34 upscale rooms in Tokyo, editor-picked. occasion rooms in Tokyo: destination kitchens for celebrations and visits. All Tokyo food.
Bar High Five ★ 4.8
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Bar High Five in Tokyo's Ginza is Hidetsugu Ueno's basement cocktail counter, World's 50 Best Bars 2011-2023. Hand-cut ice, custom drinks to your taste.
Tip: Cover charge is 1,000 yen with snacks. Open Mon-Sat from 17:00, closed Sundays and national holidays; arrive early for a seat at the counter.
SG Club ★ 4.8
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan
SG Club in Tokyo's Jinnan is Shingo Gokan's two-floor cocktail bar, Asia's 50 Best No. 9 in 2023. Order the showa-era cocktails on the two floors.
Tip: Reservations advised for Friday and Saturday. The sip floor is the quieter calmer counter.
Gen Yamamoto ★ 4.8
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0045, Japan
Gen Yamamoto in Tokyo's Azabu-Juban serves an eight-seat seasonal cocktail tasting flight only. Four or six courses of seasonal-ingredient cocktails, no food.
Tip: Two seatings nightly; phone or email reservation only. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Strict no-phone policy at the counter.
Yakiniku Jumbo Shirokane ★ 4.7
shirokane · Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0072, Japan
Yakiniku Jumbo Shirokane in Tokyo is the wagyu yakiniku counter that the city's chefs eat at on days off. Hand-cut Chateaubriand sukiyaki is the signature.
Tip: Phone reservation only, 30 days ahead. The Hongo and Hanare branches share the same kitchen team.
Yakitori Omino ★ 4.7
meguro · Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0021, Japan
Yakitori Omino in Tokyo's Meguro is the one-Michelin-star yakitori counter where Akihiro Omino grills jidori chicken over binchotan in a hidden basement.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reserve through Pocket Concierge two months ahead; dinner only.
Star Bar Ginza ★ 4.7
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Star Bar Ginza in Tokyo's Ginza is Hisashi Kishi's pressed-tin temple of classic cocktail technique since 2000. The Sidecar is the order on a first visit.
Tip: Cover charge applies. Wear smart casual; phone reservations are accepted but the standing space at the counter turns fast.
Bar Trench ★ 4.7
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
Bar Trench in Tokyo's Ebisu-Nishi is the absinthe and classic-cocktail counter Rogerio Igarashi Vaz opened in 2010. Asia's 50 Best Bars, back-alley den.
Tip: Reserve for groups; the back-room booth is the prized seat. Cash and cards. Open Sun-Thu to 02:00, Fri-Sat to 03:00.
Zoetrope Shinjuku ★ 4.7
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Zoetrope in Tokyo's Nishi-Shinjuku is Atsushi Horigami's whisky bar specializing in Japanese spirits. Three-hundred bottles and silent black-and-white film.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reservation by phone; the by-the-glass list rotates with each visit.
Bar BenFiddich ★ 4.7
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Bar BenFiddich in Tokyo's Nishi-Shinjuku is Hiroyasu Kayama's apothecary-style cocktail bar. Herbs from his own farm, fresh-muddled and tea-steeped each pour.
Tip: Reservation by phone strongly recommended. The herb-and-vegetable garden menu is the canonical flight.
Ahiru Store ★ 4.7
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan
Ahiru Store in Tokyo's Tomigaya is sommelier Teruhiko Saito's natural-wine counter, sister Wakako's bread on the side. The 12-seat room queues from 18:00.
Tip: No reservations after 18:30; arrive at 18:00 for the second seating or before opening for the first.
Winestand Waltz ★ 4.7
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
Winestand Waltz in Tokyo's Ebisu-Nishi is the cellar-bar that built Tokyo's natural-wine ritual. Standing-counter only, 30 by-the-glass pours, no reservation.
Tip: No reservations. Walk-in standing room only; arrive by 19:00 for a counter spot.
Asakusa Imahan Honten ★ 4.6
asakusa · Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0035, Japan
Asakusa Imahan Honten in Tokyo's Nishi-Asakusa has cooked sukiyaki tableside in private tatami rooms since 1895. Wagyu sirloin, kimono-clad attendants.
Tip: Reservations strongly recommended. Lunch from 11:30, dinner from 17:00; private rooms only.
The Aviary Tokyo ★ 4.6
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
The Aviary Tokyo in Tokyo's Nishi-Shinjuku is the Tokyo outpost of Chicago's Alinea Group. Multi-course cocktail-and-food pairings in avant-garde format.
Tip: Reservation only via Tock; courses run two to three hours. Closed irregular days; check the calendar.
Tokyo Whisky Library ★ 4.6
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Tokyo Whisky Library in Tokyo's Aoyama holds 1,200 whiskies, the largest English-friendly whisky bar in the city. Yamazaki, Hakushu, all the Scotch.
Tip: Reservation strongly advised. Tasting flights cover Japanese, Scotch and Irish; the rare-Japanese collection is the standout.
Bar Orchard Ginza ★ 4.6
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
Bar Orchard Ginza in Tokyo is Takuo Miyanohara's fresh-fruit-only cocktail bar. Whatever seasonal fruit hangs over the counter becomes that night's pour.
Tip: Reservation by phone. Closed Sundays. Cocktails are bartender's-choice from the fruit lineup.
The Bellwood ★ 4.6
Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
The Bellwood in Shibuya is Atsushi Suzuki's Taisho-era cafe-themed cocktail bar in Tokyo, kaiseki-as-cocktail menu, hidden 12-piece omakase counter at back.
Tip: Reserve via TableCheck; the kaiseki cocktail set takes 90 minutes. Closed Tuesdays.
Bar Tram ★ 4.5
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0021, Japan
Bar Tram in Tokyo's Ebisu-Nishi is the sister bar to Bar Trench, on the same back alley. Absinthe-and-herb cocktail focus, dimmer brick room than Trench.
Tip: Open daily 19:00-03:00. Smaller and more intimate than Trench; walk-ins welcome.
Bar Sunface ★ 4.5
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0004, Japan
Bar Sunface in Tokyo's Yotsuya is master Yamamoto Manabu's rum-focused bar. 1,200 rums by the bottle, cocktails and tasting flights of aged Caribbean spirits.
Tip: Closed Sundays. Reservation by phone advised; the staff guide every flight.
New York Bar Park Hyatt ★ 4.5
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-1055, Japan
New York Bar Park Hyatt in Tokyo Shinjuku is the 52nd-floor jazz bar from Lost in Translation. Live music nightly, panoramic Mount Fuji views on clear days.
Tip: Cover charge after 20:00. Reserve a window table for sunset; jazz starts at 20:00.
Peter Bar at Peninsula ★ 4.5
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
Peter Bar at Peninsula Tokyo is the 24th-floor cocktail bar overlooking the Imperial Palace gardens. Modern classics with Asian flavours, red lacquer.
Tip: Reserve a window seat at sunset; closed Sunday for renovation through mid-2026. Live music Thursdays and Saturdays.
Gold Bar at EDITION ★ 4.5
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
Gold Bar at Tokyo EDITION Toranomon is a Golden Age cocktail room above the city, classic Martini and Manhattan rebuilds, Japanese spirits as the base notes.
Tip: Open daily 17:00-01:00; window seats face Toranomon Hills and Tokyo Tower.
Wineshop Flow ★ 4.5
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0066, Japan
Wineshop Flow in Tokyo's Hatagaya is a cellar-bar behind the station, blond timber with a porthole-shaped cellar door. Natural wines and natural sake.
Tip: Drop in for a glass and a bottle to take home; the small plates are Japanese-seasonal, perfect for two.
Fuglen Tokyo (late) ★ 4.4
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan
Fuglen Tokyo in Tomigaya turns into a Scandinavian cocktail bar after 19:00. Norwegian-trained bartenders, vintage Scandi furniture (all for sale).
Tip: Open until 01:00 Wed-Sun. The aquavit Old Fashioned is the move; Mondays and Tuesdays close at 23:00.
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane) ★ 4.4
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan
Omoide Yokocho in Tokyo's Shinjuku is the post-war yakitori alley north of the west exit, 70 tiny eateries seating six to eight. Highballs and meat.
Tip: Most stalls open from 17:00; weekend nights are tight. Bring cash and a willingness to share a counter.
Bar Leopard ★ 4.4
Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
Bar Leopard in Tokyo Andaz Toranomon is the 51st-floor cocktail bar with skyline views and a 200-label spirits shelf. Hotel-bar polish, top bartenders.
Tip: Reserve a window-side counter seat at sunset. Open daily 17:00-24:00.
Memento Mori ★ 4.4
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0032, Japan
Memento Mori in Tokyo's Shimokitazawa is the cinema-inspired cocktail bar with a projector running silent movies. Modern cocktails, low-lit film-club.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Walk-in welcome; the back-room is the calmer seating after 21:00.
Fuglen Tokyo (evenings) ★ 4.4
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan
Fuglen Tokyo in Tokyo's Tomigaya flips at 19:00 from Norwegian cafe to natural wine and cocktail bar. The vintage Scandinavian furniture stays the same.
Tip: Weekday late seating after 21:00 is the calmest window. Cocktails are champion-level under bartender Halvor Digernes.
Senrogiwa ★ 4.4
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0022, Japan
Senrogiwa in Tokyo's Ebisu-Minami is an izakaya-DJ-bar hybrid above the tracks near Garden Place. Natural wines, yakiton skewers, 90s vinyl on the decks.
Tip: Saturday nights tilt DJ-set late; arrive by 19:00 for the dinner-shaped first seating.
Apero Wine Bar Aoyama ★ 4.4
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Apero in Aoyama in Tokyo is the Dupeperier family wine bar opened 2014, natural French selection shortlisted by Simon Bianco, family-recipe bistro plates.
Tip: Reserve via the official site for the counter; bottle list rotates seasonally.
Le Cabaret Vin ★ 4.4
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan
Le Cabaret Vin in Tokyo's Yoyogi is sommelier-couple Suzuki's natural-wine bar near Shinjuku. Twenty by-the-glass pours, candle-lit standing-and-sitting room.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Walk-in friendly; arrive before 20:00 for counter seats.
Bistro Rojiura ★ 4.4
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0024, Japan
Bistro Rojiura in Tokyo's Sangenjaya is the back-alley wine bar pouring natural Beaujolais and Loire. Long communal counter and Japanese-French bistro plates.
Tip: Closed Mondays. The pate en croute and the Beaujolais cru flight are the canonical pair.
Shinjuku Golden Gai ★ 4.3
Tokyo 160-0021, Japan
Shinjuku Golden Gai in Tokyo's Kabukicho is six narrow alleys of 200 themed bars, each seating four to ten guests. Music, film, literature, every micro-genre.
Tip: Many bars charge a 500-1,500 yen seating fee. Look for English-friendly signs or guided tours after 21:00.
Shibuya Cheese Stand ★ 4.3
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0047, Japan
Shibuya Cheese Stand in Tokyo's Okushibu makes mozzarella and burrata on-site each morning and pours Italian wines to match. The wine flight is the order.
Tip: The 5pm fresh mozzarella batch is the one to time it for. Reserve online to avoid the wait.
Trader Vic's Tokyo ★ 4.2
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8578, Japan
Trader Vic's Tokyo at Hotel New Otani is the only surviving Asian outpost of the Trader Vic's tiki chain. Mai Tais, Polynesian decor, hotel-bar polish.
Tip: Reserve for the polynesian dinner menu; bar seating walks in fine.