Source: jit bag
What could be the best way to see the authentic side of a city than to visit the places where the locals like to hang out – the bars and the nightclubs. And Shibuya is just the place you’d like to be, when the lights are out. Shibuya has definitely some great jaw-dropping options, when it comes to strong drinks and live jazz.
1. Fujiya Honten
Located a mere three-minute walk from Shibuya Station, this iconic 130-year-old underground bar offers an extensive list of wines, delicious food, and a location which is favorite among locals and visitors alike. The place has managed to keep its retro vibe intact, unlike other drinking establishments in the area. This is the place where you drop by for a glass of wine and end up drinking for hours, making new friends at the bar.
Information
- Name: Fujiya Honten
- Address: 2-3 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0031
- Access: short walk from Shibuya Station
2. The Aldgate
From the comfy dark wood paneling to the no-smoking policy, from an exquisite collection of draft beer to the delicious vegetarian food, The Aldgate is one of the very few places that makes you feel right at home. Above all, the extensive music collection here stretches to over 6,000 classic albums, mostly vinyl, with Rock LPs & CDs at your disposal.
Information
- Name: THE ALDGATE British Pub
- Address: 3F, 30-4 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hour: Mon-Fri 18:00-02:00; Sat, Sun 17:00-02:00
- Website: http://www.the-aldgate.com/
3. Ishino Hana
It’s a treat to the eyes watching the owner Shinobu Ishigaki creates an array of seasoned cocktails at the beautiful Ishino Hana Bar. His hands move like a drummer as he wields cocktails one after another at a phenomenal speed. The glasses in the bar are a work of art in themselves too. The entire menus here are devoted to just martinis and mojitos, including Ishigaki’s award-winning Claudia and Polar Star.
Information
- Name: Ishino Hana Bar
- Address: B1F, 3-6-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hour: Mon-Sat 18:00-02:00
- Website: http://ishinohana.com/
4. Fuglen Tokyo
Source: Khamis Hammoudeh
It’s a café-cum-bar, which sells tea and some remarkably good coffee during the daytime and transforms into a retro bar at evenings, serving Japanese and Norwegian craft beers, plus nice cocktails. A truly wonderful place, with warm, relaxing vintage furnishings, Fuglen is a perfect addition to this happening neighborhood.
Information
- Name: Fuglen Tokyo
- Address: 1-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hour: Mon, Tue 08:00-22:00; Wed, Thu 08:00-01:00; Fri 08:00-02:00; Sat 10:00-02:00; Sun 10:00-01:00
5. Ahiru Store
Source: Bit Boy
The Ahiru Store is a small wine bar and restaurant at the far end of the long Tomigaya shopping street. This corner bar specializes in natural wines, while the kitchen also serves excellent rustic breads, homemade sausages and salads. The bar is run by a sibling duo – the brother manages the wine list, and the sister bakes the bread and takes care of the food. Reservations close at 6:30 PM. So, either get there on time or be prepared to wait.
Information
- Name: Ahiru Store
- Address: 1-19-4 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening hour: Mon-Fri 18:00-00:00, Sat 15:00-21:00
6. Goodbeer Faucets
ร้านนี้จ้างเคธี่ เพอร์รี่ มาเสิร์ฟเบียร์.. #GoodBeerFaucets #Shibuya pic.twitter.com/5vYcfITm7I
— (･_-｡ ) (@YYOOBBUUNN) May 4, 2016
Decorated with brewery memorabilia, this pleasant little space occupies a prime space just across the street from the Bunkamura in central Shibuya. The bar boasts of a state-of-art tap system, with more than forty beers on draft, focusing mainly on Japanese and American imports. There always seems to be a decent mix of styles in the bar, with micros coming from a variety of brewers.
Information
- Name: Goodbeer Faucets
- Address: Shibuya Crossroad Building 2F, 1-29-1 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening Hour: Mon-Thu 17:00-00:00, Fri 17:00-03:00, Sat 13:00-00:00, Sun 13:00-23:00
- Website: http://goodbeerfaucets.jp/
7. Trump Room
Source: rei hardt
Despite the fact that the drinks at Trump Room are reasonably priced, the club is packed almost every weekend. Hundreds of chandeliers and glitter balls, transparent glass flowers and mirrors on the walls give the club a cool laid back vibe. The moment you walk in, you’ll be instantly taken away by the pretty fairytale setting.
Information
- Name: Trump Room
- Address: 301, 1-12-14 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
8. Bello Visto
The 40th-floor Bello Visto on the Cerulean Tower offers a panoramic view of the Shinjuku skyline, making up for a perfect setting to enjoy your evening with a posh cocktail. The bar serves a rich selection of wines, plus a significant collection of expensive tipples from all over the world. As one would guess from the luxe-hotel vibe, drinks are a bit pricey but totally worth it.
Information
- Name: Bello Visto
- Address: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel 40F, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening Hour: Mon-Fri 16:00-01:00; Sat, Sun 13:30-01:00
9. Unit
A medium-sized basement club that hosts everything from cutting edge DJs to Japanese indie-rock bands to live music performances. Sparkling light shows, overcrowded dance floor and the live scene make Unit one of the coolest nightspots in Tokyo. It’s definitely a must-visit for those who would like to grab a drink from the bar and hit the dance floor.
Information
- Name: Unit
- Address: Za House Bldg, 1-34-17 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
10. Bar Trench
Tucked amid the laid back neighborhood of Ebisu, not so far from the station, Bar Trench stocks a wide range of herbal delights, liqueurs like Chartreuse and Picon, and an amazing assortment of cocktails with absinthe. The most appealing element is the interior which brags a Parisian vibe and a pleasing environment to enjoy the spectacular evening.
Information
- Name: Bar Trench
- Address: 1F, 1-5-8 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Opening Hour: Mon-Sat 19:00-02:00, Sun 18:00-01:00
Shibuya is definitely one of Tokyo’s most colorful districts with a remarkable nightlife that turn your evening cocktail into something more soulful. The bars here are a haven for night owls and music aficionados. The notion, “if it’s worth doing, it is worth doing right” only adds to the spectacular scene of Shibuya nightlife.
Have a good trip and travel!
