10 Best Bars In Ginza, Tokyo

In either case, the hostess will leave after a certain amount of time or number of drinks, offering the customer a chance to see a fresh face. While most establishments have male touts outside to bring in customers, it may also fall upon a hostess to do so.

There's no menu, so be prepared to answer a few questions about your drink preferences after you’ve descended into the dark, sleek space. The experience is reminiscent of the old Milk & Honey, even while somehow feeling unique to Tokyo. It’s really not surprising that Japanese cocktail bars are so popular because the drinks they make are amazing. There is no such thing as bog standard with these places, everything is unique. This doesn’t mean that they are kitschy and cheesy, with an inauthentic air, like a caricature of a culture.

Even if you are not a heavy drinker, their innovative presentation would warrant a visit. In addition to its normal menu, the bar serves a few non-alcoholic drinks. Late in our stay, we ordered a Cinderella, a short cocktail made with orange, pineapple, and lemon. Sipping our cocktails, we got the impression that Lupin is as much a museum as it is a bar, offering modern Tokyo a rare glimpse and taste of its Shōwa past. While the same drinks are available in any contemporary bar, Lupin still uses the same ingredients it did back in the day. And while some visitors may grumble about their cocktails, it's probably because Lupin serves them the old-fashioned way, giving you the chance to appreciate the context of history. Shunning the pretension that characterises a lot of Ginza bars, Bar Musashi is a welcoming, ever-friendly addition to the area’s nightlife landscape.

The interior is coolly stylish and spacious, making it an ideal location for groups or those wanting a little privacy. Close to Shimbashi Station, drop by for a couple of drinks as you pass through. Ginza Bar Tender is 銀座 home to Mr. Hard Shake himself, Kazuo Ueda, the inventor of Japan’s biggest contribution to the world of cocktails. Well into his seventies, Ueda is still going strong, maintaining his bar’s reputation as one of Tokyo’s best. The drinks are famously strong, and although pricey, the cosy ambience makes a tipple or two well worth it.

The nightlife here runs the gamut, from rowdy izakayas and beer bars, to red-light entertainment and the infamous (and now-defunct) Robot Restaurant, as well as Tokyo’s small but lively gay district (2-chome, Ni-Chome). The current newness of the bar doesn’t jar with the continuation of amazing cocktails, classics mostly but with surprising innovation. Bar High Five has become one of the most respected and popular classic Ginza-style bars in Tokyo.Discover classic cocktails with surprising innovations.

One of the first true “standing bars” in the city , Ginza 300 Bar 5-Chome has an intimate atmosphere that allows bartenders to interact closely with the patrons. A perfect spot to take a break from the plastic hassle of shopping in central Ginza, this is the location that started the trend. Relax, unwind and enjoy a smaller spot that offers a little more intimacy to sample from the vast menu of organic cocktails and drinks available for just ¥300 or to ask the friendly bartenders for recommendations or inspiration.