Tokyo may be known for being the mecca of fresh seafood and food in general but to bar aficionados, it is one of the top places where you can get the full works as far as quality libations are concerned.
Cocktail drinking (and making) is serious business in Tokyo and it’s even treated as seriously as a traditional tea ceremony. Here, master craftsmen exercise the same passion, professionalism and pinpoint precision that drives the city’s food culture, creating a stunning repertoire of drinkable intoxications that’ll leave you in awe.
Arguably some of the best in Southeast Asia, albeit pricey, here is our carefully curated list of Tokyo’s best cocktail bars.
1. Bar Benfiddich – Drinks that employ exotic flora, spices & herbs
Opened by Saitama-born Hiroyasu Kayama, a veteran bartender who, prior to opening Bar Benfiddich in 2013, worked for several years at Nishi-Azabu mixology bar Amber, the bar offers an impressive selection of rare whiskies and unique cocktails that play on a variety of ingredients from the head bartender’s hometown.
The bar is dim, moody and dark, designed to fit Kayama’s apothecary style cocktails which adopts different varietals of exotic flora, foraged from his parents’ home just up north from tokyo. Things such as anise, fennel, wormwood, mint, juniper and all manner of other herbs and spices.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−13−7 大和家ビル 9F
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +81 3-6279-4223
2. Bar Orchard Ginza – Popular cocktail bar in Ginza run by a couple
Run by husband-and-wife team, Takuo and Sumire Miyanohara, the drinks at Bar Orchard Ginza are fun, exciting and lean toward the bright flavours of seasonal fruit.
The duo serve up their drinks in a number of ways, implementing both traditional technique, modern mixology along with some mild theatrics from liquid nitrogen and foams. Whether you’re in for some whacky concoctions or a straight up Old Fashioned, they’ll be happy to whip one up for you.
Address: Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 6 Chome−5−16 三楽ビル ７階
Opening Hours: 6PM – 11.30PM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +81 3-3575-0333
3. Bar Trench – Ranked no. 23 in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Referencing from vintage-style European bars with its dark timber textures and dimmed interior, Bar Trench serves up an array of cocktails that encompass the classics as well as herbaceous drinks formulated around ingredients such as absinthe, amaretto (almond liqueur) along with a vast array of homemade bitters.
Helmed by dapper head bartender, Brazilian-Japanese Rogerio Igarashi, expect an exciting compilation of intriguing drinks including vintage libations and modern abbreviations of popular classics. Some drinks, such as his famed Uplifted Morning Glory, sees a potent mix of absinthe and Nikka whisky, making it so strong that it could probably serve itself.
See the full list of winners of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019.
Address: Japan, 〒150-0021 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Ebisunishi, 1 Chome−5−8 ＤＩＳビル
Opening Hours: 7PM – 2AM (Mon to Sat), 7PM – 1AM (Sunday)
Contact: +81 3-3780-5291
4. Gen Yamamoto – Book months in advance to get a seat here
Walking down the narrow alley of Azabu-juban, you’d never guess a nondescript building hides one of Tokyo’s best speakeasy bars. The bar sports a minimalistic aesthetics with an L-shaped wooden bar, strikingly similar to an upmarket omakase restaurant.
Gen Yamamoto offers a cocktail tasting menu created by carefully selected seasonal local ingredients and a range of premium spirits. Their drinks menu reflects the Japanese word ‘Shiki’ which means seasonality. A testament to statement, landing yourself a seat at this unassuming speakeasy can take weeks or even months.
Address: Japan, 〒106-0045 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabujuban, 1 Chome−6−4 アニバーサリービル1F
Opening Hours: 3PM – 11PM (Tue to Sat), Closed on Sundays & Mondays
Contact: +81 3-6434-0652
5. High Five – Awarded Tokyo’s Best Bar in Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Having been around for more than a decade now, this famous cocktail bar in Tokyo’s glitzy Ginza district is something of a pilgrimage for cocktail aficionados everywhere. An intimate space, their back bar boasts hundreds of spirits and just as many infusions, bitters and ingredients to best come up with the perfect drink to suit every customer.
High Five doesn’t have a menu and solely relies on interaction with guests to hone in on what drink should be concocted—from the brand of spirit right down to the garnish of choice. Don’t worry about language barriers because the bar now employs international staff to accommodate everyone.
Address: B/F, Efflore Ginza 5 Bldg., 5-4-15 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 5PM – 1AM (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sundays
Contact: +81 3-3571-5815
6. Mixology Salon – Cocktails infused with Japanese tea
Founded by master mixologist Shuzo Nagumo, Mixology Salon goes against the stereotype of a typical prim and proper cocktail bar in Ginza. Here, the vibe is warm and welcoming, the staff are friendly and the drinks are out of the world.
The bar specialises in cocktails accented with Japanese tea leaves. So don’t be surprised to find hojicha-infused bourbon and oolong-infused rum among their repertoire of spirits. For first-timers, we recommend you go for a ‘Teatail’ course, where you can choose between three to five cocktails made with different tea leaves to reflect different flavour profiles.
Address: Ginza Six, 6 Chome-10-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM
Contact: +81 3-6280-6622
7. The SG Club – Featured in World’s 50 Best Bars 2019
Harnessing the best of both Japanese and American bartending styles, and incorporating unusual flavour combinations, founder (and legendary bartender) Shingo Gokan has truly set a new standard for Tokyo’s cocktail scene. The SG Club emphasises on professionalism and precision yet keeps things fun and fairly light-hearted.
The bar spans two floors, the top being Guzzle and the bottom being Sip. At Guzzle, drinks tend to be more approachable. Whereas at Sip, the cocktails offered take on a more spirit-forward direction.
Address: 1 Chome-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan
Opening Hours: 11.30AM – 2AM (Sun to Thu), 11.30AM – 3AM (Fri & Sat)
Contact: +81 3-6427-0204
Read our guide to Japan’s nightlife.
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