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Any nice bars in Tokyo for pure drink with good atmosphere?

Manami TMK

Manami TMK

Tokyo Escort, fully vaccinated
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My friends from Europe is coming to Tokyo soon. They are looking for small, stylish bars in Tokyo. But since I don't drink at all and when I go to bar which happens very few times a year, it is usually ones at hotel.
They are asking a wrong person....

Any recommendations?
 
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Manami TMK said:
My friends from Europe is coming to Tokyo soon. They are looking for small, stylish bars in Tokyo. But since I don't drink at all and when I go to bar which happens very few times a year, it is usually ones at hotel.
They are asking a wrong person....

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Not really "stylish" but they should try at least once to go to Golden Gai bars. Albatross is probably the most "stylish" of them (kind of barocco interior) and obviously its small, since its in Golden Gai.
 
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Goldengai is a good call, visitors love it. Its a unique place. Hotel bars, although stylish, are kinda the same the world over.
 
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Frenchy said:
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Not really "stylish" but they should try at least once to go to Golden Gai bars. Albatross is probably the most "stylish" of them (kind of barocco interior) and obviously its small, since its in Golden Gai.
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Yes, not stylish but a must visit place for tourists. I've had a lot of fun at Albatross before, that's the place with a second floor and they have a hole in the floor with an improvised elevator to take drinks up there, right?

There was a bar tender there that was super cool and he actually let me mix up a batch of Long Island Ice Tea for some flight attendants.

I also like Nonbei Yokocho (Drunkard's Alley) in Shibuya and Shinjuku's Piss Alley.

For something swanky, there is the Manhattan Bar at the top of the Park Hyatt Hotel. That's the bar from the Bill Murray movie, "Lost in Translation."

On weekday nights it isn't too packed with people, and it would be a fun place to take visitors.
 
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Jbagz said:
Yes, not stylish but a must visit place for tourists. I've had a lot of fun at Albatross before, that's the place with a second floor and they have a hole in the floor with an improvised elevator to take drinks up there, right?

There was a bar tender there that was super cool and he actually let me mix up a batch of Long Island Ice Tea for some flight attendants.

I also like Nonbei Yokocho (Drunkard's Alley) in Shibuya and Shinjuku's Piss Alley.

For something swanky, there is the Manhattan Bar at the top of the Park Hyatt Hotel. That's the bar from the Bill Murray movie, "Lost in Translation."

On weekday nights it isn't too packed with people, and it would be a fun place to take visitors.
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Agreed, love this bar too but it could end up costing much more than a dinner (when they have jazz music there is a cover charge of 6000 yens per person if I remember well), also its fairly big. But it's a must if you love visiting great bars, granted.

Albatross is the one in the pic , in my post. Didnt notice the elevator but yes, there are 2 floors. Its often full though, and not very intimate.
 
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Frenchy said:
Agreed, love this bar too but it could end up costing much more than a dinner (when they have jazz music there is a cover charge of 6000 yens per person if I remember well), also its fairly big. But it's a must if you love visiting great bars, granted.
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Yes, Manhattan Bar is expensive, but it is the kind of place that will be a hit with visiting friends.

That hotel is so beautiful and is has some great sculptures in the main lobby. Also the view of the city is spectacular from the bar.


Albatross is the one in the pic , in my post. Didnt notice the elevator but yes, there are 2 floors. Its often full though, and not very intimate.
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The drink elevator wasn't much more than a bucket on a rope and pulley.

I had a fantastic time there and the tight space facilitated lots of talking with people at nearby tables.

It had people from all over the world there and a handful of friendly locals.
 
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I usually stay in Shinagawa as there's no hawkers etc there.
I've been heading over to Atre there a few times.
Thee is a big hall with about 6 bars / restaurants there. All are good value for money and gave a good vibe.
 
Manami TMK said:
My friends from Europe is coming to Tokyo soon. They are looking for small, stylish bars in Tokyo. But since I don't drink at all and when I go to bar which happens very few times a year, it is usually ones at hotel.
They are asking a wrong person....

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
I'd take them to Japanese style small bars like the ones in Yanaka Ginza near Nippori station
 
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Thank you guys. I am glad that I asked here. You know Tokyo night scene a lot more than I do...

I guess it is better idea to suggest them more than one place with different scent of Japan to Europe. I totally forgot about the famous Golden Gai.
 
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