5 editor picks in Tokyo.
5 late-night dives in Tokyo our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Tokyo nightlife.
Albatross G in Tokyo's Golden Gai is the goth-leaning bar on the 5th alley, chandeliers and taxidermy, three small floors, English-friendly.
TipSeating fee 500-700 yen, drinks from 600 yen. The roof floor is the quietest; arrive before 22:00 for a stool.
Death Match in Hell in Golden Gai is the metal-and-horror bar covered wall-to-wall in posters, VHS, and figures. Owner Go speaks English and runs B-grade.
TipNo cover charge; drinks 600-900 yen. Six seats; if it's full, walk the alley and try the next door.
La Jetee in Tokyo's Golden Gai has been Tomoyo Kawai's eight-seat film-buff bar for four-plus decades. Named for Chris Marker, French-speaking host.
TipCover charge applies; cash only. Climb the narrow stairs to the second floor at Hanazono 3-ban-gai; tiny room, expect to share.
The Open Book in Tokyo's Golden Gai is Kai Tanaka's lemon-sour specialist on the 5th alley, opened 2015. Books wall-to-wall from the owner's late grandfather.
TipThe signature lemon sour uses Hiroshima lemons and brown sugar shochu. No cover, cash easiest; six seats, walk-in only.
Donzoko in Tokyo's Shinjuku Sanchome is the dive izakaya bar that opened in 1951. Mishima and Kurosawa drank here; the Showa-era counter and side rooms run.
TipCash easiest; the sake menu is the move, ask for a tokkuri pairing. Tucked off Suehiro Street, look for the small lantern.
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