Spend a weekend in Tokyo, and you’ll realize it’s a city that really likes to drink and party. The city is practically overflowing with after-hour hangouts catering to all tastes, and we do mean all.
Whether you’re looking to rub shoulders with friendly locals, dance to disco in the city’s vibrant LGBT district or get geeky at a gamer bar, you’ll find just what you’re after.
Tokyo has almost too many options to choose from though, and wandering into just any back-alley joint can be a bit scary if you’ve got limited Japanese skills. Here are 10 of the coolest foreigner-friendly bars in Tokyo where anyone can enjoy a drink until their last train—or later.
Beat Cafe
Tucked deep in the love hotel district of Shibuya‘s Dogenzaka sits basement bar Beat Cafe. This cozy, cavernous hangout has long been known as a favorite among international residents, Tokyo-born locals and those just passing through.
There’s no novelty here; it’s just a well-worn dive bar with reasonably-priced drinks, a love for indie rock and extended opening hours. If you’re looking for somewhere laid back to start your night, or a place to wind down after visiting one of Shibuya’s larger clubs, Beat Cafe is always there and the crowd is always friendly.
- Hours: 8 p.m. to late (sometimes until 7 a.m. depending on how busy it is)
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥600 to ¥700
- 150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−13−5 - Map
- https://www.facebook.com/beatcafe
Ginza 300 Bar
While the clientele at Ginza’s 300 Bar is usually a 50/50 split between nearby office workers looking for a cheap drink and international patrons, its focus is very much international. The bar, where patrons drink while standing rather than sitting, is known for serving impressive cocktails for the bargain price of ¥300.
If you’re overwhelmed by choice, go for their mojito which was awarded “Japan’s Best Mojito” by the Cuban Embassy in Japan. A little insider’s tip: get there early, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. when they serve top-shelf spirits for ¥300 too.
- Hours: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥300
- 104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 8 Chome−3−12 Tsuga Building B1 - Map
- https://www.300bar.com/
Berry’s at Just Another Space
It’s hard to find a lot of information about Berry’s, but that’s part of its charm. This hidden bar in Nakameguro is popular with Tokyo’s international crowd, but it’s not a tourist location. It’s a place that most people are introduced to through friends, which is why you’ll notice the vibe feels more like a house party than a typical bar.
It’s located on the third floor of the studio rental warehouse Just Another Space. Head there on a Saturday. The party usually kicks off around 10 p.m. and the drink prices are standard—about ¥700 for a bottle of Sapporo beer— but the table tennis is free!
- Hours: 9 p.m. to late on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥700 to ¥900
- 160-0022 Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Kamimeguro 1-3-93F - Map
- http://justanotherspace.com/
New Sazae
Groovy.
This secretive disco bar located on the second floor of a nondescript building in Shinjuku Ni-chome is the oldest in the area having opened back in 1966. Here it’s all about disco, dancing, and making new friends from all walks of life.
Ni-chome, the gay neighborhood of Shinjuku, is one of the most culturally diverse districts in the city so you’ll find a cross-section of folks here, LGBT or otherwise. If there’s one particular bar in this rowdy neighborhood you have to add to your itinerary, it’s New Sazae.
- Hours: 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Fri and Sat
- Cover charge: ¥1000 (includes one drink)
- Average drink price: ¥800
- 160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 2 Chome−18−5 - Map
- https://twitter.com/NEWSAZAE1966
Bar Ghetto
If you want a cozy, local Japanese bar experience that still has a level of international familiarity, then pop by Bar Ghetto—a laid back joint tucked behind Shimokitazawa’s Suzunari theatre. The bar is dingy, and there’s only space for about 10 people, but the intimacy makes it a great place to get to know the locals who float through.
The bartender speaks English, and the drink selection covers all the standards. It’s become a popular place for local expats to hang out, so if you want some tips on places to visit, chances are you’ll be able to gather some insider knowledge here.
- Hours: 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥500 to ¥800
- 155-0031 Tokyo, Shibuya, 4 Chome-5-9 - Map
- https://www.facebook.com/Ghetto.unko/
Aoyama Tunnel
The underground venue Aoyama Tunnel is for dance music fans, and late-night party animals. Open from 8 p.m. until 10 a.m. five days a week, the venue’s main focus is house and techno, with DJs playing vinyl records all night long.
In terms of staff and clientele, the patrons are pretty mixed, but it’s very popular with more European crowds. Cocktails are always reasonable, and most of the staff do speak a bit of English, so if you’re after something a little more niche drink-wise you shouldn’t have too much trouble ordering it.
- Hours: 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. Tues to Sun
- Cover charge: Usually ¥1000 (includes one drink)
- Average drink price: ¥500 to ¥1000
- 150-0002 Tokyo, Setagaya City, Kitazawa, 1 Chome-45-16 - Map
- http://aoyama-tunnel.com/#/
Good Beer Faucets
Craft beer is still a relatively new concept in Japan, even though it’s a staple in many Western countries. Shibuya’s Good Beer Faucets is one craft beer hangout in Tokyo and is naturally super popular with international crowds.
The casual dining and drinking venue has 40 different types of Japanese craft beer on tap, and the lineup changes daily, so even regulars will always have something new to try.
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Mon to Thurs; 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fri; 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Sat; 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sun
- Cover charge: Free
- Average drink price: ¥600 to ¥1600
- 150-0046 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shoto, 1 Chome−29−1 - Map
- http://shibuya.goodbeerfaucets.jp/
Albatross G
One of the biggest barriers to enjoying Japan’s nightlife for foreign folks is trying to navigate which bars welcome Japanese patrons only and which ones are happy to have transient clientele. Yes, discrimination is totally a (legal) thing in Japan.
Photo by: Gallery and Bar Albatross Decadent decor.
Albatross G, hidden within the labyrinth of the wild red-light district Kabukicho, is the latter. For a ¥500 entrance charge, you can pull up a seat between the chandeliers at this compact double-story bar and drink world-class cocktails among the Kabukicho madness until the sun comes up.
- Hours 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily
- Cover charge: ¥500
- Average drink price: ¥500 to ¥1000
- 160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome-1-7 - Map
- http://www.alba-s.com/#/f2
Ruby Room
Photo by: Joshua Rappeneker Toxic Lipstick performing at the Ruby Room.
Ruby Room is a failsafe hangout in the middle of Shibuya’s nightlife chaos. This live-music centric bar hosts a rotating roster of events all week long, most of which are foreign-run. The bar itself is rather no-frills, but the drinks are around ¥600, the music is good, and the vibe is always inclusive, what more do you need?
- Hours: 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily
- Coverage charge: Free unless there's a live show
- Average drink price: ¥500 to ¥700
- 150-0043 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Dogenzaka, 2 Chome−25−17 Kasumi Building 4F - Map
- http://rubyroomtokyo.com/
8bit Cafe
Embrace your inner otaku at 8bit cafe. Hidden on the fifth floor of a rather ramshackle looking building in Shinjuku, this retro game bar is covered from table to ceiling in gaming paraphernalia, but that’s just where the gaming obsession begins.
8bit is a great place to spend the night if you’ve missed your last train (or even if you haven’t).
There are Super Nintendos to play for a fee, and themed drinks like the “Dr. Mario” and “Princess Peach’s Temptation.” We couldn’t have a list of bars in Tokyo, without including just a bit of video game nerdom could we?
- Hours: 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily, closed Tuesday
- Cover charge: ¥500
- Average drink price: ¥700 to ¥1000
- 160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−8−9 Shinjuku Q Building 5F - Map
- http://8bitcafe.net/index.html
