). Wedged in the back of a liquor store, this standing bar is as intimate as they come, holding four or five people, tops. All the alcohol comes from ...
A brief selection of weirdly named watering holes that have opened over the past few months: Bar Butch?, a ten-seater that’s keeping things quizzically macho in Shirokanedai (5-10-13 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku; 03-6277-3324); it, fashionably lower-case and proud in Nakameguro (201 Hashimoto Heights, 1-15-13 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku; 03-3464-1488); and una casa de gb gb El Nubichinom, a moniker ...
Venerable Kanazawa-based brewery Fukumitsuya has just opened its third store in Tokyo, reminding shoppers that nihonshu isn’t just for drinking—it’s good for your skin, too. The new branch of Sake Shop Fukumitsuya (B1F Galleria, Tokyo Midtown, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku; 0120-293-285), which should feel right at home in the swanky environs of Tokyo Midtown, sells the ...
The bespectacled owner of Megane (B1F, 2-9 Shinsen-cho, Shibuya-ku; http://kannomegane.com) just wants his customers to feel at home—and, ideally, to let him indulge his passion for bad jokes. This new izakaya is about the size of an OL’s apartment, with two counters flanking the central bar area. Cozy, in other words. The drinks are affordable: ...
Ear slicers, artists and other followers of the green fairy, take note: there’s a new dealer in town. Okay, the line-up of bottles at online store Absinthe-Tokyo (http://absinthe-tokyo.com) is still a bit weedy, but they score bonus points for featuring the otherwise impossible-to-find Mansinthe (¥5,980), as endorsed by former antichrist superstar Marilyn Manson. We’re more ...
Last month was an unusually ripe one for beer lovers, with new bars popping up all over town. Ant’n Bee shares its building with Abbot’s Choice, and has over 20 Japanese craft brews on tap (B1F, 5-1-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku; http://ameblo.jp/roppongi-beerbar-antnbee). You can get a dozen-odd Japanese and European ales and lagers at Meguro Republic (B1F, ...
“We’re not interested in wine bores,” says the website for Tours (2F, 3-5-19 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku; http://tours-winebar.jugem.jp). “We’re not interested in customers looking to pick up girls. We’re not interested in rowdy drinkers. We don’t stock expensive wines. We don’t stock expensive champagnes.” What they do offer at this newly opened spot is the chance to ...
To a cynical observer, it might seem like sending coals to Newcastle: after events in Honolulu, New York and San Francisco, the American Joy of Sake tour will be making its Tokyo debut on November 2. We had our doubts until we saw the lineup, which includes all 329 nihonshu varieties entered in this year’s ...
There was a nice turnout at the opening party for Biervana, which has moved in to the space previously occupied by Drunk Bears (1F Prudential Tower, 2-13-10 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku; www.biervana.com). Part beer bar, part restaurant, it’s managed by prolific importer Ikon Europubs, which might explain the 100-plus varieties of bottled brews in the fridges. Budejovick ...
If you’re looking for a bit of folktale kitsch with your evening, head over to Taketori no Densetsu in Yokohama (5F, 2-17 Minami-Saiwai, Nishi-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a185017). This new dining bar is themed around the eponymous tale of the Moon Princess Kaguya, who was sent to earth in a stalk of bamboo. With its bamboo-enclosed private booths ...
The biggest complaint about Tokyo is the lack of space, so it’s refreshing to find Byrd, a newly opened Ginza nightspot with an airy, loft-like interior (2-3F, 8-2-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/gac3800). While the ceilings may not be as high as you find in New York, the white walls, large windows and exposed brick give the ...
Wine lovers in an eco frame of mind will want to check out the new promotion at American grill Roti (6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.roti.jp). All parties ordering two main dishes at dinner Sunday through Thursday can enjoy a bottle of organic wine from Chile’s Emiliana Vineyards—absolutely free. Choose from sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and ...
Yokohama is the place to be this weekend, as the Great Japan Beer Festival (www.beertaster.org) unfurls at Osanbashi Hall. The Yokohama edition of this annual jamboree is marginally less hectic than its Tokyo counterpart, but that isn’t saying much. The entry fee of ¥4,500 lets you sample all of the brews on offer, which organizers ...
Stray across the street from Ginza boutique Y’s Wine Gallery and you’ll find a vintage Citroen bus that’s been transformed into an ad hoc rotisserie bar. Deux Ginza (2-8-19 Ginza, Chuo-ku; 03-6228-6081), a collaboration between Y’s and Nishi-Azabu Portuguese restaurant Vila Madalena, is all about slumming it in style. Glasses of wine cost a flat ...
You’ll have to wrestle with a Japanese interface to get the most out of Tokyo Happyhour (http://happyhourfor.me), but this is the kind of website that makes us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Launched in July, it provides a searchable database of boozing bargains around the capital, categorized by area, period of availability and so ...
Another year, another Marugo: the wine bar empire has just opened its fourth shop in Shinjuku, within easy stumbling distance of the east exit of the station. With seating for 170 people, Marugo V (1-2F Tops House, 3-20-8 Shinjuku; 03-6457-4505) is more bistro than wine bar, and comes with a varied menu of French- and ...
Ooh, it’s like a matsuri in the skies: All Nippon Airways has become the first airline to make draft beer available during domestic flights. For obvious reasons, the pressurized gas required to dispense beer from kegs is prohibited on airplanes, so ANA teamed up with fridge-makers Hoshizaki Electric to develop a server that uses dry ...
Such is the ubiquity of J-pop mega-group Exile that they’ve even got their own beer garden. Izakaya Exile is open for business until September 30 at Decks Tokyo Beach in Odaiba (6F Seaside Mall & 4F Island Mall, 1-6-1 Odaiba, Minato-ku; http://izakaya-exile.com). The menu includes food and drinks chosen by the boys themselves: try Takahiro’s ...
If you missed getting your German beer fix at the Hibiya Oktoberfest in May, take heart: newly opened Kaiserhof should help satisfy that craving (B1 Shin-Tokyo Bldg, 3-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku; www.eyema-ent.co.jp). The elegant Rococo interior conjures up a decadent, European atmosphere, while the staff uniform of dirndl and leiderhosen adds a touch of whimsy. You ...
Next time you’re bored with usual girls’ night out options, try a visit to Apollo (1-4-4 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku; www.show-apollo.com). This Ebisu hotspot is Tokyo’s one and only onabe show pub—a host club where the men aren’t lying when they claim to be in touch with their feminine sides. Take in the singing, dancing, and comedic ...
Seafaring types may be intrigued by Barba, a new addition to the Shimokitazawa nightlife scene (2F, 2-14-5 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga64600). The walls are plastered with naval charts, while various pirate knickknacks lurk in the corners. The food menu is loaded with appealing dishes, most priced at ¥500, with the specialty of the house being salmon ...
In other brews news, you can escape the heat at the limited-time Extra Cold Bar, open until August 31 in Ginza (2-6-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://meturl.com/extracold). The hallmark of this sleek tachinomiya is Asahi’s Super Dry Extra Cold, served at -2 to 0 degrees C (¥550) from special draft towers, with the exact temperature displayed in ...
The next time you’re in the mood for a cold one, make a beeline for the new Bamboo near Shinjuku-Gyoenmae (1-31-3 Shinjuku; http://beerbamboo.jugem.jp). Don’t let the name or the cute panda mascot fool you—when it comes to beer, this place means business. The daily selection of draft brews features tasty craft offerings like Baird Beer’s ...
With its subdued lighting and dark wood furniture, Hwaja (2F, 2-23-11 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku; www.ask-hwaja.jp) could pass for an old-school coffee shop. In fact, it’s one of a new breed of dining bars that put a cosmopolitan twist on Korean cuisine. The menu shows scant regard for geographical borders: try the avocado and kimchi (¥480) or ...
Everybody needs a little more chaos in their lives. And one place to get it is at Little Delirium (2-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku; www.deliriumcafe.jp/little), the new booze joint from the creators of the popular Delirium Café. It goes without saying that Delirium Tremens is available on tap (¥1,200), alongside a daily rotating selection of ten draft ...
If you’re looking to celebrate the start of summer with a night on the town, head over to Gallery (1-1-1 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku; www.gallery-roppongi.com). Part bar, part art exhibition space, this nightspot is one classy destination that, thanks to some new drink specials, won’t break anyone’s budget. At the Thursday night PNG party, entrance for ladies ...
The Daikanyama-Ebisu-Nakameguro triangle is a popular haven for those in search of something elegant but casual—something like, say, the new Trattoria Baccano (2F, 1-3-10 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga36200). This Italian hideaway uses only seasonal ingredients brought in daily from local producers, including beef from Fujii Farms in Ibaraki. Fill up on savory Italian dishes like seafood ...
If you can’t make it to Old Trafford, you can get the next best thing at Manchester United Cafe & Bar in Jimbocho, the venerable club’s third local venture into casual dining (1-41-3 Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku; www.mufb-japan.com). Customers can take in Premier and J-League games while munching on ¥300 and ¥500 tapas dishes, or quaffing a ...
“This ain’t no disco!” shout the organizers of UK club event London Calling (www.london-calling.jp), a monthly party dedicated to introducing the best local and international DJs. After a year that’s seen Monika Kruse, Ewan Pearson and Disco Bloodbath spin at its events, LC celebrates its third anniversary with a three-room, multi-genre party on June 11 ...
With a 3m-long binchotan grill and a menu full of prime Australian and Japanese beef, The Steakhouse in the ANA Intercontinental Tokyo is one of the city’s favorite chophouses (www.anaintercontinental-tokyo.jp; 03-3505-3911). Now you can drink there in style as well. A “Wine & Beer Bar” promotion running until September 30 offers diners an all-you-can-drink selection ...
The newly revamped Matrix Bar (now the New Matrix Bar) is having its seventh anniversary celebration on June 4 (3-13-6, Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.matrixbar.jp). The party usually starts at 6pm, with a happy hour from 6-10pm where all drinks are just ¥500. But for its anniversary, the bar is pulling out all the goodies. Not only ...
Italian café-bar chain Pronto (www.pronto.co.jp) may be best-known for affordable, quality pasta, but it’s becoming a go-to nightspot as well. To encourage the after-hours crowd, the shops have unveiled a new promotion: through June 11, when you order a highball or any other drink containing top-shelf whiskey—Hakushu 10 Year, Yamazaki 10 Year, Bowmore 12 Year ...
Wash away your rainy-season blues at the annual Aperitif Day (www.franceshoku.com/aperitif), a France-themed festival held simultaneously in more than 30 countries. Here in Tokyo, the action takes place on June 3 at Roppongi Hills Arena, with over 100 varieties of French wines, cocktails, liqueurs and other drinks. And that’s not all: top French chefs from ...
When the sticky metropolitan nights start getting you down—hey, we’re thinking ahead here—cool off at the open-air BBQ & Beer Terrace atop Shinjuku’s Lumine Est (www.lumine.ne.jp/est; 03-6273-2262). Through September, customers can enjoy the “Tori-gisu Khan” set, featuring “Genghis Khan”-style BBQ chicken plus all-you-can-drink beer, wine, nihonshu and cocktails for ¥3,600, or just kick back salaryman-style ...
The annual Japan Sake Fair is a can’t-miss event for local nihonshu lovers (www.japansake.or.jp/sake/fair). This year’s festival will be held on June 16 at Ikebukuro Sunshine City, with sessions from 10am-1pm and 4-8pm (¥3,000 adv/¥3,500 door). The kikizake tasting area offers all you can drink from approximately 450 varieties brewed this past winter, while over ...
Tokyo’s favorite New York-style lounge-slash-restaurant, 57, is turning 3 years old this month (B1, 4-2-35 Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.fiftyseven.co.jp), and to celebrate the big day, they’ll be throwing an invite-only casino-themed party on May 22. If you’re not on the guest list, don’t worry: from 10:30pm on, the event will be open to the public and ...
A man walks into a bar and orders a drink from the lawyer. This may sound like the opening to a bad joke, but at Roppoh, that kind of thing happens all the time (3F, 2-8-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku; www.legalbar.net). This so-called “legal bar” is owned, operated and staffed entirely by lawyers. The idea, says co-owner ...
Oktoberfest is still a long way off, but you can tide yourself over with some tasty German beers at the new Franziskaner in Roppongi Hills (6-4-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.zato.co.jp). Draft selections include Optimator, Premium Bock and Oktoberfestbier from Spaten, plus Franziskaner Weissebier and Hefe-Weissebier. An extensive list of schnapps and harder liquors such as Jaegermeister ...
Move over, tapas bars: the osteria is fast becoming the destination of choice for casual Mediterranean drinks and eats. Newly opened Osteria Barababao (9F Ginza Trecious, 2-6-5 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e802701) lets customers belly up to the counter and order small dishes from ¥100 and glasses of wine from ¥300. Or snag a table and tuck ...
While some restaurants are counting on class and cachet to see them through the recession, others like Takuju are taking the opposite route: offering stuff for free (2F, 1-8-15 Funabori, Edogawa-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga0e400). The pride of this traditional izakaya is its kikizake tasting corner, where patrons can sample up to three different nihonshu, gratis. The regular ...
Enjoy quality European cuisine while taking in a 180-degree view of classy Azabu-Juban at Asile Jaune (9F, 2-8-10 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku; www.asile-jaune.jp). This newly opened brasserie aims for a comfy, romantic atmosphere and an artsy Montmartre vibe. The lunch menu features the likes of chicken confit and braised pork, while à la carte fare includes what ...
If grilled meat and ice-cold pints sounds like your idea of a perfect evening, stop by the new Backstreet Brewery in Hamamatsucho (2-5-1 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g600184). This “brewery” might not actually make its own beer, but customers can enjoy the likes of Kirin, Heineken, Kilkenny and Guinness on tap (¥700-¥980 per pint), plus Budweiser, Bass ...
Even if you don’t fancy Japan’s chances in the upcoming World Cup, you can cheer the locals on in style at Nakata.net Café (1-22-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku; http://nakata.net/jp/cafe). Named after and operated by soccer legend Hidetoshi Nakata, the café will screen all 64 games of the tournament on giant screens. While checking out all the action, ...
Italians are famously fussy about the freshness of their ingredients, which is why at Allegro, only the finest organic vegetables, fish and meat are served—and at reasonable prices (11-16-2 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/p825602). The bar-restaurant’s spacious, high-ceilinged interior makes for a stylish yet warm atmosphere in keeping with specialties like fresh fish carpaccio (from ¥880) and ...
Located just seconds from Ginza station, the latest branch of upscale izakaya chain Hikari is an ideal spot for an after-work date or an elegant get-together (B1, 5-4-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku; www.hi-ka-ri.co.jp). Lounge on the comfy, sofa-style seats and admire the art-adorned walls while enjoying one of over 20 varieties of wine. Beer, including Corona and ...
It’s hard not to be intrigued by a place like Nos Org, which promises food, drink and “organic junk” (4-3 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g045639). Oxymorons aside, the newest outlet of this funky-chic chain—also found in Aoyama and Ebisu—features a Euro-mod main dining room surrounded by several themed koshitsu like the decadent, red Warsaw Room and the ...
Falling prices are one side effect of the recession that we’re not too troubled by—especially when it lets us enjoy an affordable night out. The “outlet wine” phenomenon was one of our favorite trends of 2009, so we’re only too happy to see that it’s now spreading to the beer world as well. Nakameguro Beer ...
Game geeks can get their Mario on at the new Famicom City, a so-called “TV game café bar” (5F, 12-12 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku; www.famicomcity.com). Pick your system of choice—everything from old-school Super Nintendo to PS3 and Wii—and play away at the tableside screens. The store’s library stocks over 600 games, so chances are you’ll find your ...
If you find yourself out in Koiwa one evening, pop over to have a bite at Ren (1-26-14 Nishi-Koiwa, Edogawa-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga27600). This izakaya describes its atmosphere as “Showa retro,” though the rather modish bar counter and leather sofas don’t look quite that bad to us. With food from ¥350 and drinks starting at ¥390, the ...
If the thought of going back to the sixth grade is enough to drive you to drink, then Shibuya’s latest gimmick bar, 6-Nen 4-Kumi, might be just the ticket (5F, 32-12 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga13000). Patrons of this izakaya can get their party on in the principal’s room, the art room or the science lab. Check ...
After Shibuya, Shinjuku is the next best place to find über-cheap eats and drinks, and that’s certainly the case at City Club (2-23-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku; www.city-club.jp). This old-school sports bar features plenty of space for customers to settle down while checking out the game on the three large TV screens. The food is basic—fried shrimp, ...
Tokyo Midtown is gearing up to host one of the world’s largest wine festivals, Wurstmarkt (www.zato.co.jp). In keeping with the German name, this event will give visitors the chance to experience some of the great unrecognized wines from Deutschland. Winemakers on offer include Gebruder Ludwig, Balthasar Ress, Dautel and Salwey, plus the fair’s signature drink, ...
The capital’s classiest beer festival returns to Tokyo Midtown this month. From April 23-25, Cuisine du Grande Bière (www.beertaster.org) will offer up over 60 beers from 30 different breweries around Japan, which visitors can enjoy alongside the gourmet food buffet provided by Dean & Deluca. The ticket price (¥4,100 adv/¥5,900 with ¥2,000 food ticket) includes ...
If you can’t handle anything more adult than Hello Kitty, Shibuya’s Renma should be just the thing (3F, 24-4 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g454114). The decor at this girly izakaya is emphatically not for salarymen, with koshitsu featuring pink sofa seats swathed in white drapery. Food specialties include cheese fondue (¥1,260) and tender beef cheek simmered in ...
It seems that you can never have too many Italian joints in Ebisu—or at least, that’s the philosophy that Buona Italia appears to be following. The company behind local lynchpins Delicioso Italia, Vacanza and Bar de Boo recently added a new member to its family… also in Ebisu. Bar and osteria Oggi (4-9-5 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku; ...
Hanabi in Kamata bills itself as an “izakaya-style dining bar” (2F, 7-29-7 Nishi-Kamata, Ota-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga0z000). Head-scratching Engrish constructions aside, any place whose menu has a dedicated “junk foods” section just below the salads gets a thumbs-up from us. The drink menu has a decent bottled beer list, including Becks (¥680), Moretti (¥680) and Newton (¥780). ...
Back in the Edo era, Nihombashi was known for having a spectacular view of Mt. Fuji—the same view that can now be seen from the Mandarin Bar on the 37th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel (www.mandarinoriental.com). From April 1, the Mandarin will be serving a special Nihombashi cocktail, created in honor of the famous ...
Baseball fans know exactly where to celebrate the start of the new season: at the MLB Café (4-19-19 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku; www.mlbcafe.jp). On April 6 from 7:30pm, the restaurant is hosting an Opening Day kickoff event in its second floor Diamond Club. Games will be broadcast on giant 360-degree screens, putting you literally in the middle ...
Get a taste of the islands at Kawasaki’s newest hangout, Y2 Dining Heaven (4F, 14-16 Ogawacho, Kawasaki-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e951600). Name notwithstanding, the bar’s black-box interior is more clublike than heavenly, with palm tree accents giving it a tropical feel. Couples can cozy up on the leather sofas, while groups of friends hang out at the large ...
Darts lovers in ’Baba, meanwhile, have a new place to relax with the recent opening of 7th Chord Line (2F 1-27-2 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku; www.7th-chord.net). There’s no cover charge to enter, and the bar also shows soccer and other pro sports games on big-screen TVs. Be sure to check out the happy hour every day from ...
Anyone who’s into the glamorous fashion scene in Tokyo has probably heard of F. Bar (1-4-5 Azabu-Juban, Minato-ku; www.fbar.jp). The official lounge of Fashion TV is designed to be part high-class club, part networking arena for industry insiders. But that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t get in on the action too, including at ...
Newly reopened Vis-à-Vis (3-3 Y Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a775510) is a cozy little tapas bar that offers a selection of handpicked Spanish wines by the bottle (from ¥2,500), plus Cava (¥3,500-¥4,000) and Jerez (¥800 per glass). Traditional cocktails like sangria, Tinto de Verano and Calimocho fill out the menu without breaking the bank (¥300-¥500). P Pair ...
Another recent reopening is Iidabashi’s Kitamachi Shouten (2-3-7 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g652805). This friendly izakaya bills itself as a down-home hangout, with high-class ingredients like Kagoshima’s famed Satsuma chiran-dori chicken and juicy grilled hotate from Aomori (¥380). But the real specialty is the kushiage (¥150-¥200), available in over 20 varieties and a perfect match for the ...
What’s not to love about a bar named Likkle More (2-24-5 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku; www.bar-likklemore.jp)? L Located next to Shimokitazawa station, this new watering hole proclaims itself to be an “almighty bar.” That smacks of hyperbole, but the eight-page drink menu is pretty comprehensive. Bottled beers include Carlsberg, Heartland, Tiger, Red Stripe and Heineken (¥650-¥900), and ...
The First Bar is having a birthday (B1 5-5-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.thefirstbar.com). On Thursday, March 18, the popular Roppongi hangout is celebrating its third anniversary with a night of merriment and mayhem. Early-birds and the post-work crowd can enjoy bottled beers for just ¥300 from 6-9pm. After that, all drinks are only ¥500 until midnight, ...
On January 18, six days after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, the Japan Rum Association launched a fundraising drive, collecting donations from customers to help rebuild the Caribbean nation. Just two weeks into the campaign, they presented a check for ¥238,713 to the Haiti Embassy of Japan’s charge d’affaires, who promised to deliver the ...
It’s hard to resist (or should that be resist giggling at?) a place with a name like Hobo Jungle, especially when the menu consists mostly of Spam (3F, 3-1-21 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/ga06600). Of special note are the Spam musubi “sushi” (¥450) and the honey-drizzled Spam and camembert grill (¥900). If processed meat isn’t really your ...
Over in Ginza we find Manana Tawawa, the latest Spanish-themed venue to open its doors (5F, 8-10-17 Ginza, Chuo-ku; www.la-manana.com). Aside from the usual paella, Iberico pork and tapas assortments, Manana also claims to be Ginza’s only tablao, a nightspot offering food, drink and flamenco. The dancers here put on three shows a night, complete ...
Good news for Koenji denizens: Planet 3rd has officially reopened (2-49-18 Koenji-Minami, Suginami-ku; www.cafecompany.co.jp). This café/bar, from the folks who brought us Wired Café and Respekt in Shibuya, originally closed down at the beginning of 2008 when the building housing it was earmarked for demolition (it’s still standing). Visitors to the new shop can apparently ...
En is tucked away in the commuter enclave of Nishi-Kasai, so it’s no surprise to find that one of the bar’s specialties is Hoppy (2F, 3-17-12 Nishi-Kasai, Edogawa-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e951000). This non-alcoholic “beer-like” beverage was a Showa-era staple, either served on its own (¥250) or mixed with shochu (¥380). Drinkers who prefer to avoid fake beer ...
With the construction of the new Tokyo Tower along Sumida River, some may argue that Asakusa is losing its traditional feel. But at the newly opened Furusato Sakaba, at least, the shitamachi spirit is alive and well (1-1-13 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e991600). This izakaya features homey tatami mat seating and warm lighting backed by a menu ...
The goal of new dining bar Yagentei, according to its website, is to “offer dishes that will surprise” (2-14-27 Akasaka, Minato-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g942100/). Whether they succeed in that mission remains to be seen, but one thing which does come as a surprise is the upscale hangout’s delivery service, providing hot-from-the-fryer tonkatsu and bento to central Tokyo. ...
If veggies and wine are what your taste buds are craving, stop by at Olive Des Kyo-Yaki Yasai in Ebisu (4-23-14 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e863801). This is a “one coin” bar of a different stripe, offering a range of grilled vegetables drizzled with olive oil—from Hokkaido potato to kyo-yasai like shimeji mushrooms—for just ¥500 a pop. ...
The Kawara dining chain is famous for its decor, and the latest addition to the family is no exception. Hanare (4-6-18 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a418513) boasts wall art by in-demand designer Black Belt Jones DC, which looms over an array of sofas and secluded booths that are perfect for parties and gokon group dates. Ebisu is ...
There’s only one spirit that can lure over 5,000 people to Tokyo Big Sight on a Sunday afternoon: whisky. On February 21, hordes of enthusiasts will descend on the Odaiba convention center to meet the makers—and taste their latest releases—at Whisky Live Japan (www.whiskylivejapan.com). Now in its tenth year, the event is staged by Whisky ...
Next time you find yourself shepherding visiting friends around Tokyo, you might want to head to Kuromatsu Nakiryu no Ma (4F, 1-19-11 Nishi-Shinjuku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a180701/), whose dramatic, red and black decor draws on the famous nakiryu dragon paintings found on the ceilings of many temples. The sake cellar holds 200 bottles, including a wide selection of ...
Last year was all about injecting “common” Japanese foods with a shot of elegance by pairing them with wine. With the opening of Daidai this year, it’s clear that this trend isn’t going away (5-1-7 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g809803). This relaxed, elegant nightspot serves charcoal-grilled kushiyaki dishes made with free-range chicken, Iberico pork and fresh seasonal ...
Another recent trend—thanks mainly to the economic downturn—has been the proliferation of cheap eat-and-drinkeries like Caribbean Café (1-9-2 Takezono, Tsukuba-shi; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e825800). This pirate-themed suburban hangout comes complete with faux palm trees and tables shaped like barrels. The menu operates on the ever-popular “one-coin” principle, with a range of sours, wine, beer and liquor going for ...
If you find yourself stuck without a date this Valentine’s Day, you can always drown your sorrows at the 8th Annual Tokyo Real Ale Festival (www.tokyorealale.org). Held February 14 from 1-5pm at Sumida Riverside Hall, the annual brew-fest regularly draws sold-out crowds to enjoy the finest real, cask-conditioned ale that Japan has to offer. Entrance ...
When it comes to cheap eats, Shibuya is the obvious choice. But with the opening of Atsubei, denizens of Minato-ku can give their wallets a break, too (3-20-9 Shibaura, Minato-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e884700). This casual hangout offers down-home cooking like motsu nikomi (¥390) and ham katsu (¥320), with all items clocking in at under ¥500. The drinks ...
When you’re in the mood for quality rather than quantity, check out the newly opened Gin in Gotanda (2F, 1-11-5 Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e864900). The bar’s extensive drinks selection is based around the concept of “Made in Japan”: in addition to over 40 brands of nihonshu, it boasts a wide range of whisky and other liquors ...
Slip away to a classic European vineyard at Axshe in Sangenjaya (1-36-1 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku; http://axshe.com). This elegant nightspot recreates the atmosphere of a vintage wine cellar, complete with dim mood lighting and wall accents reminiscent of wooden casks. But if the food and atmosphere are decidedly Continental, the selection of vino is more global in ...
For something a little more chic, head to Hi, a hip new lounge in Nishi-Azabu (4F, 2-5-14 Nishi-Azabu, Minato-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e924800). The state-of-the-art DJ booth and plush leather couches nestled off to the side keep the wood-paneled interior feeling open and uncluttered. But the real highlights are the large windows offering views of Roppongi Hills, fronted ...
While swanky lounges are par for the course in Minato-ku, they’re harder to come by in Sagamihara. Do-tun (6-15-43 Sagami-Ono, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e935300) might change all that. The main room features an elegant bar area and cozy booths under a high ceiling, overlooked by an intimate second-floor VIP area filled with cushy, almost bed-like sofas. ...
Happy hour is one of those brilliant institutions that are hard to take advantage of while working the daily grind here in Japan. With its convenient location, though, Shibuya’s Tap Borrow (2F, 3-15-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e747901) makes things a little easier for thirsty pencil pushers. The Irish pub’s happy hour runs until 7pm every day, ...
The holidays may be over, but there’s still time to celebrate the New Year. And what better way than by loosening up your shinnenkai with cheap bottles of wine? In honor of the new decade, Akasaka wine bar Muku (1F, 3-21-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku; www.mubu-muku.co.jp) is offering up bottles for a celebratory price of ¥2,010. While ...
In an innovative promotion for its mega-hit series Dragon Quest, game maker Square Enix is opening a real-life recreation of popular fictional hangout Luida’s Bar on January 28, on the first floor of karaoke chain Pasela’s Roppongi location (5-16-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku; www.paselabo.tv/luidas_bar). Within the game, Luida’s is a recurring setting where players can interact with ...
We’ll give you one guess what the specialty of the house is at Yebisu Bar, which recently opened in Ginza to commemorate the brand’s 120th anniversary (8-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/yebisubar-g). Yes, there’s only one beer to be found on the pub’s menu, although it comes in several different varieties. In addition to the standard brew, ...
Another new face on Ginza’s nightlife scene is Wine Shokudo (7-4-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a606106). This casual hangout features a bright, spacious interior perfect for idling the evening away with friends. The wine cellar is stocked with a 150-strong array of bottles from around the world. Champagne and sparkling wines start at ¥1,000, while most reds ...
Yumiko Uchida opened Organica with the idea of creating a space for health-conscious folks to enjoy tasty food and good music (2-7-2 Fujimi, Chiyoda-ku; www.organica.asia). This all-organic café serves quality grub like Goto beef in bolognaise wine sauce (¥980) along with a selection of organic wines (glasses from ¥500) and bottled Belgian beer, including Duvel ...
Named after one of the wonders of the Western world, Le Mont-St-Michel (3-4-15 Meijiro, Toshima-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e888300) recreates the atmosphere of a Normandy crêperie. Everything on the menu, from wines and ciders to authentic galettes and homemade jams, is imported directly from France. The impressive list of French wines includes bottles from Faiveley and Chateau Mas ...
They may be fairly common now, but for us, the opening of a new branch of Sekai no Yama-chan is always cause for celebration. This time, Hachioji is the lucky locale (2F, 3-14 Misakicho, Hachioji-shi; www.yamachan.co.jp), joining the Nagoya-based izakaya chain’s other outlets in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara and elsewhere. The famous “maboroshi no tebasaki” chicken ...
People back home may call tempura “Japanese food for beginners,” but over here, the masters have practically made it an art form. The newly opened Taka in Oimachi is certainly aiming for that level of refinement (2F, 5-15-16 Higashi-Oimachi, Shinagawa-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e904900). The bar bills itself as a relaxed hideaway where adults can escape from their ...
The new 831 in Ebisu works on the philosophy that a bar shouldn’t have to be just about alcohol (B1, 1-7-13 Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a243103). Sure, this pub offers the standard array of cocktails (from ¥800) and wines by the glass (¥700), plus seasonal fruit cocktails made to taste and to order (from ¥1,000). But it’s ...
Chiba is already the butt of countless jokes, and Urayasu’s latest opening, Bar 80s Jr, isn’t going to help matters much (8F, 1-16-14 Kitazakae, Urayasu-shi, Chiba; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e797201). This study in tackiness boasts unabashedly neon décor, no cover charge, and waitresses clad in Budweiser dresses with go-go boots. Everything from bottles of Bud to vodka tonic ...
The recently renovated Akaneya is of the opinion that quality trumps quantity (B1, 2-14-27 Akasaka, Minato-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g041500). Or at least, that’s what we gathered from their beer line-up. Though the bar serves only two brews on tap—Heartland and Kirin dark (¥480), plus half-and-half (¥550)—they are poured by a graduate of the Kirin Draft Masters School. ...
When we wrote about Asakusa’s new Amuse Museum (right) last month, we neglected to mention an important detail: you can also drink there. Along with innovative displays covering various aspects of Japanese culture, the self-proclaimed “live museum” also features a pair of elegantly appointed watering holes. The fifth floor Gallery Bar Cafe Cinq is a ...
Everyone’s heard of dessert wine, but we think the concept of a “sweets and wine” bar might be taking things a bit too far. Still, that’s exactly what’s up at Castillo (7-8-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/a275202). This new Ginza nightspot—and we mean that literally, as the place doesn’t even open until midnight—serves desserts like profiterole, hot ...
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Countdown to the Year of the Dragon at Club Dragon (1F Stork Nagasaki, 2-11-4 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku; 03-3341-0606), Ni-Chome’s spacious gay lounge staffed with friendly English-speaking waiters dressed in hot pants like go-go-boys. Not only are they foreigner-friendly, female entry is also allowed—though ladies may not get the same great deals as the men. Drinks are ...