Hiroyasu Kayama's charming bar resembles an apothecary thanks to numerous herbal infusions and unusual potions that line the shelves. Clad in a white jacket, the bartender can often be found grinding roots, herbs and spices grown on his family's own plot of land, which add complexity to aromatic cocktails based on gin, whisky, absinthe and amaro. They are also used in homemade liqueurs – the bar is well-known for making its own version of Campari.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best 50 Bars

Photo Credit: Best 50 Bars in the World

Address: 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−13−7 大和家ビル 9F

Hours: Closed Sundays, 6pm - 1am

Website: N/A

How to get there: A 6 minute minute walk from Shinjuku Station, Central West Exit on the JR Line.

 

With two Shanghai-based cocktail clubs claiming spaces on Asia’s 50 Best Bars already under his belt, in 2019 Japanese bartender Shingo Gokan finally launched his first solo project on home turf. After debuting at No.13, The SG Club moves up No.9 in 2020, earning the title of The Best Bar in Japan, sponsored by Nikka Whisky. Emphasising a fusion of Japanese and American bartending styles, and incorporating unsung flavour combinations using ingredients from all over the world, The SG Club, which stands for “Sip” and “Guzzle”, claims two floors, with slightly different drinking experiences offered on each. At Guzzle, upstairs, guests sip drinks such as the Banana Daiquiri within a pub-like space, while downstairs at Sip, an industrial aesthetic and jazz set the tone for more spirit-forward intoxicants, such as the LOL, built with aged Scotch, aged plum liqueur, and melon.

Summary Credit: Worlds 50 Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

Address: 1 Chome-7-8 Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan

Hours: 5pm - 1am

Website: http://sg-management.jp/

How to get there: An 11 minute minute walk from Shibuya Station, Hachiko Exit on the JR Line.

 

It's high fives all round for this sleek, low-lit bar, which has received widespread acclaim thanks to the drive of owner Hidetsugu Ueno. A move to new (larger) premises in 2017 has done nothing to dampen the bartender's fire with the same inspired approach to cocktails, plus a 200-strong whisky list that wins praise from across the region. Ueno's Bellinis, Singapore Slings, Martinis and his signature White Lady remain a benchmark, while classics such as Ceremony – J's whisky, green tea liqueurs, and matcha bitters – and Bamboo are as popular as ever.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds 50 Best Bars

Address: B1F, Efflore Ginza5 Bldg, 5 Chome−4−15, Ginza, Chuo City, 104-0061 Tokyo, Japan

Hours: Closed every Sunday, 5pm - 11:30pm

Website: https://www.barhighfive.com/

How to get there: A 7 minute minute walk from Yurakucho Station, Central Exit on the JR Line

 

The dapper bartenders at this back-alley speakeasy are dab hands at traditional absinthe and sugar cube drips, but also showcase the 'green fairy' in cocktails such as a 'frappe' with lime, orgeat syrup and mint. If psychedelic aniseed-flavored spirits are not your thing, there are plenty of other imaginative mixes on offer. Try the Dark Side of the Moon – a smoky mule variation with mezcal, picon, house ginger cordial, lime and charcoal inspired by the famous Pink Floyd song.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Asia Bars and Restaurants

Address: 1F, 1-5-8 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0021, Japan

Hours: 6pm - 1am, everyday

Website: http://small-axe.net/bar-trench/

How to get there: A 5 minute minute walk from Ebisu Station, West Exit on the JR Line

 

When you descend the narrow wooden staircase into the dimly lit Star Bar in Tokyo’s Ginza district, you will immediately be struck by the attentive service and holistic experience on offer. The ambience in this bar in Tokyo is on the quiet side, and while the bartenders’ proper dress suggests formality, the welcoming atmosphere and gentle murmur of conversation create a space that is both relaxed and intimate. Meanwhile, the curved brown leather sofas and Victorian-style ceilings and wallpaper suggest a nostalgia for a slower time.

Once you have been led to your seat, you are likely to receive a hot hand towel and an amuse-bouche while you settle in. In the Japanese tradition, there is no menu, so a bartender will ask what you like and take it from there. This Tokyo bar’s specialty lies in rare Japanese whisky so request a cocktail built from a whisky base to receive something extra special. The knowledgeable bar staff will suggest and create bespoke potions according to your tastes. The attention to detail and precision cocktail making hail from the bar’s owner, Hisashi Kishi, award-winning bartender extraordinaire.

The meticulousness of these cocktail masters is exemplified by the bar’s insistence on serving drinks with their so-called ninja ice, a cube that is so glossy and clear that you cannot see it in the glass, and so slow melting that it does not dilute your drink. For concoctions so precisely mixed and brewed you will inevitably pay a premium, so attend with an open mind for appreciating potions and cocktail craftsmanship to get the best value for money.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds Best Bars website

Address: Sankosha Building B1F 1-5-13 Ginza 104-0061 Chūō-ku

Hours: 5pm - 12am, everyday

Website: https://www.worldsbestbars.com/bar/tokyo/city-center/star-bar-ginza/

How to get there: A 5 minute minute walk from Yurakucho Station, Kyobashi Exit on the JR Line

 

Located by the chic Aoyama neighborhood, just a stone’s throw away from Shibuya station, INC cocktails is a music bar that’s straight out of a vinyl enthusiast’s dream. The corner booth by the bar is lined with shelves carrying over 2000 vintage records. The sound system is vintage as well, with some very rare and sought-after items in the setup (Altec pre-amp, power amp and speakers, Garrard 401 turntables, Gray Research 208 tonearms, Shure N3D cartridge and Urei 1620 mixer, for the curious music nerds reading us). All this makes for the kind of listening experience you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in Tokyo. Music-wise, the selection is sharp and eclectic, ranging from jazz and soul to pop, with some real gems in the collection.

Set up in a large basement, the venue’s ample seating space and subdued lighting make it perfect for a cool first date or fun after dinner drink. Open every day until 3AM, this haven for the neighborhood’s night owls always has something going on. The entertainment never disappoints: INC cocktails brings excellent local and international talents behind the booth several evenings a week. The bar also hosts monthly DJ events called COCKTAILS PARTY – these are invitation only, so make sure you snag your spot. 

Drink-wise, INC cocktails has over 100 bottles of the highest quality spirits, liqueurs, and original blended whisky. As expected, the craft cocktails are delicious and perfectly balanced. We love their signature PATRICIA, a smooth and vivid concoction made with Olmeca Altos Plata, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, yuzu vinegar, egg white, garnished with rosemary and pink pepper. To keep things as exciting in your glass as in your ears, the menu also highlights a new original creation each month.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Address: B1F, 1-5-6, Sibuya, Shibuya-ku, 150-0002 Tokyo

Hours: 7pm -3am everday

Website: http://www.bar-inc.co.jp/

How to get there: A 10 minute walk from Shibuya Station, East Exit on the JR Line

 

Step into Sakuraï and you are instantaneously met with an abundance of light and contemporary fixtures. You might be forgiven for thinking you’re gracing a Manhattan kitchen and not one of Tokyo’s most esteemed, albeit up-to-the-minute, teahouses. Advertised as a tea experience, this exquisitely finished café only seats a few people and puts an emphasis on personal familiarity. As you seat yourself at the black, marble island you can sample the best Japanese tea in a stylish but relaxed setting as you’re taken on a journey of this iconic beverage.

The eponymously named store is the brain child of Shinya Sakuraï who studied for over a decade to cement his knowledge of tea. Sakuria personally takes customers through some of the most famed Japanese teas which have historically been used for medicinal purposes. The high-quality teas are elegantly lined up and you can opt to taste them individually or enjoy the tasting course, compromising five different teas, curated by Sakuria himself. Tea is more than a drink here; it’s an art form. The water is cooled to a specific temperature to perfectly brew each variety, enhancing its taste and maximizing its medicinal properties.

A must try when you visit Sakuraï is Gyokuro – regarded as one of the most lavish teas native to Japan. The unmistakable notes of umami are Gyokuro’s defining feature. Teas can be served at different strengths to adhere to personal palates and used as quasi-liquor when mixed with juices and other ingredients to make innovative tea cocktails. Local Japanese snacks are perfectly matched with the beverages and you can even eat the leaves which are akin to flavorsome spinach. To finish your visit to Sakuraï, sip on one of the vodka and rum infused teas which are blended to perfection and offer a new take on this favorite breakfast beverage.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Address: Japan, 〒107-0062 Tokyo, 港区Minamiaoyama, 5 Chome−6−23 スパイラルビル5F Tokyo

Hours: 11am - 8pm everday

Website: http://www.sakurai-tea.jp/

How to get there: A 3 minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit B3 on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line

 

Japanese whisky has been growing in popularity over the past few years, its elegance and perfectly blended aromas cementing its reputation as one of the very best in the world. It’s only natural, then, that when in Tokyo, you want to sample as many references as possible. To get the most out of the experience, look no further than Shinjuku Whisky Salon. Owned by well-known whisky expert Kazunori Shizuya, this Shinjuku bar is heaven for the whisky connoisseur, but it is also a welcoming space for the whisky beginners to get acquainted with the fascinating world of malt.

The spacious lounge is warm and cozy, with soft candlelight and mellow tunes playing in the background. Whether you’re looking to have a quiet after dinner drink alone, on a date or with a small group of friends, this place will make you feel right at home. The bar offers a wide range of whiskies from around the world, but the main draw here are the exceptional local bottles. Sourced from a myriad of distilleries all over Japan, both established and new, some are limited edition and nearly impossible to find elsewhere.

A tasting menu is a great place to start, allowing you to discover and sample a few labels under the guidance of the friendly and knowledgeable staff. After that, why not indulge in a delicious Japan inspired whisky cocktail? Whisky Salon calls them Whisktails, and they’re the bar’s specialty. In the words of Shizuya-san: “Since whisky is already perfect for serving on its own, it is not easy to make it even better by mixing it with other ingredients. It is challenging for the bartenders, so I always keep two points in my mind. First: never kill the taste of the whisky itself. Second: respect the whisky and the people behind the craft.”. All the Whisktails on the menu are conceived bearing these points in mind. First, Shizuya tastes the whisky and keeps the tasting notes in his notebook. Then, he chooses the mixers based on the commonality they share with the aroma or flavor of the whisky (e.g. citrus-based mixers if the whisky has a citrus note), or on the hints he collected from the whisky’s origin story. We love the LourSide Boulevardier, made with 12 year-old Aberlour, Campari, Carpano Antica Formula vermouth, Hassaku Rocks, orange bitters, and served with an orange peel garnish.

The bar also offers delicious bar snacks, but we recommend you save room for the whisky and chocolate pairing, which is another house specialty. Crafted by local Atelier Airgead, each chocolate has a distinctive flavor that comes alive when tasted alongside whisky. The shop has also custom created 7 official chocolates for the bar, each of them infused with a different whisky, resulting in a truly unique taste.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Address: 3-12-1, Shinjuku-ku, 160-0022 Tokyo

Hours: 5pm - 2am everday

Website: http://www.shinjukuwhiskysalon.tokyo/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, South East Exit on the JR Line

 

Kamiya Bar opened up in 1880 and is the first western style bar in Japan. Their special house drink, Denki Bran (Electric brandy), has been served here for over a century. Its a mix of brandy, gin, vodka, curacao, herbs and other secret recipes to make this tasty alcoholic drink. It use to have a 45% percent alcohol content back in the day, but has been dropped down in recent times. You can order two different Denki Brans, one with 40% or one with 30% alcohol content. But beware, its tasty and cheap (about 2 US Dollars for a generous pour) so choose wisely!

Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Hours: Closed Tuesday, 11:30am - 10pm Monday-Saturday

Website: http://www.kamiya-bar.com/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Asakusa Station, Exit 3 on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line

 

Jeremiah Tokyo is a stylish hidden bar in Shinjuku that takes you straight back to great 19th century New York. A well-known flair bar in Tokyo, the venue takes its name from Jeremiah “Jerry” Thomas himself. This iconic American bartender was known for his showmanship, and his pioneering work in popularizing cocktails across the U.S. made him known as “the father of American mixology”. Jeremiah Tokyo opened in 2018 on December 15th, the anniversary of Thomas’s passing, as a tribute to the legend’s legacy.

The cozy lounge’s old-timey decor is on point, from the shiny brass counter and shelves lining the brick back wall to the vintage framed posters, right down to the elegant engraved glasses. Comfortable, inviting and with a great atmosphere, this is the perfect spot to take your date for a memorable after dinner drink and cocktail show. The bar is headed by cocktail champion Hiroshi Ichikawa, a star mixologist in Tokyo specialized in craft flair. You won’t be able to take your eyes off of his incredible performance, it’s simply a joy to watch him work.

The impressive cocktail menu features tried and true classics as well as innovative twists and original creations. Each drink comes served with a side of background history courtesy of your bartender, which adds a special touch to the experience. For something refreshing and fruity, try the crimson-colored Story Reviver, with Monkey 47, Lillet Blanc, absinthe, prosecco cordial, fresh raspberry puree and lemon. Or let yourself be guided towards a cocktail that’s exactly to your liking. To soak everything up, don’t hesitate to order a snack or two from the delicious bar food menu.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Zoom Life Tokyo

Address: 5-4-1 Shinjuku (1F Q Flat Building), Shinjuku-ku, 160-0022 Tokyo

Hours: Closed Sundays, 3pm - 11:30pm Monday-Saturday

Website: https://jeremiah-tokyo.business.site/

How to get there: A 6 minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station, Exit 3 on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line