Albatross G in Tokyo's Golden Gai is the goth-leaning bar on the 5th alley, chandeliers and taxidermy, three small floors, English-friendly.
Tip: Seating 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.
Tip: No 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.
Tip: Cover 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.
Tip: The signature lemon sour uses Hiroshima lemons and brown sugar shochu. No cover, cash easiest; six seats, walk-in only.